Good morning folks. I have a 2002 WJ that I picked up about a year ago from the original owners, with 77,000 miles on it and very well maintained. It seems that they lived at the end of a rough old dirt road though, and drove that guy at mach 2 a couple of times a day. This thing now shakes and shimmies like a bowl of Jello at the smallest bump in the road. So, I'm getting ready to replace the coil springs in the next couple of weeks. I've never done a spring replacement before, but I'm not concerned with my ability to do it. I just don't know if there are other things that I should look at and/or definitely replace while I'm in the process. I'm going to replace the springs, shocks, and steering stabilizer, but should I look at rod ends or bushings or anything else? I just want to get this guy back to riding comfortably and not have to tear back into it in a couple of weeks to replace something else.

Thanks!!!

 

Just a suggestion, that shaking and shimmying is probably due to worn steering parts. Generally if you get "worn" coil springs it will just sit lower

 

So, it bottoms out and hits the bump stops on every bump of any consequence, and the front does the nose dive thing when I hit the brakes. It could be worn steering stuff too, but I'm pretty sure the springs are shot.

 

Well, then I see two separate issues. How are the shocks?

 

I think they're original too. I'm going to replace them at the same time.

 

There are shocks that are for riding smooth and performance shocks. It pays to do a little homework and decide what you want them to do

 

New springs and Monroe Sensatrac shocks. Then look at the lower control arm bushings on the axle ends. If those go, they will cause a sudden nosedive the instant you apply the brakes.
Monroe LCAs are guaranteed replacement for life, but after replacing them 3 times, I put Rusty's Offroad LCAs on mine. The same thing with the rears. If those wear out, the jeep will wag it's tail like a dog.