Two months ago I purchased shackles and spacers for my stock 2001 jeep Cherokee xj. When I put on the rear shackles one up the leafs ended up bending downward. I had no choice but to buy new stock Leaf springs from quadratec. Unfortunately to my surprise they were out of stock from the big bushings so they only send me the smaller bushings for the leafs. I ended up paying $60 for the bushings at advanced auto parts. Plus another $50 at the stop to get them pressed in. So in total I spend about $350 for the rear leafs. Then I ended up getting the death wobble....,a month later after the lift the steering gear hoes out. In the process of replacing it I accidentally broke the little insert where the hose at the reservoir goes in on the p/s pump . Went to the junk yard to get a new reservoir....now my power steering squeaks like a mad women. Might have to replace the whole thing again. And now I'm getting horrible squeaks from the rear shackles.probably from the bushings. And still have to deal with the death wobble. I should've left it stock. All nice and healthy . It's my first time doing a baby lift.

 

Nah. Chalk it up to good mechanical lesson. You gain experience from it.

 

It seems to the common theme with Jeeps. You fix or change one thing, several others then need replacing. In the end, you will be a master mechanic, just enjoy the ride.

 

For $438 you could have bought a 3" lift full leafs/coil/shocks and hardware pkg. from Rustys all made in NA.

 

I bet that makes him feel better, lol.

Squeaky bushings should be expected. Squirt them down with a little lubricant and they'll stop squeaking. Curing Death Wobble��™ is obviously a bit more involved. I had it last year, spent hundreds replacing my track bar and bushings, upper and lower control arms and bushings, shocks, steering stabilizer, u-joints, and ball joints only to discover it was an out-of-balance tire causing it. Oh well, I needed new tires anyway. I've decided to use all the old parts to make artistic sculptures to give everyone for Christmas, since I don't have any money left.

 

LOL

 

It was my first time doing a lift kit on my own. Live and learn I guess.

 

I recently did the shackle/coil spacer lift too and I don't have any wobble. Although, I am planning on going bastard pack/V8 ZJ front coil to get me up to @ 3" soon...maybe I will not be so lucky then.

 

It didn't go perfectly for any of us the first time. Trust me. Your story is pretty tame compared to many I've read. Play your cards right and I might just send you a drag link made into a chuck wagon-style triangle dinner bell for Christmas. Convoluted name but a fun gift!

 

Cars are money pits!

 

I plan on putting in a 3" zone lift kit after Christmas. Nothing better than freezing your butt of lying on frozen garage floor. Webster Dictionary called they wanted my picture to put in under worst luck!