Modified XJ Cherokee Tech XJ (84-01)
All modified tech questions. If it modifies your XJ beyond stock parts ask it here.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Rear axle when clearance.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 20, 2017 | 12:00 PM
  #1  
IonlyBuyJeep's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: La Mirada, Ca
Year: 200
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Default Rear axle uneven wheel clearance issue.

2000 Jeep Cherokee limited 4door 4x4 3inch procomp lift. I
just notice that my rear driver side tire is closer to the leaf spring than the rear passenger side tire. Anyone have any ideas why, and is it safe to Offroad in? Both sides have the same wheels and tires.

Last edited by IonlyBuyJeep; Jan 21, 2017 at 10:48 AM. Reason: Typo in subject.
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2017 | 12:30 PM
  #2  
oldguy52's Avatar
Seasoned Member
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 303
Likes: 2
From: Long Island, NY
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Take measurements on both sides from the spring perch to the backing plate.
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2017 | 02:26 PM
  #3  
IonlyBuyJeep's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: La Mirada, Ca
Year: 200
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Default

Originally Posted by oldguy52
Take measurements on both sides from the spring perch to the backing plate.
There's about a 1cm difference.

Last edited by IonlyBuyJeep; Jan 20, 2017 at 03:24 PM. Reason: Measured.
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2017 | 03:35 PM
  #4  
Jeepin'_Aint_EZ's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 5
From: Ocean County, NJ
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Pics! Are these brand new wheels and tires on there? Might want to double check them wheels. I've been guilty of this working in a shop doing plenty of lift kits with wheels and tires. One wheel boxed wrong but looks similar. Sucked. 37's arent fun to lift the few times it requires mounting and balancing... let alone doing it all over again.

Last edited by Jeepin'_Aint_EZ; Jan 20, 2017 at 03:39 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2017 | 04:48 PM
  #5  
IonlyBuyJeep's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: La Mirada, Ca
Year: 200
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Default

Originally Posted by Jeepin'_Aint_EZ
Pics! Are these brand new wheels and tires on there? Might want to double check them wheels. I've been guilty of this working in a shop doing plenty of lift kits with wheels and tires. One wheel boxed wrong but looks similar. Sucked. 37's arent fun to lift the few times it requires mounting and balancing... let alone doing it all over again.
Wheels: Stock 15inch both the same.
Tires: I just got new tires so.
Had -BFG All terrain 31x10..5r15
Now-COOPER DISCOVERER
STT PRO 30x9.5r15
I went thinner so I could fit snow chains but it didn't make a difference on the rear driver side.
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2017 | 08:24 PM
  #6  
Constantine's Avatar
Seasoned Member
 
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 373
Likes: 1
From: North Louisiana
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

I've noticed this issue with Dana 35 rear axles.
Have never measured from backing plate to spring perch on them though.
8.25 seems to be dead center though.
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2017 | 10:19 PM
  #7  
IonlyBuyJeep's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: La Mirada, Ca
Year: 200
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Default

Originally Posted by Constantine
I've noticed this issue with Dana 35 rear axles.
Have never measured from backing plate to spring perch on them though.
8.25 seems to be dead center though.
i have the D35 too. Interesting. Maybe it's supposed to be like that. I hope not though because that means I won't ever be to fit snow chains with using a spacer or wheel with negative offset/backspacing.
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2017 | 04:30 AM
  #8  
caged's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,874
Likes: 100
From: Northern Ontario, Canada
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

it is possible one rim has 3.75 backspacing while the other has 4.25
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2017 | 07:40 AM
  #9  
oldguy52's Avatar
Seasoned Member
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 303
Likes: 2
From: Long Island, NY
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Here's spacing on my parts XJ. Measured from head of backing plate bolt. If you're not seeing the same on both sides then wheel/spacer problem or maybe c-clip issue and your axle is walking.


Reply
Old Jan 21, 2017 | 10:47 AM
  #10  
IonlyBuyJeep's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: La Mirada, Ca
Year: 200
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Default

I'm pretty sure I figured it out. It looks like the bottom leaf spring is off center. It's actually messed up on both sides but more so on the driver side. The front of the rear driver side tire has more clearance than the rear of the tire. On the passenger side Its the same way but not as bad.

I'm pretty sure I need new springs.


Last edited by IonlyBuyJeep; Jan 21, 2017 at 11:39 AM. Reason: Added picture.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2017 | 01:30 PM
  #11  
Jeepin'_Aint_EZ's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 5
From: Ocean County, NJ
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

You need to tap that bottom leaf back in straight and tighten your ubolts. That is your problem.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2017 | 12:33 AM
  #12  
IonlyBuyJeep's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: La Mirada, Ca
Year: 200
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Default

Originally Posted by Jeepin'_Aint_EZ
You need to tap that bottom leaf back in straight and tighten your ubolts. That is your problem.
Does those being crooked mean something else could be wrong?
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2017 | 08:54 AM
  #13  
Jeepin'_Aint_EZ's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 5
From: Ocean County, NJ
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

No, it simply means your ubolts are loose. If your ubolts fail to hold torque you may need to replace them with new ones. They can stretch pretty good. I normally torque my ubolts by hand in an X pattern. This ensures they tighten evenly.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2017 | 05:13 PM
  #14  
IonlyBuyJeep's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: La Mirada, Ca
Year: 200
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Default

Originally Posted by Jeepin'_Aint_EZ
No, it simply means your ubolts are loose. If your ubolts fail to hold torque you may need to replace them with new ones. They can stretch pretty good. I normally torque my ubolts by hand in an X pattern. This ensures they tighten evenly.
oh ok cool. Good to know, thank you very much for the input.
I think this sight will come in handy.
http://www.torkspec.com/torkspecmm.aspx?KI=270
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2017 | 09:53 AM
  #15  
Jeepin'_Aint_EZ's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 5
From: Ocean County, NJ
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Yes, you should definitely torque your ubolts to spec. I've also seen guys use leaf spring retainers if they continue having problems with the leafs walking.


Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:07 PM.