Hey all, I want to replace all my front suspension and steering components. My XJ does not hold an alignment for very long. I took it into a shop and they told me I basically need to replace everything (all control arms, tie rod, sway bar, pit man arm, etc.) if I want it to hold an alignment. They are right too. The bushings are all dry rotted. I have only had this Jeep about 6 months. The components are not in good shape. I don't think they have ever been replaced. I currently use this Jeep as a daily driver and I want to use it for some light trail riding. I don't plan to do any major rock crawling or mud bogging with it. Based on what I plan to use it for, I am looking for recommendations as to what I need to replace with upgrades versus what I can do an OEM replacement for? I'd like to upgrade some things, but I don't think I need to buy top of the line for all these things as I am not doing any hardcore off roading with it. And I don't have the money to be buying the top of the line parts for every steering and suspension component. What would you all recommend I get? Brands? Should I just get the OEM for everything? Maybe just upgrade the tie rod and replace everything else with OEM? Are the control arms more important? Upgrade those? It also has a 3.5 inch puck lift. Does this affect the type of parts I will need to buy? I am very new to this stuff, so anything helps. Thank you.

FYSA, it is a 2001 XJ, limited, 138K miles, 4x4

 

Do not buy one of those cheap eBay or Amazon kits that has everything in it for 150 bucks. They are junk.

Don't waste your money buying complete-with-bushings control arms. Buy new bushings for the control arms you have.

Having a 3 inch spacer lift in the front changes alot. You cannot keep everything OEM. Is the rear lifted?

 

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/attach...714_204321.jpg

 

Awesome, thanks for the tips and the chart. It is also lifted in the rear. 3.5" all the way around. It already had the lift when I bought it so I'm not sure what all they did or did not change according to this chart, but I'll definitely do some looking.

But you're saying I can just buy some new bushings for my current control arms and call those good? That's nice.

 

Do some research on how to adjust your lower control arm, staying stock you still have some adjust-ability using shims and your LCA frame side mount bracket. You will have to do a happy in between on target numbers for your pinion angle but it will give you a little better of a DD, and help with some drive line vibration.

 

For what its worth i wouldn't mess with stock control arms.

Pictures of steer components control arms etc would be nice.

Id probly recommend control arm drop brackets but it may already have them

 

This is the best I've got for any pictures right now. I'll try to get some more close ups soon.

 

You should start with ball joints, and IMO the best way to assess them is rip 'em out to check tightness (yeah OK that part was academic, but that's probably the major issue). Replace with Dana-Spicer, definitely not Moog. I use Moog for the tie rod ends, Crown control arms.

Make sure wheel bearings are good. May as well replace front universals while everything is apart.

 

Great, thanks. I just ordered new ball joints, u joints, bearings, and some other things. Do you think I should replace all the control arms or can I just get by with changing out the bushings?

 

Well, you could change out just the bushings if you have the tools to get it done... But I'm looking at Rockauto and the Moog upper control arms are $16 and the lowers are $35... So I guess it would depend on how you feel about the time and tools to get them pressed..

 

I use my keep in a similar way to your description. When I bought it, it also came with a 4” lift. It did have some beefy front end stuff too though.

As for alignments go I have learned that average shops don’t have a clue how to deal with lifted jeeps. And some 4x4 shops will just do it and not tell you it’s a mess. I now do it with two tape measures and some brackets I bolt to the rotors.

As for brands, my jeep came with roughcountry parts up front. They get some hate online but they have been good for me.

The RC track bar kit I added later was great to get rid of the stock heim joint. I also put in their adjustable lower control arms to help pinion angle. Also, the stock control arms look like they are made out of sheet metal. I don’t know how they take the abuse, even if normal driving. But now that I think about it, aren’t they making suspension parts out of plastic in some new cars? But anywhoo, ball joints are for sure always suspect.

 

For what its worth all alignment shops are average and 4wd drive shops have no clue on much of anything to do with a 4wd vehicle.

This is why i feel customers pain. Its pretty much a loseing situation when one pays to get any work done on theyre rig

For what its worth i wouldn'tmess with changing control arm bushings youl save tons if time and money over going jnsane attemptingto change bushings.

 

Rough country