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Bikerjeepster64

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I recently picked up a 'new to me' 03 liberty (measures just under 4 inches lift from stock, middle of the hub to the bottom of the flare), and it seems I have clunk in the front end. Ball joints are good, everything seems tight. I've seen that many of you are running lifts that are similar height with no issues. Did you lower the diff? Any points to look at? Are the expensive heavy duty cv axles the trick? I love the stance, so I hate to drop it. Suggestions?

03 Liberty, 4 inch lift, 245/75/r17, 1 inch hub centric spacers
 

lfhoward

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Pics of the front suspension would help a lot. Can you tell what kind of lift it is? Even if brand is not obvious, is it taller spring or stock springs + spacers? Also, are the upper control arms stock or aftermarket?

Also, measuring from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the flare, front back & both sides will help us know exactly how much lift you have. Even lift springs that start out at 4” sag over time.
 

Bikerjeepster64

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Thanx for the reply. I'll get pics as soon as I figure out how to post them. (Camera file is too large)

The lift I know about for certain is a 2.5 spacer lift (supreme systems) that the previous owner told me about, but there is more in it than that.
I'll get the other measurements when it's not pouring, but the center of the hub to bottom of the fender flare is 22 inches on level ground. After talking to tech support at JBA, they say 22.5 is a 4 inch lift, which is what they say is the limit where the suspension works. Upper control arms appear to be moog replacement, as are all the tie rod ends, sway bar end links etc.
 

lfhoward

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You’ll probably come across conversations about lift kits as you do research. Pay particular attention to Tommudd’s recommendations because he has done 60+ lifts on Liberties so far. He knows what he is talking about when it comes to these Jeeps and lifts.

Something else that has me concerned is that the height you’re at requires a JBA upper control arm to be able to have a proper alignment. If I remember correctly the Moogs are basically the same geometry as stock. If the UCA’s are red with replaceable ball joints, there is a chance they are JBA units. If not, you could be banging your springs against the arms when the suspension flexes over bumps, which could be the noise you hear.
 

lfhoward

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In terms of pics, what I do is host them at postimages.org, which lets me shrink the size to 800x600 and then link to them here on the forum.
 

tommudd

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Thanx for the reply. I'll get pics as soon as I figure out how to post them. (Camera file is too large)

The lift I know about for certain is a 2.5 spacer lift (supreme systems) that the previous owner told me about, but there is more in it than that.
I'll get the other measurements when it's not pouring, but the center of the hub to bottom of the fender flare is 22 inches on level ground. After talking to tech support at JBA, they say 22.5 is a 4 inch lift, which is what they say is the limit where the suspension works. Upper control arms appear to be moog replacement, as are all the tie rod ends, sway bar end links etc.
First clue right there is a spacer lift and you're saying 4 inch which it is not
stock height is 19 inches so 3 inch lift, and with spacer lift JBA UCAs are needed due to the junk lift , lets the springs contact the UCAs and also sits them at a weird angle
22.5 in NOT a 4 inch lift 23 inches is 4 inch and I've ran 4.5 inch with no issues. Of course had smaller diameter springs with the JBA coilovers etc
You should be able to see if when jacking up the front if springs are contacting the UCAs with full droop
also whoever installed the lift must have used other things to lift the front, plus new springs of some kind , lots of red flags I can see without pictures even

This happens a lot, someone cobbles up a lift, doesn't work right so they unload it on some unsuspecting person for them to try and figure out. I'm also on the lookout for a good used 02-05 KJ but will not buy one with a spacer lift
Oh and back to spacers, most advertise 2.5 inches, that is with new springs , so reason why I say something else has been added
Oh and no to the question on HD CVs etc, that will not fix your problem

Is it at least regeared for the larger tires ????
 
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Bikerjeepster64

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So, it sounds like there are UCAs in my near future, followed by a new struts that are more appropriate. (I'll read the feed for suggestions, unless you feel like being super nice...lol) Eh, it's all good. Got it cheap enough that I figured if I had to do the whole front suspension I'd still be ok.

As for the hearing, jacked it up and turned the driveshaft. 4 turns to 1. So that's ok. Speedo is spot on...both measured mile and through a radar check.

Really appreciate the input.
 

tommudd

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So, it sounds like there are UCAs in my near future, followed by a new struts that are more appropriate. (I'll read the feed for suggestions, unless you feel like being super nice...lol) Eh, it's all good. Got it cheap enough that I figured if I had to do the whole front suspension I'd still be ok.

As for the hearing, jacked it up and turned the driveshaft. 4 turns to 1. So that's ok. Speedo is spot on...both measured mile and through a radar check.

Really appreciate the input.

To start you on the learning curve, we do not have struts on a Liberty we have coilover shocks. Struts are on vehicles that DO NOT have upper control arms , since we do, coilovers.
IF, and just a suggestion, if it was mine I would toss what you have, buy OME 927 front springs and either OME or Bilstein shocks , then you would have a place to start from and a soild starting point .
 

tommudd

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Thanx again. This first lifted IFS is going to be an adventure.
My first adventure into lifting IFS was in late 2004 when I bought the 04 brand new
promised my wife I would not change a thing LOL
Have been lifting 4x4s for over 40 years and to date over 60 KJs ( Libertys ) and some KKs
when you get into them I like lifting them better than some SFAs
 

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