ZWookie
New Member
Ok to start a short story from someone relatively new to the inner workings of a Jeep. I bought my 2006 Liberty Renegade about two years ago already with 3" poly spaces. Looks and at least conceptually sounded great.
Fast forward to 3 months ago I hit a pothole on I-65 in Indiana and to the best of my knowledge that was the start of my problems. The driver side strut mount blew out the bushing. Drove with that for a while until I did enough research and picked up a haynes manual and decided the easiest cheapest option was to rebuild the assembly with a new mount. Completed and seemed fine. At the same time I also did the lower ball joint and about a week later wheel bearing assemblies on both sides.
My camber was off for a while and when I went for alignment they told me I needed new upper control arms and passenger side lower CA. Admittedly when I did the shock rebuild I noticed the upper ball joint was VERY sloppy. Naturally I held off on the shop recommendations. A week later driving home from work I made a very low speed right turn and my upper ball joint separated from the control arm and my tire dropped to about 30 degrees to the ground. Fun stuff right. A tow truck and dealer later I have new uppers.
Now here is the rub. I am told by the dealer I need new lower control arms. I think the shocks are bad. One way or another something is driving funky and base don what I read the spacers may be the root of the problem.
So I need new lowers and shocks I will assume and for the cost of dealer labor to do the lowers I can for a little more buy the shocks and do all the work myself.
The question now is asusming I buy OEM lower CAs what struts and springs should I get to keep it all level with the 3" poly spacers I have in the rear. I will rebuild the rear eventually but one at a time so front for now.
I get that I likely want OME or Ironman components. What I cant figure out is which models I want / need and more so what else I will need if I am to build them or where / what to get pre-assembled. It will definitely be used on and off road but primarily daily driver.
Thoughts and suggestions please
Thanks,
Josh
Fast forward to 3 months ago I hit a pothole on I-65 in Indiana and to the best of my knowledge that was the start of my problems. The driver side strut mount blew out the bushing. Drove with that for a while until I did enough research and picked up a haynes manual and decided the easiest cheapest option was to rebuild the assembly with a new mount. Completed and seemed fine. At the same time I also did the lower ball joint and about a week later wheel bearing assemblies on both sides.
My camber was off for a while and when I went for alignment they told me I needed new upper control arms and passenger side lower CA. Admittedly when I did the shock rebuild I noticed the upper ball joint was VERY sloppy. Naturally I held off on the shop recommendations. A week later driving home from work I made a very low speed right turn and my upper ball joint separated from the control arm and my tire dropped to about 30 degrees to the ground. Fun stuff right. A tow truck and dealer later I have new uppers.
Now here is the rub. I am told by the dealer I need new lower control arms. I think the shocks are bad. One way or another something is driving funky and base don what I read the spacers may be the root of the problem.
So I need new lowers and shocks I will assume and for the cost of dealer labor to do the lowers I can for a little more buy the shocks and do all the work myself.
The question now is asusming I buy OEM lower CAs what struts and springs should I get to keep it all level with the 3" poly spacers I have in the rear. I will rebuild the rear eventually but one at a time so front for now.
I get that I likely want OME or Ironman components. What I cant figure out is which models I want / need and more so what else I will need if I am to build them or where / what to get pre-assembled. It will definitely be used on and off road but primarily daily driver.
Thoughts and suggestions please
Thanks,
Josh