Tri-Link going bad if...

[TwoBobsKJ]

Hey all,

So I've had by OME/Bilstein lift on for about 3000 miles now (love it!) but I'm starting to notice some unusual reactions from the rear end.

On the highway the Libby is still as solid as ever thanks to the lift - runs straight, soaks up the tar strips, potholes, great ride. On side streets though I'm noticing that the rear end wants to 'slide' or wiggle to the side. It's almost as though the rear axle is moving side-to-side but I can't slide the Libby sideways by pushing on it when it's parked.

I thought at first one of the upper isolators had come down from the bumpstop and was at an angle to the spring - the rear feels almost too soft as though the coils aren't seated properly. But everything's intact.

Tri-Link maybe? Rear lower control arm bushings?

Specs:

*'03 Renegade 118,000 miles
*OME 927/948
*Bilstein Libby front, Dakota 4X4 pickup rear
*JBA 1/4" top plate, 3 conduit nuts front
*2 extra upper isolators rear
*Treadwright Pumas 245/75-16

Nothing worse than a squirrely rear end - if you know what I mean :happy175:

Bob

 

[tommudd]

Both can give you that same feel but more than likely its the LCAs
Mine did that when the bushings were bad
Of course I have had to replace both the tri-link and LCAs a couple of times

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

Both can give you that same feel but more than likely its the LCAs
Mine did that when the bushings were bad
Of course I have had to replace both the tri-link and LCAs a couple of times

Thanks Tom. So if the LCA bushings need replaced...Take off the arms and run them over to a shop to have the new ones pressed in? Is it that simple or am I missing something? Maybe go with new arms instead of just the bushings?

And by the way...My lift started out at 23 inches from hub to fender flare and the only settling has been on the front left. It's now just a hair over 22.5". Should I add a ring to the clevis to bring the left side back up or take a ring out of the right front to level things?

I got a full 4" when I lifted - was 19" all around pre-lift and I didn't do anything out of the ordinary. JBA top plate, 3 ring clevis, 2 extra upper isolators in the rear. Pretty happy with the height - just don't like the squirrely rear end...

Bob

 

[tommudd]

Thats pretty much it
The way I do them is
Jack it up and put jack stands under the axle
have them in far enough that you can get a socket on the bolt in the rear
remove the lower shock bolts and then the LCAs
passenger side is tight with the exhaust so be prepared to push it over out of the way to remove the front bolt on that side

As afr as the lift goes, yes each one does about the same on the drivers side, I have a 3/8 inch top plate on mine on that side a using 1/8 inch clevis on the right to level it out,
but then I am **** :shrug:about keeping it level and recheck and sometimes redo things every couple of weeks :smokin:

Oh and check the tri-link close, when my lowers went I think it helped tear up my tri-link also so had to replace it

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

Great info Tom - I'll dive under it this weekend and replace the LCA bushings. I've got a feeling the Tri-Link won't be far behind. It's due for replacement anyway I'm sure.

I understand the '****' approach to maintenance, looks, etc. :freak3: Nobody else I'm sure would notice 3/8" difference from side-to-side but I do. And if I want to tear it apart to add or remove an 1/8" conduit nut then that's my right! p:

Looking forward to doing some wheeling at an offroad park I discovered about 45 min away. I'll post pics & report...

Bob

 

[tommudd]

You going to where they used to have the Jeep Skool ? Or is there somewhere else over there now?
I have always thought that part of the old Ravenna Army Ammunition Plant would be a great place for an off road park. If I remember right there is over 21,000 acres there. has to be some cool areas to check out.

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

No, it's not the old Jeep Skool though I do want to check that place out this summer sometime. New operators who have made some changes. The one I found is down in Dover - they have Jeep/truck/SUV weekends (no 4 wheelers/quads) and pretty good variety of terrain.

The Arsenal would be awesome! But as far as I know the only public usage is deer hunting (some MAMMOTH deer at least by the pics I've seen) otherwise it's still off-limits. Yea, it's huge - takes a good 10-12 minutes to drive one side of it along Rt. 59. Makes ya wonder what's in there...? :freak3:

Bob

 

[tommudd]

No, it's not the old Jeep Skool though I do want to check that place out this summer sometime. New operators who have made some changes. The one I found is down in Dover - they have Jeep/truck/SUV weekends (no 4 wheelers/quads) and pretty good variety of terrain.

The Arsenal would be awesome! But as far as I know the only public usage is deer hunting (some MAMMOTH deer at least by the pics I've seen) otherwise it's still off-limits. Yea, it's huge - takes a good 10-12 minutes to drive one side of it along Rt. 59. Makes ya wonder what's in there...? :freak3:

Bob

OK yes saw the sign for it 2 weeks ago coming back up from down home.
I come up 77 Caldwell to Strasburg then run 250 to 30 etc or whichever way the wind takes me from there
So how far are you from Dover then?

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

I'm about 40 min north of Dover near the A/C airport in Hartville. So I'm about halfway between the old Jeep Skool and the place in Dover. I've thought about heading down to Wellsville but a couple of Jeep club members around here advised me to only go with larger groups - some 'interesting' characters tend to hang out there.

I used to spend time in Caldwell with neighbors who had a place down there. Did a lot of night time catfishing - hauled in some BIG channel cats from Seneca! :icon_surprised:

Bob