leaf springs weak?

[AKASHAJEEP]

alright I have a 96 cherokee sport and a pretty kick ass stereo. my box weights probably close to 125lbs with the subs and 3/4"mdf. not all that bad (i dont think)
well I am looking at some lift kits and all, so I went out to see what all i would be in for, and when i got to the back looking at the leafs I noticed that both are almost inverted. meaning that instead of them having a upsidedown arc (like they are soupposed to ) they are past the point of being flat.
i also noticed that they are very thin in material and am courious if this is a big issue of if I was to put a add a leaf kit on the back would it take care of that problem.
or would it be a lot better to get a set that has new leafs in it already.
my budget is like no more than $500 for the lift. has to have the trans drop kit, and at least 3" of lift.

 

[XJNick]

Hi,

Yes, the leaf springs can become flat or inverted due to old age, etc... :shock:

Don't use add-a-leafs with springs that are shot; they probably won't help much. Plus, for the hassle of taking apart the suspension, it's probably better to the replace the entire leaf springs and know the work will last. :mrgreen:

-Nick :!:

 

[AKASHAJEEP]

well i guess i am going to have to drop the money and get a lift kit with better quality leafs then do allcherolees come stock with such thin looking feals?
THX

 

[currupt4130]

go to www.rustysoffroad.com they do lots of xj stuff and its not expensive at all, very durable shit

 

[Chief_Cherokee]

I recently got the current leaf springs on my 96' cherokee re-arced, and had an extra leaf put in and it raised it about 3". Got it done at a spring shop, cost around 200 - 300 $. They are much stiffer now, and as yours mine were also almost inverted. Hope this helps.

Jason

 

[MudderChuck]

They are thinner than some, but wider than others. Replacing and or slightly rearching (back to stock) the longest leaf with the eyes and adding a full length (almost as long as the longest leaf) add a leaf, can give you a inch and half fairly cheap. The longest leaf, usually has most of the sag. A spacer or two in the front (if needed) to level the Jeep.
If your planning on going to a tire (taller than 30"), your probably gonna need the new spring pack (taller). Raising the platform, more than necessary, just messes with the handling. too much money, for too few results.
Another option is to go, with an up country spring pack, OEM springs (or equivilant), good for an inch or inch and a half. Designed for the extra luggage, trailer or bouncing around a bit.
Just some options, other than a 3-4 inch lift, that will hold up, to some sane off roading.

 

[AKASHAJEEP]

THX for the advice but unfourtanly it is a bit to late as I ahve already ordered the 4.5" lift from rough country.
here are a few pics of what the leafs actually look like.
http://img52.photobucket.com/albums/v159/crzystng/IMAGE0009.jpg
http://img52.photobucket.com/albums/v159/crzystng/IMAGE0007.jpg
http://img52.photobucket.com/albums/v159/crzystng/misc pics/IMAGE0006.jpg
http://img52.photobucket.com/albums/v159/crzystng/misc pics/IMAGE0004.jpg

 

[MudderChuck]

Darn, how in the world did that happen? My 88 has maybe a 1/2" of sag, most near the rear eye on the long leaf. Ran an old 87 for almost 14 years, often with four people and baggage, on some terrible roads and never managed that. The 87 was even missing the bump stops.

 

[AKASHAJEEP]

warn lockomatic hubs?

ya so you guys can see it wasnt jsut a figment of my imagination. they are SHOT!! not really something that i would even consider repairing if I could!!
the only thing that i dont get is on how they still kinda kept the back up some. not nearly what they should have been doing but still the rear tires arent being completly covered by the wheel wells, ya know!!
like I said the 4.5" rough country lift should be here shortly and WILL fix all of those problems!! only thing i really have to get now is an extension for the rear drive shaft. but that is only going to be like another $70 or so. the guy I talked with on the phone said that there have been a few problems with the drive shafts poping out due to the angles of the rear shaft. said that i should looking into getting a custom driveshaft and yoke. but i am just oing to pick up a 2" extension yoke!! should take care of that. if not then I am going to have a bracket for the driveshaft so if it does decide to pot out it wont bouncd off the ground. then i can take a simple wrench and put it back in!!

 

[graewulf]

yeah, those are shot.. just a point of interest, most newer XJs come through with leaf springs that are almost flat, not much arc to them at all even new.