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ac8221 · 06-27-2009, 08:45 AM

Of course when you start messing with stuff other stuff happens. I had the rusty 4.5" add leaf lift. I didn't like it cause the leaf spring sat flat and they would shimmy all over the place and i felt it was unsafe. the jeep sat a lower in the back so i also wanted to level it out. so i bought the Rubicon express 3.5" in left spring and the jks 1" shackle thinking it would be 4.5" lift. well its a little taller than i wanted but im assuming that the springs will lower after while. my main problem now is driving down the road and i let off the accelerator i hear a grinding noise coming from the rear im not sure what this could be. could it also be that i didn't align something right when putting it back together. any help would be great. damn it. one more thing i removed the rear sway bar any possibility that this could have some thing to do with. i know probably not but im just trying to cover all my bases.

**muddeprived** · 06-27-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac8221

Of course when you start messing with stuff other stuff happens. I had the rusty 4.5" add leaf lift. I didn't like it cause the leaf spring sat flat and they would shimmy all over the place and i felt it was unsafe. the jeep sat a lower in the back so i also wanted to level it out. so i bought the Rubicon express 3.5" in left spring and the jks 1" shackle thinking it would be 4.5" lift. well its a little taller than i wanted but im assuming that the springs will lower after while. my main problem now is driving down the road and i let off the accelerator i hear a grinding noise coming from the rear im not sure what this could be. could it also be that i didn't align something right when putting it back together. any help would be great. damn it. one more thing i removed the rear sway bar any possibility that this could have some thing to do with. i know probably not but im just trying to cover all my bases.

It's probably your driveshaft angle. Drop the transfercase skid 1" or so and see if that helps. If not, time for a sye and driveshaft.

Just so you know, RE lifts net more than advertised so your 3.5 is prob 4.5".

**96sport** · 06-27-2009, 12:30 PM

start with the T-case drop and then go from there.

superstratjunky · 06-27-2009, 01:48 PM

Can you drop a TC before a lift? Spread out the cost of the lift & still be able to drive it until it's lifted.

Jimbo

ac8221 · 06-27-2009, 05:37 PM

any thought on putting the stock shackle back on with the re 3.5" leaf springs. so that its not so high. that way i don't have to drop the tc. i already have a sye installed. that's why i was puzzled. thinking it might be something else.

**muddeprived** · 06-27-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac8221

any thought on putting the stock shackle back on with the re 3.5" leaf springs. so that its not so high. that way i don't have to drop the tc. i already have a sye installed. that's why i was puzzled. thinking it might be something else.

You got a 99. The 97+ cherokees are prone to driveshaft vibrations with as little as 2" of lift. I lifted mine with OME 2" and got bad vibes and had to drop the t-case, which didn't work well, and then went with a SYE. It's just part of lifting it man. No other way around it. Even with just the 3.5" springs you will more than likely have vibes. There's no telling though, gotta try and find out. Every jeep is different.

**2000XJ** · 06-29-2009, 09:59 PM

You also need to let the leaf packs settle some. Give them a couple weeks. Also, you're not supposed to torque all the nuts on the leaf pack until the tires are on the ground and full weight of the vehicle is on them.

I have the 3.5" RE leafs with a one inch shackle and I currently sit exactly at 4.5". It was higher than that originally, but once they settled it was all good.

Also, go with the SYE and never look back. It'll make you're life easier. With 4.5" of lift and a SYE, you'll need 4* shims too.

ac8221 · 06-29-2009, 10:55 PM

thanks talked to my other vehicles mechanic who just so happens to specialize in Chrysler product and is jeep enthusiast. he gave me the same advice to shim. will make it easier. the sye was installed when i purchased the xj. thanks again everyone

Mykal · 06-29-2009, 11:06 PM

Use steel shims. Aluminum will break.

01LimitedXJ · 06-30-2009, 10:14 AM

shim the rear axle to point the pinion up...pretty much following the angle of the driveshaft (1 or 2 degrees below it will be good). I would do that first, since shims are cheap. If you cant stand it, take out the rear driveshaft for awhile (drive with the front)...till you get it worked out. Good time to check your U-joints as well. If the grinding sounds like its coming from the differential, you may have a bearing going out. Most likely its just driveshaft angle though.

91_XJ · 06-30-2009, 10:52 PM

Whats a shim?

Mine had a grinding noise coming from the rear after i put my lift on too, come to find out the exhaust was vibrating loudly on the shackle and the receiver. lol

**96sport** · 06-30-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91_XJ

Whats a shim?

It's a piece of metal cut at a predetermined angle/degree. They are cut at certain angles/degrees so you can install them between your leaf pack and perch. Depending on what angle/degree of shim you get, it will either tip your pinion up or down.

ac8221 · 07-01-2009, 10:30 PM

shims are the way that i am going for now. trying to find metal shims is the problem. everything seem to be made for midsized trucks (aluminum). i have a few options in my area. man cant wait to get it all wrapped up. i also just got my bilsteins 5100s. so i am almost there for the first part of this deal.

tazjeeper · 07-02-2009, 12:05 PM

seeing how you said you have the SYE try the shims but I have to ask.
does it only make the noise when you take your foot off the gas or does it make it all the time and it gits louder when you take your foot off the gas?
if you have the SYE your driveline should be ok. (again everyjeep is different but) theirs alot of guys here that dont have both or eather done after lifting 6" and do not have problems.
I would get someone to ride in the back and see what they hear.
to me it sounds like you have a bearing going in the rearend and now taht you have lifted it a bit more and put stress on the driveshaft your noise is louder.. or the u-joints are letting go ( worn out)
as said before also if you made everything tight without the weight of the jeep on the springs undo it and make that right.. you may just have everything out of line making the springs and shackels not work the way they were ment to.. I just fixed a guys jeep the other day that he had done that to. repleace one u-joint and TADA fixed... oh his was a 97 4dr with skyjacker 6" lift... no SYE..just shims and works great..

**96sport** · 07-02-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac8221

shims are the way that i am going for now. trying to find metal shims is the problem. everything seem to be made for midsized trucks (aluminum). i have a few options in my area. man cant wait to get it all wrapped up. i also just got my bilsteins 5100s. so i am almost there for the first part of this deal.

FYI- Most 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks use 2.5" wide leaf springs. So as long as your shim is 2.5" wide, it doesn't matter what vehicle it was made for except for when it comes to the hole drilled through it for your leaf springs. So look a little harder, it's not like trying to find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Steel ones are everywhere!

Edit:SOLID STEEL SHIMS TO THE RESCUED! http://www.diy4x.com/suspension.htm Talk to Kurt and ask him if you can get a set w/o the hole for the centerpin already drilled. I have bought stuff from them before when I had my 76 chevy and there stuff is top knotch.