YJ spring conversion problem

87'YJ · November 20th, 2005, 11:04 PM

So I'm doing an SOA with YJ 1 1/2" rubicon express springs. I have a problem though. When switching to YJ springs, I am tring to put the rear spring on and I noticed that on the hanger (which holds the shackle) the metal sheath inside the bushing is too small for the bolt that comes on YJ shackles. If I use a CJ bolt that fits the bushing, there is play in the shackle. I was wondering if anybody has run across this and how to solve it. The only thing I can think of is too buy a new bushing that is the correct size.

Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks!

shawn · November 21st, 2005, 04:26 PM

I would buy or make new shakles. Not quite sure why the bolt sizes are different. Or just take out that bushing and sleeve and get the proper size you want in there.

PavementPounder · November 22nd, 2005, 01:49 AM

Are you using a YJ shackle & bolt + CJ hanger and bushings?

87'YJ · November 22nd, 2005, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PavementPounder

Are you using a YJ shackle & bolt + CJ hanger and bushings?

Yes. I just bought some Urethane CJ bushings and I'm going to take out the metal sleeve.

PavementPounder · November 22nd, 2005, 02:03 PM

I don't know what to say other than...

...incompatible parts won't work together.

Beyond that, keep in mind that you are going to use parts in a manner other than which they were designed to be used and they will not perform as thy should - even if you manage to "bang the square part in the round hole". Road stability is greatly affected by tolerances and slack in the shackle area. If you eliminate the sleeve inside the bushing, there will still be a small clearance between the YJ bolt and the CJ bushing. This will allow for excessive lateral movement of the spring and cause the axle to swing cross-car under the Jeep. Countering deathwobble in the front is one thing, but you don't want the ass of the truck behaving poorly also.

If you haven't mangled all the parts, consider selling them and buying what will work. All you need to do is use CJ shackles and bolts with your CJ bushings and hangars, because CJ rears are the same width as YJ springs.

Haggar · November 22nd, 2005, 02:30 PM

Bahahahaa. I think you answered your own post right away.

Buy the right parts and they'll fit.

There, was that so hard?

87'YJ · November 23rd, 2005, 09:51 AM

You're both kind of right and kind of wrong. First of all the CJ bushings without the sleeve still are a VERY tight fit with the shackle bolt. Eventually it might wear down a little, in which case, i will replace the $10 bushing.

Using CJ shackles in the back is not a bad idea, but then the CJ shackle bolt on the bottom where it attaches to the spring wouldn't be the right size. That is also larger. The spring attached directly to the frame in a YJ where as it has a spring hanger in the CJs.

Its getting all figured out....Thanks for the feedback guys!! It helps me think through these problems!

November 20th, 2005, 11:04 PM	#1
87'YJ Jeeps, Journey and Jesus Join Date: 11-07-05 Location: Cleveland Posts: 1,467 iTrader: (2)	YJ spring conversion problem So I'm doing an SOA with YJ 1 1/2" rubicon express springs. I have a problem though. When switching to YJ springs, I am tring to put the rear spring on and I noticed that on the hanger (which holds the shackle) the metal sheath inside the bushing is too small for the bolt that comes on YJ shackles. If I use a CJ bolt that fits the bushing, there is play in the shackle. I was wondering if anybody has run across this and how to solve it. The only thing I can think of is too buy a new bushing that is the correct size. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks!

November 22nd, 2005, 01:49 AM	#3
PavementPounder Cold Soul Join Date: 11-05-05 Location: Highland, MI 48357 Posts: 20,976 iTrader: (139)	Are you using a YJ shackle & bolt + CJ hanger and bushings? __________________ Doing business with "Kennedy" on GL? See this thread for details. Doing business with "Silver Bullet" on GL? He'll leave you Negative Feedback without even doing business with you. See this thread for details.

November 22nd, 2005, 02:03 PM	#5
PavementPounder Cold Soul Join Date: 11-05-05 Location: Highland, MI 48357 Posts: 20,976 iTrader: (139)	I don't know what to say other than... ...incompatible parts won't work together. Beyond that, keep in mind that you are going to use parts in a manner other than which they were designed to be used and they will not perform as thy should - even if you manage to "bang the square part in the round hole". Road stability is greatly affected by tolerances and slack in the shackle area. If you eliminate the sleeve inside the bushing, there will still be a small clearance between the YJ bolt and the CJ bushing. This will allow for excessive lateral movement of the spring and cause the axle to swing cross-car under the Jeep. Countering deathwobble in the front is one thing, but you don't want the ass of the truck behaving poorly also. If you haven't mangled all the parts, consider selling them and buying what will work. All you need to do is use CJ shackles and bolts with your CJ bushings and hangars, because CJ rears are the same width as YJ springs. __________________ Doing business with "Kennedy" on GL? See this thread for details. Doing business with "Silver Bullet" on GL? He'll leave you Negative Feedback without even doing business with you. See this thread for details.

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November 21st, 2005, 04:26 PM	#2
shawn flopped Join Date: 11-05-05 Location: Livonia Posts: 5,989 iTrader: (8)	I would buy or make new shakles. Not quite sure why the bolt sizes are different. Or just take out that bushing and sleeve and get the proper size you want in there.

November 22nd, 2005, 02:30 PM	#6
Haggar High Flush Join Date: 11-06-05 Location: Lake Orion Posts: 11,279 iTrader: (10)	Bahahahaa. I think you answered your own post right away. Buy the right parts and they'll fit. There, was that so hard?

November 23rd, 2005, 09:51 AM	#7
87'YJ Jeeps, Journey and Jesus Join Date: 11-07-05 Location: Cleveland Posts: 1,467 iTrader: (2)	You're both kind of right and kind of wrong. First of all the CJ bushings without the sleeve still are a VERY tight fit with the shackle bolt. Eventually it might wear down a little, in which case, i will replace the $10 bushing. Using CJ shackles in the back is not a bad idea, but then the CJ shackle bolt on the bottom where it attaches to the spring wouldn't be the right size. That is also larger. The spring attached directly to the frame in a YJ where as it has a spring hanger in the CJs. Its getting all figured out....Thanks for the feedback guys!! It helps me think through these problems!