'97 TJ Advice Needed

[RalphA]

I'm too old to be new, but since I'm still learning, this seems like a good category for me.

Would there be any reason I can't use a one cup, to one quart of water mixture of TSP to clean my suspension and other oily or greasy areas? I tried Simple Green without much success.

In the picture below, is the spacer (1 1/2 inches long) between the frame and the body a factory part? Also, is the part that goes through the coil (7 inches long) factory?

Any help is appreciated.
click image for larger version
13556

[Deviljeep]

TSP??

Yes.
Yes.

[TRLR8TDTJ]

Looks factory to me!! Aftermarket puts spacer on the axle side of the bump stop.

Kyle

[Fire Ball]

TSP= Trisodium Phosphate

Might work but some of the spray de-greasers might work better.

I don't think modern TSP is the same as the old stuff since phosphates are pretty much phased out.

Also brake cleaner sometimes works on hard to reach spots, plus it evaporates and you don't have to figure out what to do with it :) They are low in VOC.

The parts in question seem to be stock.

The one in the spring is the bump stop. It limits the upward travel of the axle.

The one between the body and frame keeps the front end from slopping around. It doesn't appear that you have a body lift. I measured the one on my jeep and it is 2 1/2 long with a 1" body lift.


Also looking at the picture the springs seem to be stock but the shocks seem to be longer than stock. The upper end of the spring is no longer seated. Might cause the spring to pop out under full extension and we would have to start calling you fatbob :)

[Fire Ball]

One more thing, the shock seems to be missing parts but it is hard to see. On top of the shock there should be a big washer, rubber gromet.

On the other side of the shock mount (top side) rubber gromet, washer, nut..

In the picture it almost looks like the lower washer is missing. Can't quite tell as I said. Needs more light on it.

[RalphA]

Thank you thank you. I have just begun. Everything under the driver's side wheel well and suspension are spit polished (simple green, TSP and two toothbrush size wire brushes). Greased the fittings, sprayed the rubber parts with silicone, checked all bolts and nuts. Shook the wheel, turned the wheel in every gear, no strange noises. I did forget which spray do I use for the brake calipers?
I have the suspension at full droop and that caused the coil to be loose, it does have some kind of lock-in screwdown bracket on the bottom. I will check the shock bushing and washer tomorrow. I still have to do the passenger side. I have forgotten over twenty years what it was like to have grease under my nails and oil on my head, kinda fun way to burn four hours. :D

[Antman]

Ralph, it all looks stock right down to the brake lines except for

the Rancho shocks.

Try one of the car wash degreasing machines on the grease.

[Fire Ball]

Use brake cleaner spray on the break parts and make sure you use a clean rag and the brake cleaner to clean the pads and rotors. You don't want to spray the oil off the outside of the caliper and let it run down onto the friction parts.

With stock length shocks I don't think the spring should be totally unsprung so it looks like the shocks are longer than stock. Make sure that when under full compression of the suspension the bump stop bottoms out before the shock does.

Feels good to have grease under the nails huh :)

[lancetkenyon]

TSP= Trisodium Phosphate

Might work but some of the spray de-greasers might work better.

I don't think modern TSP is the same as the old stuff since phosphates are pretty much phased out.

Also brake cleaner sometimes works on hard to reach spots, plus it evaporates and you don't have to figure out what to do with it :) They are low in VOC.

The parts in question seem to be stock.

The one in the spring is the bump stop. It limits the upward travel of the axle.

The one between the body and frame keeps the front end from slopping around. It doesn't appear that you have a body lift. I measured the one on my jeep and it is 2 1/2 long with a 1" body lift.


Also looking at the picture the springs seem to be stock but the shocks seem to be longer than stock. The upper end of the spring is no longer seated. Might cause the spring to pop out under full extension and we would have to start calling you fatbob :)

The top of TJ coil springs are not supposed to be captured. When a suspension fully droops, you do not want to stretch the coil farther than it is when under no load. They are meant to compress, not extend or stretch. And the other arrow in the pic is of the stock body mount.

[Fire Ball]

True but I have never seen a spring come all the way unsprung with stock shocks. Now you have me curious. I'm gonna have to find a stock jeep to jack up and see if the spring comes away from the top of the mount. :)

I remember there always being a little pressure on it even fully extended. I know you don't want to stretch the spring but with my current configuration I still have some pressure on the spring fully extended.

Who knows, maybe I'm losing it :o