OME Lift install question

[rcj1]

Been working all weekend with a buddy installing an OME lift on my 60.

We are both rookies at this, but we've been tackling this together and having a good ole time doing it.

So here's the issue. We were putting on the rear springs ( after completing work on the front ) and noticed that the stock springs had the military wrap on the non-shackled mount to the frame.

When we did the front, we weren't sure which end to install forward, so we did a quick search and found a post saying to put the (+) mark forward and the non marked end back.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f8/old-man-emu-lift-one-side-higher-than-other-990353/

( I know --- jeep forum --- my first mistake )

So, after researching the rear springs, we now know we were wrong, the front springs are installed backward. The military wrap should be on the non shackled mount. However the front springs are pretty securely installed

I'm curious what the implications are of immediately driving it with the springs backward. Also I have a wheeling trip in a couple of weeks too, so I'd like to figure out if I really need to flip them at all.

Thanks for the help.

C

 

[Skniper]

My $0.02, after installing mine solo for my first time about 8 mos. ago.....take it off and do it right. I have no idea if it hurts anything to drive it that way, but I'm a bit of a rule follower on things technical.

Besides, you have all the tools out and help there now. Wish I still had the picture of a jeep I saw with the front shackles installed upside down AND backwards.

Sorry, don't mean to sound like your dad but, do it right.

 

[fieldsken1]

if you dont do it now and it drives ok then you will most likley not get in a hurry to fix it

 

[sityslkrbj70]

My $0.02, after installing mine solo for my first time about 8 mos. ago.....take it off and do it right. I have no idea if it hurts anything to drive it that way, but I'm a bit of a rule follower on things technical.

Besides, you have all the tools out and help there now. Wish I still had the picture of a jeep I saw with the front shackles installed upside down AND backwards.

Sorry, don't mean to sound like your dad but, do it right.

Agreed!

 

[Captain Sanuk]

x3 I installed the ome kit on my 60 on saturday. i would say do it right. its not that hard.

 

[rcj1]

Unfortunately it took us all day Sunday to install and finish the rear leaf springs, and I ran out of time in the garage I was borrowing. So I had to drive it home with the front springs backward.

The ride was smooth and without issue, but I am planning to flip the front springs this weekend at another friend's garage.

For the benefit of the people who are searching for the answer that I was not able to find until it was too late...

• The plus sign (symbol) or minus sign (symbol) does not indicate the orientation of the leaf spring.
• Mount the leaf spring with the wrapped end in the middle of the vehicle and the non-wrapped end on the outside (closest to front/rear bumper).
• Don't be afraid to ask questions

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[SNLC]

You realize the rear springs are specific to each side right? Meaning the rear springs are RHS and LHS specific so should not be installed with the wrong one on the wrong side.

There are tricks to changing out leaf springs. Swapping rear springs should only take you a few hours, even with little experience. That is if you know the tricks! Support the weight of the truck on the frame and allow the leaf springs to droop all the way. Use a jack to support the axle and move it around. Also use the jack to reinstall the leaves, you can use it to get things lined up and get the axle up and into place quickly/easily. If you had siezed pins that would have certainly made things a pain in the ass but now you should not have any siezed pins so it should go fast and easy. Oh and an impact wrench will make short work of u-bolts just torque them by hand at the end to specs, ie 95-105ft lbs. You should also not tighten everything completely until the weight of the truck is on the new suspension.

Unfortunately it took us all day Sunday to install and finish the rear leaf springs, and I ran out of time in the garage I was borrowing. So I had to drive it home with the front springs backward.

The ride was smooth and without issue, but I am planning to flip the front springs this weekend at another friend's garage.

For the benefit of the people who are searching for the answer that I was not able to find until it was too late...

• The plus sign (symbol) or minus sign (symbol) does not indicate the orientation of the leaf spring.
• Mount the leaf spring with the wrapped end in the middle of the vehicle and the non-wrapped end on the outside (closest to front/rear bumper).
• Don't be afraid to ask questions

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[rcj1]

Definitely got the rear springs on the proper side. Good tip.

The shackled ends were very easy to remove on my rig, but the pinned ends were not, and all had to be torched to unseize the pins. The fourth pin it was really easy to unseize because we'd had the experience of the first three