KDSS and the LEAN. It's really very simple. (1 Viewer)

[bloc]

I've read somewhere on this forum in an official-ish PDF that KDSS allows for fluid to "leak" left-to-right and front-to-back over time. It might be in MSCruiser's old thread. So any KDSS adjustment you do will eventually "reset" itself (and conversely any KDSS imbalance should eventually rectify itself). I've also read that if you leave you vehicle parked on a hill or slant that can affect the KDSS lean. All that said KDSS lean is irrelevant if your springs (or spring rates) are off - get them correct first and then use KDSS to fine-tune the balance if it's still off.

As a side note, the FSM says if you're within 15mm IIRC left-to-right it's considered within spec, so anything within 5/8" is totally normal. Also keep in mind when you put 200# in the driver's seat your driver's side ride height will change slightly

The system balancing itself is another reason I never considered the 4x4 trick a legitimate option.

 

[Alpinhi]

Linux, Tech, and Bloc, Thank you. This has made me look at this from a different view point, I am not super new to new IFS but have run coil sprung Jeeps for years and always disconnected the sway bar for offload use. I think some that old straight axle tech that I was used to has made me confuse myself a bit going to a hydraulic system working with IFS. Im going to get my new suspension installed and go from there, now just to confirm witch side the taller spring goes on, thanks for your input!

 

[bloc]

Linux, Tech, and Bloc, Thank you. This has made me look at this from a different view point, I am not super new to new IFS but have run coil sprung Jeeps for years and always disconnected the sway bar for offload use. I think some that old straight axle tech that I was used to has made me confuse myself a bit going to a hydraulic system working with IFS. Im going to get my new suspension installed and go from there, now just to confirm witch side the taller spring goes on, thanks for your input!

One point here.. KDSS isn't just to disconnect the sway bars for off-road.. it allows the use of a relatively stiff bar for stability on-road, but keeping that stiff bar from too much negative impact on off-road travel.

This isn't a Jeep, nor an 80. But when it's working right it is a surprisingly capable system for such a large vehicle that can carry so much stuff in the level of comfort it can. My decision a couple years ago to acknowledge the nature of my travel (tons of road before the trails) and give up the awesome vortec-swapped 80 was tough... but now I know it was absolutely the right decision. I LOVE my 200 and it's the first vehicle out of a couple dozen that I truly know I will keep for the foreseeable future.

 

[SilverHundo]

Quick question for an old thread...

I picked up a 2010 for the wife and it's leaning driver's side (left) about 2 inches. Unfortunately the KDSS valves are rusted frozen (probably never been opened) and one of them is completely stripped at this point. I've tried everything to break it loose.

Can I still swap out the rear springs with new OEM springs (stock height), even though I cannot open the KDSS valves? Has anyone done this?

Thank you!

 

[linuxgod]

Quick question for an old thread...

I picked up a 2010 for the wife and it's leaning driver's side (left) about 2 inches. Unfortunately the KDSS valves are rusted frozen (probably never been opened) and one of them is completely stripped at this point. I've tried everything to break it loose.

Can I still swap out the rear springs with new OEM springs (stock height), even though I cannot open the KDSS valves? Has anyone done this?

Thank you!

Yes you can. You’re just fighting the sway bar when doing so. The passengers side spring is harder to remove than the drivers side, fyi

2” is a lot of lean though and is not normal. If your vehicle has the original springs and isn’t lifted I’d be concerned either you have something bent or worn in your suspension bushings, or else the KDSS actuator is frozen

 

[RET2]

Quick question for an old thread...

I picked up a 2010 for the wife and it's leaning driver's side (left) about 2 inches. Unfortunately the KDSS valves are rusted frozen (probably never been opened) and one of them is completely stripped at this point. I've tried everything to break it loose.

Can I still swap out the rear springs with new OEM springs (stock height), even though I cannot open the KDSS valves? Has anyone done this?

Thank you!

Try a few miles of "spirited" tight windy roads and see what happens the next morning.

 

[SilverHundo]

Yes you can. You’re just fighting the sway bar when doing so. The passengers side spring is harder to remove than the drivers side, fyi

2” is a lot of lean though and is not normal. If your vehicle has the original springs and isn’t lifted I’d be concerned either you have something bent or worn in your suspension bushings, or else the KDSS actuator is frozen

By fighting the sway bar...are you saying that I would need to leave the sway bar connected? (since it's "pressurized"). Or saying that it would be a fight to get the sway bar disconnected?

 

[bloc]

All the cases of legitimate severe lean I’ve read about had severe corrosion. I do think there is some mechanism where the valve fails from all the rot.. have you tried having someone weld onto the screws to crack them loose?

 

[SilverHundo]

All the cases of legitimate severe lean I’ve read about had severe corrosion. I do think there is some mechanism where the valve fails from all the rot.. have you tried having someone weld onto the screws to crack them loose?

I have not tried having something welded on.

 

[linuxgod]

By fighting the sway bar...are you saying that I would need to leave the sway bar connected? (since it's "pressurized"). Or saying that it would be a fight to get the sway bar disconnected?

It would be a fight to get it reconnected, and it will be a fight to move the suspension around with it connected. Have a good 4’ prying bar and ratchet straps and an extra jack handy

 

[RET2]

It would be a fight to get it reconnected, and it will be a fight to move the suspension around with it connected. Have a good 4’ prying bar and ratchet straps and an extra jack handy

Don't forget to peruse the Navy Chief dictionary of cuss words before starting either.

 

[SilverHundo]

Took another measurement today. It's actually only about a 1 inch lean. I think it really depends on the slope of the ground where it's parked... Which makes me continue to think "tired springs"?

 

[RET2]

It's alive and self correcting, see you didn't have to do anything. Look for the posts about parking the offending high corner onto a flat 2x4 overnight.

 

[SilverHundo]

It's alive and self correcting, see you didn't have to do anything. Look for the posts about parking the offending high corner onto a flat 2x4 overnight

I think the lean just changes based on the slope of where it's parked. It's definitely exaggerated when the ground is sloped down towards the drivers side (when the slope is towards passenger, it just sits closer to level).

 

[nugget]

Quick question for an old thread...

I picked up a 2010 for the wife and it's leaning driver's side (left) about 2 inches. Unfortunately the KDSS valves are rusted frozen (probably never been opened) and one of them is completely stripped at this point. I've tried everything to break it loose.

Can I still swap out the rear springs with new OEM springs (stock height), even though I cannot open the KDSS valves? Has anyone done this?

Thank you!

I don’t have an answer for you, but I do have two sets of OEM rear springs that were take off from another project if you want a set for a good price. Each set has about 40k miles on them.

 

[SilverHundo]

I don’t have an answer for you, but I do have two sets of OEM rear springs that were take off from another project if you want a set for a good price. Each set has about 40k miles on them.

Location?

 

[nugget]

Location?

Location?

South Mississippi. $50 for the pair of rear springs, you pay shipping….