Lifted Rear, Now Leaning

[flyer92]

I decided that my 2-door Sport's rear end needed a slight lift to help accommodate a bike rack and other gear, so I had a well-respected offroad shop install a pair of 10mm Old Man Emu spacers. Although this should have been a very simple and straightforward job, my Jeep was returned to me with a noticeable lean to the passenger side. When measured, the gap between the fender and tire is about 1/2" smaller on the passenger side, as compared to the driver's side, which has me baffled.

Even the technician can't seem to figure out what's going on, so just curious if anyone here has experienced a similar issue. (And yes...I confirmed that the spacers are identical, so there's no issue with them.)

Thanks in advance for your feedback and advice and happy Jeepin' all!

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[azwjowner]

Can you see the part number tags on your springs? The shop may have swapped the left and right springs by mistake. They're side-specific.

 

[flyer92]

Can you see the part number tags on your springs? The shop may have swapped the left and right springs by mistake. They're side-specific.

I discussed this with the tech as well, but he confirmed that they weren't swapped.

 

[Roky]

I decided that my 2-door Sport's rear end needed a slight lift to help accommodate a bike rack and other gear, so I had a well-respected offroad shop install a pair of 10mm Old Man Emu spacers. Although this should have been a very simple and straightforward job, my Jeep was returned to me with a noticeable lean to the passenger side. When measured, the gap between the fender and tire is about 1/2" smaller on the passenger side, as compared to the driver's side, which has me baffled.

Even the technician can't seem to figure out what's going on, so just curious if anyone here has experienced a similar issue. (And yes...I confirmed that the spacers are identical, so there's no issue with them.)

Thanks in advance for your feedback and advice and happy Jeepin' all!

Is it possible the spring isn’t clocked properly. On the rear the upper isolator determines the clocking of the spring, as opposed to the front where it’s the bottom isolator that’s does it. On the rear it’s a little more challenging to get isolator in proper position with nub in hole, and to have the spring end against the stop on the isolator….

 

[flyer92]

Update...just confirmed the part numbers on both rear springs are actually the same: 68249110AA. Regardless, I can see where part of the tag was torn off on the driver's side, so I know the springs weren't swapped.

 

[Billkowski]

I have a spacer lift and it's almost half an inch shorter on the passenger side(varies based on how full the gas tank is). I figure it even outs perfectly when I'm sitting in it.

 

[flyer92]

Is it possible the spring isn’t clocked properly. On the rear the upper isolator determines the clocking of the spring, as opposed to the front where it’s the bottom isolator that’s does it. On the rear it’s a little more challenging to get isolator in proper position with nub in hole, and to have the spring end against the stop on the isolator….

I was thinking the same thing, and noticed a 3/8" gap between the spring end and isolator stop on the passenger side. Seems like a minor thing, but would such a small difference in clocking result in such a noticeable lean?

Also concerned that driving around this way for approximately 50 miles (including some light offroad) might have damaged the stock isolator. Is this a problem?

Regardless, I'm taking it back to the shop later today so they can clock the isolator properly.

 

[flyer92]

I have a spacer lift and it's almost half an inch shorter on the passenger side(varies based on how full the gas tank is). I figure it even outs perfectly when I'm sitting in it.

That's pretty interesting. I had a similar issue with my old CJ, only in the opposite direction.
Regardless, my JL didn't lean before the spacers were installed. I've seen plenty of lifted Jeeps over the years without any leaning issues, so I find this unacceptable, especially for such a mild lift (10mm).

 

[Billkowski]

That's pretty interesting. I had a similar issue with my old CJ, only in the opposite direction.
Regardless, my JL didn't lean before the spacers were installed. I've seen plenty of lifted Jeeps over the years without any leaning issues, so I find this unacceptable, especially for such a mild lift (10mm).

I didn't scrutinize it before the lift, but everything was installed correctly. Less than half an inch variance over the width of the vehicle with variables like gas and load really isn't that much.

 

[Roky]

I was thinking the same thing, and noticed a 3/8" gap between the spring end and isolator stop on the passenger side. Seems like a minor thing, but would such a small difference in clocking result in such a noticeable lean?

Also concerned that driving around this way for approximately 50 miles (including some light offroad) might have damaged the stock isolator. Is this a problem?

Regardless, I'm taking it back to the shop later today so they can clock the isolator properly.

If the isolator isn’t in the right position and the spring is also off, then it will make a difference…..

 

[azwjowner]

That's pretty interesting. I had a similar issue with my old CJ, only in the opposite direction.
Regardless, my JL didn't lean before the spacers were installed. I've seen plenty of lifted Jeeps over the years without any leaning issues, so I find this unacceptable, especially for such a mild lift (10mm).

Last week I did a Teraflex 0.5" spacer lift all around on my 2 door and had no problem - Jeep sits as level as before in the rear. Not sure what it could be other than, as someone mentions, the spring not clocked properly, or perhaps one of the spacers is upside down somehow.

 

[flyer92]

If the isolator isn’t in the right position and the spring is also off, then it will make a difference…..

OK, thanks. I'll get it corrected later today, but just hope the isolator isn't damaged.

This is what I get for letting someone else do the work. I just had a small injury and couldn't do it myself. Lesson learned!

 

[Roky]

OK, thanks. I'll get it corrected later today, but just hope the isolator isn't damaged.

This is what I get for letting someone else do the work. I just had a small injury and couldn't do it myself. Lesson learned!

Copy that…… I’m not 100% this is your problem, but I always try and eliminate the simple stuff first…..

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