My dilemma im having with the service dept installing my mopar lift

[Go4Low]

I rarely have pleasant or sensible experience with service departments at dealerships. Sad to say, but I typically go prepared to fend off foolishness.

Had a dealership in Colorado install a Mopar lift on my JK. When I went to pick it up the price was exponentially above what was quoted...I felt like they tossed the price to see if it would stick...Once I disagreed they seem to act like it was a mistake and lowered the price.

Had multiple incidents with a dealership in WA State...I wouldn't even trust them with my lawnmower... Even if it was for a recall, I'd rather drive out of town to a different dealership.

Not sure why things are that way at some dealerships, but always go prepared for foolery.

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[Roky]

So driving it home, it drove good, it tracked straight, I want to say straighter than before, probably because I never got an alignment before, everything felt fine so far.

Do the springs/Shocks have a break in period or anything?

Do the springs looked bowed?

Yes springs are bowed, these will fix it….. what engine do you have ?

 

[Jeepsmashin]

I have the 3.6L, does the bowing affect anything? Any benefits of the correction pads?

So far it drives well....

 

[Roky]

I have the 3.6L, does the bowing affect anything? Any benefits of the correction pads?

So far it drives well....

The upper bumps can potentially hit the coils when articulating, Can get them at anytime, if you want to wait and see if a problem arises. Check and see how much your axle shifted…. Measure from coil housing out to edge of tire on both sides.

 

[Jolly’s Jp]

Update he just texted me this now, still not ready smh. That's 2 whole days

" I just checked with my tech and and he is still working on the front suspension and i doubt it will be done today. He might have to stay back and finish it but i would still suggest to pick it up tomorrow. "

Check your coils to make sure they are aligned and seated. It also looks like they may not have installed the new isolators with the Mopar kit.

 

[cavguy]

Looks like one of the lower coil springs might not be seated correctly there is a small gap, but this might be far as it seats.

In order to tell if the tops are seated correctly there is usually a little rubber nipple that protrudes from a hole in the the top metal coil spring mount.

Also referencing springs;

If you have the AE kit 3.6L use the image below to cross reference part #'s. Note that there are different springs front and rear and left and right.

Also what has always confused me is the use of LF and RF...

Mopar directions:
LF = drivers front
RF - passenger front

So 65AA is the red tag on the drivers front. 67AA is the blue tag on the passenger front.

 

[entropy]

So driving it home, it drove good, it tracked straight, I want to say straighter than before, probably because I never got an alignment before, everything felt fine so far.

Do the springs/Shocks have a break in period or anything?

Do the springs looked bowed?

they look bowed to me.

FYI. All Mopar kits have a slight bow in the front springs. They claim its designed that way. LOL. Rock Krawler makes a pad to straighten out the front springs. Pics of mine with the RK pads.

Lol and when some JLs had the infamous steering issue they claimed it was set up like that for offroading . Luckily my JL is a great vehicle so far and never had steering issues.

Looks like one of the lower coil springs might not be seated correctly there is a small gap, but this might be far as it seats.

In order to tell if the tops are seated correctly there is usually a little rubber nipple that protrudes from a hole in the the top metal coil spring mount.

Also referencing springs;

If you have the AE kit 3.6L use the image below to cross reference part #'s. Note that there are different springs front and rear and left and right.

Also what has always confused me is the use of LF and RF...

Mopar directions:
LF = drivers front
RF - passenger front

So 65AA is the red tag on the drivers front. 67AA is the blue tag on the passenger front.

Yeah it isnt sitting correctly on the bottom. That gaps need to be closed. This happened to me even though they were sitting correctly on top. I had to drop the axle again and rotate it to fix it. Just to make sure things were seated right.

And I agree with you. Id check everything is on correctly.

Unfurtunately OP youre gonna have to call the dealer to get that spring in right. Might be another 3 days

 

[mchastings]

I bought my Willys Diesel July 2020, had a 2.5 inch lift installed as I was signing dealer paperwork, took less then 3 hours, I have installed lifts on my previous wranglers, its not that difficult, control arms are one of the easy parts to install. Do the basic math to see what they are charging you, total cost of labor / by hours = hourly charge / that against how many techs = hourly rate charge. In CA they charge different rates based on Tech experience, Master Mech hourly rate is highest. Negotiate the alignment charge, I told service advisor I wasn't going to pay that because it was a new vehicle and the alignment was perfect, they gave it to me. Next best option is offroad specialist like 4x4 parts or Offroad Warehouse.

 

[Jeepsmashin]

When I get home from work I'll take pictures of the lift. FML

Thanks guy I really appreciate the advice

 

[IceBerg]

For how much the MOPAR lift costs it just isnt worth it compared to other lifts. There are better kits that offer more flex, stronger parts, and better ride for the same price or less.

Once you factor in the dealer's insane labor cost it's for sure not worth it.

 

[Roky]

OP…….That little gap between the end of the spring and the stop on isolator is not hurting anything. It would have to spin a quarter of the way around before you would see any affect from it. That said, it’s driving me crazy, I wish I can unsee it…. Lol. How it works is……The top isolator is tapered because the top of the coil isn’t perfectly flat……..

On the thinner side there is two nubs that fit in the two holes on the inside of the coil housing closest to the engine. Since these isolators are the same on both sides, that’s why the springs are clocked 180 degrees from each other. The passenger side the stop is in the front, and the drivers side the stop is in the back.

Now sometimes I’ve run across springs the were wound in a way that didn’t match up with the way the upper isolator is clocked, and I had to cut the nubs and turn the upper isolator until it matches up to the spring to get it to sit straight, no bow. But that’s another story for another day…….

Circling back to my point, when you get a chance make sure the drivers side is clocked against the stop, or at least as close as the passenger side. And feel the top of the coil housing to make sure those nubs are sticking up in the holes……….

 

[Jeepsmashin]

I took more pics, does it okay to you?

 

[hoag4147]

I took more pics, does it okay to you?

I know Roky will weigh in but did you check to see if top isolators are positioned properly with the little rubber nub poking through top of spring housing? Springs are definitely bowed, also curious how much front axle shifted to driver side?

 

[Roky]

I took more pics, does it okay to you?

Yeah, it’s ok, if it’s driving and handling good and the bowed springs doesn’t bother you then just drive it for awhile. You can take it back but they’ll likely tell you that the bow is normal and not offer any help. If the bowed springs bother you, then it’s on you to get it right at this point.

 

[cavguy]

Below (red circle) would not be acceptable to me:

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