PO Screwed up the suspension 76 CJ5

[DaveMueller]

I'm pretty sure the front leaf spring U clamp to the axle:
A) shouldn't have chunks of metal as spacers on the clamp on the axle.
B) shouldn't have the other clamp on the body of the Transfer Case with another metal spacer.

The tires are 30.5" (265/75-15) instead of stock 28" (G78-15 IIRC).

The thing rides like a super ball, every bump sends me all over the place. The rear spring, rear shackle is extended about 30 degrees outward (past vertical).

This is my first non-stock anything vehicle. My limit of suspension knowledge is replacing shocks every 100K miles or so. That said, this is the simplest vehicle I've had in a long time and will have no problem fixing this mess.

SO,
1) How do I know if, and how much, this has been lifted?
2) How can I identify if this is the original front differential and axle, or something from a different vehicle to make the big tires work?
3) If I want to get back to "stock" or at least make this more driveable, what do I need to keep the big tires.

My guess is someone wanted bigger tires and/or a lift and got whatever he could from a junk yard to make it fit, regardless of if it was "correct". The steering column is from a similar vintage GM vehicle, and the steering wheel isn't even close to aligned (I'm hoping it's just put on wrong).

I'll add a pic or three as soon as I figure out how.

Thanks
(Jeep rookie) Dave

 

[DaveMueller]

Pics of passenger side front suspension.

Dave

 

[Torxhead]

The pics help, actually you do have quality springs. Those extra wraps around the spring eyes will help if your main spring breaks. The spring shackles look pretty good also. Although the springs do appear a bit old and not really a high lift type. A 31" tire will fit fine on a stock suspension and that is probably the oem front differential. Not really sure what a super ball rides like, if your suspension tie rods are shot, it will be a wobbly ride. Not sure why those metal chunks are supposed to be there though.

 

[tarry99]

Dave...........Looks like those springs along with most other aftermarket sets
( short of custom springs) are just too rigid.

Shackle angle needs to be at least 15-20 degrees pointed away from the axle on both front and rear.........with all the weight in the vehicle , otherwise with the shackle near vertical you actually up the spring rate and make it ride rougher............The springs are more than likely a lifted spring by perhaps a few inches but enough in extra mechanical length to change the shackle angle.......you might also want to check your front axle caster angle. There are many other things that will help create the rough ride......shocks are another Item as well as lubricating the suspension....

Those U-Bolts on the axle in the second picture are not correctly sized for the axle........

 

[DaveMueller]

Thanks for the info.

OK, I can see that the u-bolts are too long, but is one supposed to clamp on the differential housing?


I've been greasing what I can. The steering arm Zerk fitting is stripped, but sticks in place enough to hold grease. All of the shackles have grease fittings but I can't get any grease into them (except one). One of these days I'll pull them apart one by one and grease them by hand.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Wrong U bolts is all-Your springs are good.
Use silicon spray on the spring packs.
Put a wrench on everydangthing to be sure all is 'TITE'.
LG

 

[jp360cj]

Wrong U bolts is all

Yep, small pic, but looks to me like either the ubolts were too long and they used a "spacer" to correct it, or the u bolts are for a larger diameter axle and used the "spacer" to make it fit the axle.

As for the ride, make sure shocks aren't overly stiff (heavy duty trucks shocks are overkill for a lightweight CJ), don't over-tighten the shackles, and don't over inflate the tires.