Project Road Trip

[captspillane]

Rollguy, will the Cherokee springs work on the small Eagles? Any particular year of Cherokees?  Grand Cherokees too?  Thanks.

The small Eagles (SX4s and Kammbacks) are two inches shorter. The Cherokee leafs only work on station wagons and sedans. This thread is discussing his Kammback.

[Draekon]

On an SX4 the extra length of the XJ second leaf is critical. Broken SX4 leaf springs are extremely common. Its much more of a problem for Spirits, Kammbacks, and SX4's because those leaf springs have a short second leaf. The long top leaf gets unusually fatigued and they often break where they continue past the second leaf all by their lonesome.

The main leaf on my SX/4 broke near the axle

[rohnk]

My new springs came in last night and look great. They have a much nicer arch on them compared to the original worn out ones. I didn't get to install then tonight since I had a problem with a broken rubber gas line at the tank. I lost about 2 gallons on the floor and all over me before I finally got a new hose on to drin the gas into a catch can. Then I had to work fast to replace all the lines back there before my catch cab filled up. Total of about 6 gallons got loose but I reclaimed 4 of it.

So now I have all new rubber hoses at the tank and a new roll over valve in place. Tomorrow I'll be ready to start with the leaf springs.

[Prafeston]

Can't wait for you to have this thing all back together again!

[rollguy]

I had a problem with a broken rubber gas line at the tank. I lost about 2 gallons on the floor and all over me before I finally got a new hose on to drin the gas into a catch can. Then I had to work fast to replace all the lines back there before my catch cab filled up. Total of about 6 gallons got loose but I reclaimed 4 of it.

So now I have all new rubber hoses at the tank and a new roll over valve in place. Tomorrow I'll be ready to start with the leaf springs.

That is odd, because there should be no fuel leaking from any of the hoses when they are disconnected (other than a little that is in the hoses).  If there was pressure in the tank, maybe.  The hard lines go in the top of the tank (fuel sender and pickup), so the tank would have to be full and with pressure to force the fuel up to the top of the tank through the hard lines.  I believe you did, but I can't imagine how you could have gotten a gas shower.

[rohnk]

I'm with you Rollguy. That is why it was such a surprise to me. I know the tank is about 3/4ths full right now and it could have pressure, but with the bad rubber lines, I would expect it to not hold pressure.

The one that was draining was the lowest hose that comes off the front of the tank. To the right of it is the grounding stud and above/behind it is another line that I think is the return. There was some gas in this line too but not much.

The fuel was flowing right out the front of the tank like a water hose.

[rohnk]

I got the drivers side leaf spring in tonight. That was quite a bit of work! Anyway, I measured it before taking the old ones out and the top of the wheel flare was 30.5" with the old springs. With the new springs, it is 34.5"! That is at least a 2" lift over stock and the rear is level or just a bit higher than the front. It looks much better sitting up where it belongs. Tomorrow I'll get the other side on and then start on some other part of it.

[rohnk]

Rear suspension is complete. The car now sits level and looks great. It runs very good too. I was able to squeal the tires coming out of the garage! Nice..

[vangremlin]

I had a problem with a broken rubber gas line at the tank. I lost about 2 gallons on the floor and all over me before I finally got a new hose on to drin the gas into a catch can. Then I had to work fast to replace all the lines back there before my catch cab filled up. Total of about 6 gallons got loose but I reclaimed 4 of it.

So now I have all new rubber hoses at the tank and a new roll over valve in place. Tomorrow I'll be ready to start with the leaf springs.

That is odd, because there should be no fuel leaking from any of the hoses when they are disconnected (other than a little that is in the hoses).  If there was pressure in the tank, maybe.  The hard lines go in the top of the tank (fuel sender and pickup), so the tank would have to be full and with pressure to force the fuel up to the top of the tank through the hard lines.  I believe you did, but I can't imagine how you could have gotten a gas shower.

I tthought the lines on the small Eagles came out of the front of the tank, whereas on the wagons they came off the top.  If my memory is correct then, gas would start to come out if the tank was more than about 1/2 full.

[Prafeston]

Its looking great Rohn!

[rohnk]

Thanks Rafe. Still a ways to go but I am having fun with it. The age I am now (38) must be something about it. I don't get too upet when I can't get something done on the car, I work steadily and try to do something with it every other day, and I actually care to take the time to do thing right. Not just slap it together and call it good.

My neighbors really want me to go with them to Silver Lake. I have some front end work to do since it feels squirrely and I need to make spacers for the rear shocks since they are now topping out. Maybe by August I'll be ready to hit the dunes!

[rohnk]

Not much has been done in the past couple of weeks. I had a terrible review at work and was basically told to change how I do everything or out I'll go. Which is fine, but they don't know what I do to begin with and have no idea to tel me what to do going forward. Classic case of set-up to fail so they can fire me and get in some kid for half the money. inconsiderate persons.

Anyway, here is the new picture album for July. Not much there, but there is a bit of surprise. Take a look!

http://photobucket.com/sx4july2012

[Prafeston]

Hey hey!!! Once you pop you can't stop...or so the saying goes!

[vangremlin]

Congrats!  Twins!!!

[Baskinator]

Nice! Is that another SX/4, or a sedan?