Sagging on one side - looking for input // Clayton Off-Road

[Rebel.Matt]

Reaching out to the forums to help me out with this one.

Back January 2022, I put on a Clayton-Offroad 2.5 Overland+ kit on my 2021 JTR with about 15k miles. Currently my JTR has 55k miles on it with a good mix of highway and offroad miles. I also carry an Oru Design camper for half of the year, so the jeep does carry quite a bit of weight. I noticed some serious sagging on the passenger side rear about 6 months ago and have been trying nail down what exactly is going on. To answer the obvious, I have balanced the weight and have also taken everything out of the jeep to take some measurements. It's about a 2 inch difference measuring at the rear wheels - driver side is higher than passenger. I’ve checked the sway bar links as well and those are even. Nothing has jumped out to me top why it is still sagging. Could it be bad coil springs or shocks? I have a few potential courses of actions:

• Replace the rear shocks. I want to update those anyway as it's time to get some big-boy shocks.
• Replace the rear springs and rear shocks (leaning more towards this)
• Replace the whole suspension system and start from scratch. All the control arms look good so I’d prefer not to change those out.

Any suggestions? I’m leaning towards replacing the rear springs and shocks, but if someone has a better idea I’m all ears.

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[MaximusG20]

Reaching out to the forums to help me out with this one.

Back January 2022, I put on a Clayton-Offroad 2.5 Overland+ kit on my 2021 JTR with about 15k miles. Currently my JTR has 55k miles on it with a good mix of highway and offroad miles. I also carry an Oru Design camper for half of the year, so the jeep does carry quite a bit of weight. I noticed some serious sagging on the passenger side rear about 6 months ago and have been trying nail down what exactly is going on. To answer the obvious, I have balanced the weight and have also taken everything out of the jeep to take some measurements. It's about a 2 inch difference measuring at the rear wheels - driver side is higher than passenger. I’ve checked the sway bar links as well and those are even. Nothing has jumped out to me top why it is still sagging. Could it be bad coil springs or shocks? I have a few potential courses of actions:

• Replace the rear shocks. I want to update those anyway as it's time to get some big-boy shocks.
• Replace the rear springs and rear shocks (leaning more towards this)
• Replace the whole suspension system and start from scratch. All the control arms look good so I’d prefer not to change those out.

Any suggestions? I’m leaning towards replacing the rear springs and shocks, but if someone has a better idea I’m all ears.

That’s a major difference on one corner. Sounds like something in the suspension must be defective.

What is the cost difference to start with the rear then replace the front if needed vs purchasing all suspension components at once?

 

[AstroZombie]

the spring is probably worn out. That side gets a lot of wrap for forward momentum. It is common on lots of vehicles especially when you're carrying. Ever see drag racing cars pop wheelies? they always tip to teh back passenger side. It's a bit of an extreme scenario but teh same thing happens on your jeep too. Just not as dramatic. Some kits will even recommend a stiffer spring for that side. It just eats all the forces of driving and will fail first.

 

[AstroZombie]

At least that my understanding of it.

 

[AstroZombie]

over and over and over is like bending a metal coat hanger. the metal will fatigue

 

[Rebel.Matt]

That’s a major difference on one corner. Sounds like something in the suspension must be defective.

What is the cost difference to start with the rear then replace the front if needed vs purchasing all suspension components at once?

I haven't done the price comparison but it's got to be way cheaper just replacing coils than coils, control arms, sway bars, etc. I installed the suspension myself and it took me all weekend. If I don't have to replace the control arms, I can replace the springs in a day (I think I can). And shocks should be doable as well.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

It's not the shocks. Shocks are not a factor in ride height, they only dampen the springs.

That rear spring being worn out seems unlikely, but I suppose it's possible.

Is the rear axle centered?

Can you post some pics showing the ride height difference and the rear suspension?

 

[Rebel.Matt]

the spring is probably worn out. That side gets a lot of wrap for forward momentum. It is common on lots of vehicles especially when you're carrying. Ever see drag racing cars pop wheelies? they always tip to teh back passenger side. It's a bit of an extreme scenario but teh same thing happens on your jeep too. Just not as dramatic. Some kits will even recommend a stiffer spring for that side. It just eats all the forces of driving and will fail first.

Super helpful, and thank you for that input. I think replacing springs and shocks is the way to go to solve this problem and (relatively) inexpensive. I think Clayton sells just springs, but that will be the next item on my list.

 

[Flyin6]

I have to say that I am experiencing the same thing.

My right side sags just a little. I am using the Clayton 3.5" Overland springs, which carry more weight than the "normal" units. I have a rack and an Ikamper roof top tent.

I have checked everything, pulled all four arms and the panhard bar, and removed, checked, and reinstalled the springs. I am currently looking for fairy dust and anointing oil to see if that fixes it.

Aside from the slight right-sag, the thing operates flawlessly, and I will launch on this year's adventure just like it sits

Kind of reminds me of flying with a guy who, for some reason, keeps the aircraft a quarter ball out of trim...

 

[Rebel.Matt]

It's not the shocks. Shocks are not a factor in ride height, they only dampen the springs.

That rear spring being worn out seems unlikely, but I suppose it's possible.

Is the rear axle centered?

Can you post some pics showing the ride height difference and the rear suspension?

I just ran outside to check. It doesn't look centered to me... I used a 4' level and checked the difference from where the rear tires protruded from the fenders. The drivers side sticks out more than the passenger side, which means that there passenger side is under the vehicle more and under a greater load. Good call on that!

So, how do I fix that?

 

[Sikjeep2]

Have you tried swapping springs side to side and see if it changes?

 

[chr15m]

Unless you have a lot of unmentioned weight on the passenger side of the camper this is unusual. Coils are almost certainly the culprit. Im running a GFC with a decked system that I only left the driver side of the system installed. I have about 350lbs more that stock on the rear, with more of the weight being on the driver side. Couple that with the gas tank and the driver (you), the driver side should squat more, mine does but only by about 3/8".

I'm on OE coils, 3/4" spacers and airbags. As Sikjeep2 mentioned, I'd start by swapping the coils. The shocks as also already mentioned only dampen the coils movement and energy. The will not affect ride height.

 

[RobbertCole]

Definitely sounds like a coil issue. If you want to know for sure swap them.

they're really the only thing affecting actual height of the vehicle.

 

[AstroZombie]

Super helpful, and thank you for that input. I think replacing springs and shocks is the way to go to solve this problem and (relatively) inexpensive. I think Clayton sells just springs, but that will be the next item on my list.

maybe they have one they can recommend to help compensate for teh increased load of you rig.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I just ran outside to check. It doesn't look centered to me... I used a 4' level and checked the difference from where the rear tires protruded from the fenders. The drivers side sticks out more than the passenger side, which means that there passenger side is under the vehicle more and under a greater load. Good call on that!

So, how do I fix that?

1. Unbolt the rear track bar.
2. Bounce the suspension several times.
3. Measure to see if axle centered itself (it should be pretty close).
4. Adjust track bar to new length and bolt it up.

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