doing suspension, all or just the the back?

[dreher]

I am gonna do the suspension tomorrow and have never done it before.
The chilton says that I need to remove the front drive shaft.
Do I still need to if I have a spring compresor?
When I go to pull out the old leafs are they going to pop out on me?
Anything else I should know?
Good/ decent priced parts?
TIA

 

[tbburg]

The question here is "What are you doing to the suspension?"

If you're just changing springs(no lift) you don't need to disconnect the drive shafts.
In the rear, do one side at a time, and don't shift the axle back/forward.
In the front, unbolt the shocks, and the axle will droop far enough to get the springs out.

A lift may be the same or may involve a whole lot more work depending on style/height.

 

[JEFF]

If you are doing rear springs be prepared.........with PB Blaster and a good set of tourches, when the road salt gets into those rear leafspring bolts they don't come out very easy.

 

[dreher]

I am planning on doing springs and shocks. The rear is embarrassing.
I have no lift.
What do you mean back and forth?
Leave one side on the ground while I swap out the other?
When doing the front should I support the axle with jack stands, loosen everything up and raise the body?
I have done a bunch of reading on here and heard the horror stories so I have been hitting all the bolts with pb blaster for the last couple weeks.

 

[winkosmosis]

I think you should get estimates from your local mechanics before doing it yourself. Mine says $90 for the whole spring job. I'd even pay 3x that considering I have no clue what I'm doing and could potentially make my Jeep unusable or worse.

 

[dreher]

Thanks for the advice but I will never pay someone to work on my stuff. I will however gladly pay for beer and food for someone that is willing to teach me how to do something. It is really important to me to be able to work on my own vehicles. I have not done a lot of technicle stuff but if I cant change my springs out I shouldnt be driving.