Good post......sorry to hear that it took you that many blades. I didnt use a wedge and it took only about two blades per bolt for me.......good description of problem though!!
I made my trip up to Northfield, VT last week from Portsmouth, VA. I towed a 5X10 U-Haul trailer with 2,400 lbs. The springs worked great! Even with the trailer fully loaded the rear end lowered about a half an inch. With the new springs my rear end raised up almost three inches and the front end rose about an inch. That just goes to show how much my old springs were worn out. The squeeking was totally gone with the trailer throughout the drive up. Now without the trailer it squeeks a bit, but I think its only because the springs are so strong and the rear end isn't loaded down at all.
Another by-product is that my rear end kicks out when I step on the gas pendal (but its still controlable) on pavement or offroad. Its made the driving experience much more fun. The one downside (aside from the sqeeking) is that the Jeep vibrates quite a bit around 45-55mph. Above that and below it the vibrations fade away and are totally gone when the rpms are above 2500. I pretty sure that is more due to the urethane bushings.
Its not a tire problem. They were balanced a few months ago and they're all at 40 psi. No tread issues. The driveshaft issue maybe exactly it. I know I need to replace the U-joints. I haven't found a shop that I trust, and I don't have faith that I can do it myself without a vice.
Thanks.
