Notes on Teraflex 2.5" coil and shock install
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lewis, WA
Notes on Teraflex 2.5" coil and shock install
Just wanted to add my experience and thoughts of installing this lift for others to reference...
1. The day before I installed the lift I sprayed all the nuts and bolts I was going to remove with Liquid Wrench in order to start breaking down any rust that had begun to form to make removal easier...it seemed to help
2. The entire install went as planned and very smooth until I got to removing the front shocks...the top nut was rusted so bad it was impossible to remove. I was replacing the shocks so we ended up taking a saws-all and cutting the shock at the bottom nut under the top shock mount. I highly suggest a method similar to this if you are replacing your shocks. Otherwise removing the top nut will be a royal PITA!
3. Installation of the front shocks also proved to be a PITA when installing the top nut. I also highly recommend using a ratchet wrench for this part of the installation, it will cut down on installation time and frustration...the only negative...ratchet wrenches are not cheap.
4. Front bump stop extensions provided by Teralfex are a PITA to install...we ended up boiling the top portion and lubing it with bearing grease and lifting the axle with the jack to assist installation.
5. Installing the front springs after installing the front bump stop extensions was difficult but I recommend installing after the extensions not before. You just have to push down on the axel and shimmy it around until it slides up in there.
6. Most people talk about how they are unable to install the sway bar links on the rear per the instructions due to a more bulkier sway bark link provided by Teraflex. I did not have any issue with this. I don't know if Teraflex over time made an adjustment to the design of there sway bar links or if my jeep is just one of the lucky ones with the bottom sway bar link drilled in the correct position. Therefore I installed my sway bar links the way the instructions suggest to. The only issue I see is that there is only a 1/4 at most space between the lower sway bar link bolt head and the bottom of the rear shock. I don't do any serious "flexing" so I do not for see any issues with damage to the rear shock, but I will keep an eye out.
7. I installed the Spidertrax 1.5" wheel spacers until I purchase new tires and wheels. One of the nuts provided by Spidertrax was not threaded correctly and wanted to go on crocked...luckily I found a similar nut in the garage with the correct threading and used it instead of forcing the original nut and damaging the threads on the axle.
8. I installed JKS front and rear track bars, aligning the front and read axles was not difficult at all, I used a ratchet strap to move the frame to where it needed to be and installed the track bars.
9. I attempted to realign the steering wheel, I have not managed to get it straightened out yet so my ESP/BAS light and traction control light continues to come on. If I pus the traction control button I can reactivate the traction control and everything works just fine. The ESP/BAS light remains on. If any one has a suggestion on how to fix this I would appreciate it. I loosed the two nuts and turned the turnbuckle underneath the jeep to recenter the steering wheel but it only lets me turn the turnbuckle so far one way or another and I am unable to get the steering wheel back to center...Once again, any suggestions would be appreciated.
other than the steering issue...everything seems great!
1. The day before I installed the lift I sprayed all the nuts and bolts I was going to remove with Liquid Wrench in order to start breaking down any rust that had begun to form to make removal easier...it seemed to help
2. The entire install went as planned and very smooth until I got to removing the front shocks...the top nut was rusted so bad it was impossible to remove. I was replacing the shocks so we ended up taking a saws-all and cutting the shock at the bottom nut under the top shock mount. I highly suggest a method similar to this if you are replacing your shocks. Otherwise removing the top nut will be a royal PITA!
3. Installation of the front shocks also proved to be a PITA when installing the top nut. I also highly recommend using a ratchet wrench for this part of the installation, it will cut down on installation time and frustration...the only negative...ratchet wrenches are not cheap.
4. Front bump stop extensions provided by Teralfex are a PITA to install...we ended up boiling the top portion and lubing it with bearing grease and lifting the axle with the jack to assist installation.
5. Installing the front springs after installing the front bump stop extensions was difficult but I recommend installing after the extensions not before. You just have to push down on the axel and shimmy it around until it slides up in there.
6. Most people talk about how they are unable to install the sway bar links on the rear per the instructions due to a more bulkier sway bark link provided by Teraflex. I did not have any issue with this. I don't know if Teraflex over time made an adjustment to the design of there sway bar links or if my jeep is just one of the lucky ones with the bottom sway bar link drilled in the correct position. Therefore I installed my sway bar links the way the instructions suggest to. The only issue I see is that there is only a 1/4 at most space between the lower sway bar link bolt head and the bottom of the rear shock. I don't do any serious "flexing" so I do not for see any issues with damage to the rear shock, but I will keep an eye out.
7. I installed the Spidertrax 1.5" wheel spacers until I purchase new tires and wheels. One of the nuts provided by Spidertrax was not threaded correctly and wanted to go on crocked...luckily I found a similar nut in the garage with the correct threading and used it instead of forcing the original nut and damaging the threads on the axle.
8. I installed JKS front and rear track bars, aligning the front and read axles was not difficult at all, I used a ratchet strap to move the frame to where it needed to be and installed the track bars.
9. I attempted to realign the steering wheel, I have not managed to get it straightened out yet so my ESP/BAS light and traction control light continues to come on. If I pus the traction control button I can reactivate the traction control and everything works just fine. The ESP/BAS light remains on. If any one has a suggestion on how to fix this I would appreciate it. I loosed the two nuts and turned the turnbuckle underneath the jeep to recenter the steering wheel but it only lets me turn the turnbuckle so far one way or another and I am unable to get the steering wheel back to center...Once again, any suggestions would be appreciated.
other than the steering issue...everything seems great!
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lewis, WA
So i just managed to center my steering wheel and get rid of the ESP/BAS and traction control light...
...the problem was that the turn buckle on the drag link had become a casualty to RUST...therefore I could not turn it enough to center the steering wheel. Well, after spraying the turn buckle with some liquid wrench and a few hours later...the turn buckle turns and I centered my steering wheel and NO MORE WARNING LIGHTS...
...although, I had to rotate my turn buckle about 3 times, most people seem to only have to turn it 3/4 of a turn. Guess I'm just different. Oh well, lift is on and everything is in order!
if anyone has any questions feel free to ask!
...the problem was that the turn buckle on the drag link had become a casualty to RUST...therefore I could not turn it enough to center the steering wheel. Well, after spraying the turn buckle with some liquid wrench and a few hours later...the turn buckle turns and I centered my steering wheel and NO MORE WARNING LIGHTS...
...although, I had to rotate my turn buckle about 3 times, most people seem to only have to turn it 3/4 of a turn. Guess I'm just different. Oh well, lift is on and everything is in order!
if anyone has any questions feel free to ask!
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JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 379
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From: Dumont, New Jersey
Jeep looks great, you did an awesome job. She looks good with her new meats on as well. How is the ride, any shimmy at all? I'm def looking into getting the teraflex 2.5 coil lift as well so any info on how she rides with the lift is greatly appreciated
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 181
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From: Dudley, MA