Topic: Recommendations for shocks and bushings

[jfrabat]

OK, here's the deal.  I had left the Jeep unattended for a while, and I figured it was time to do some maintenance.  After greasing, changing oils, oil filters, and the regular tune-up stuff, I rotated the tires.  But while doing so, I noticed my wheel bearings are a bit shady (I got wheel movement).  Also, the leaf spring bushings seem to be toast.  And the shocks could use a change as well (some unhappy encounters with rocks are the main culprit for the damage, especially in the rear).

So, my questions to you fellow jeepers are:

SHOCKS:
1. Are the Bilstein 5100 series worth the dough? (please tell me why; I have read that they can be a little soft...)
2. If YES, where do you recommend to get them?  I understand there are some that are Jeep specific, and these are not available everywhere (mine is a YJ, by the way)
3. If NO, what brand would you recommend?  It has to be comfortable enough to make 500 mile rides, but it needs to be capable of tackling offroad trails (after all, that is the reason for driving the 500 miles each way!).

BUSHINGS:
1. Poly or Rubber?  Is Poly TOO hard?  Will rubber last?
2. Daystar or some other brand?

WHEEL BEARINGS:
1. Where is the best place to get them?
2. Any specific brands you would recommend?

STEERING STABILIZER
OK, this one is not really shot, but it is rusted and has some encounters with rocks...  Figured I may as well change it...
1. Any recommended brand, or just go with the cheap OEM replacements?
2. IF the Bilsteins are worth it, I have seen the DO make Steering Stabilizers, but I have yet to find one for the Jeep.  I know the shocks have a coating to avoid rust, so that seems interesting (not to mention the whole set would match, making the Jeep look less like a color carnival).  Is there one for the Jeep?  Is it worth getting?

Thanks to all!

Felipe

[Jeffy]

Bilstein, Fox or King would probably be my choice.  Fox and King are a step up since they are rebuildable and re-valvable.

The 5100's or 5150's are good monotubes.  They ride nice compared to most of the others liek Rancho, Trail Master, Superlift, etc...  Keep in mind many of those are just rebadged.  I think Monroe makes many of them.

For bushing, just get poly.  Either Poly Performance or Daystar.  Those are the two big names.

Wheelbearing, well, there isn't really much choice in those.  I'd buy them from Amazon but I forget which ones they are.  I don't think there's much difference in them.

I think most stabilizers are one size fit's most.  They will usually use a clamp-on mount instead of the hole that's already provided.  This is so they can provide one that's longer then the application requires and not have it bottom out when turned.

[stan98tj]

I considered Bilstein when I was shopping for my latest suspension but settled on Old Man Emu's long travel nitro shocks. They have a better full extension to collapsed rating/ratio than Bilstein.
2 of my friends run Bilstein and another runs fox. All 3 love their shocks. The fox guy has it set up on a JK and drives 80 miles a day. I'm going to be transferring my OMEs to the LJ when I get it. I love them and haven't run into anyone running their stuff who regret going with them.

Steering stabilizer...fox, OME, bilstein. can't go wrong there. I got a Rough Country one now that I've had for a number of years that's ready to be replaced now.

[sharpxmen]

BUSHINGS:
1. Poly or Rubber?  Is Poly TOO hard?  Will rubber last?
2. Daystar or some other brand?

1. def poly, they are not too hard and provide a smoother ride and more flex (they are not bonded to the sleeve and jacket) - assemble with lots of grease (I mean lots, won't hurt them)
2. I got performance something, can't remember exactly but was the best price with solid sleeves and ribs on the ID of the bushing for grease. Stay away from the rolled sleeves, they are soft and collapse when tightening the bolts

WHEEL BEARINGS:
1. Where is the best place to get them?
2. Any specific brands you would recommend?

1. Amazon or Rock-Auto.
2. no, I get the ones that are on sale, can lookup the part number if needed. The ones from the dealer are a fortune, I can swap 10 of the cheap ones for the price of the OEM one from the stealership.

STEERING STABILIZER
OK, this one is not really shot, but it is rusted and has some encounters with rocks...  Figured I may as well change it...
1. Any recommended brand, or just go with the cheap OEM replacements?
2. IF the Bilsteins are worth it, I have seen the DO make Steering Stabilizers, but I have yet to find one for the Jeep.  I know the shocks have a coating to avoid rust, so that seems interesting (not to mention the whole set would match, making the Jeep look less like a color carnival).  Is there one for the Jeep?  Is it worth getting?

don't spend a fortune on this one, it is lot less "stressed" as compared to the suspension shocks (that's pretty much what it is just with symmetric valve/bleed as opposed to the suspension shocks which are different bleed rate up/down), any brand will do.

[jfrabat]

OK, anyone got any part numbers for the bearings?  I am getting conflicting information online regarding this...  In one site, it says that the Timken HA597449 will fit the YJ, but in another, it says it will not!  I am thinking of buying them in Amazon; they are $78.66 a pop, but there are only 3 left in stock.  From what I have seen that is not a bad price, right?  By the way, one of the bearings is worse than the other, but I plan to replace both, as they both got some play in them... 

[sharpxmen]

OK, anyone got any part numbers for the bearings?  I am getting conflicting information online regarding this...  In one site, it says that the Timken HA597449 will fit the YJ, but in another, it says it will not!  I am thinking of buying them in Amazon; they are $78.66 a pop, but there are only 3 left in stock.  From what I have seen that is not a bad price, right?  By the way, one of the bearings is worse than the other, but I plan to replace both, as they both got some play in them... 

by a search I got TIMKEN Part # 513084 (same p/n for National, Precision Automotive and a bunch of other brands) 
or SKF Part # BR930014, RAYBESTOS Part # 713084
just set the vehicle model in Amazon ("your Garage" on the top right of the page) and will tell you if it fits or not
alternate OEM part numbers 3555556488, 5252235, 53005604, 53007449, 53007449AB, CS05252235, CS53007449, DS53007449AB

the one you listed is for 2000 and newer TJ and has a bit different dimensions, I think it will probably fit but no point in going that route, there is close to 1/4'' offset missing on the flange. this is what the HA597449 is listing
Flange Diameter 5.984 in.
Flange Offset 1.907 in.

and the 513084
Flange Diameter 6.062 in.
Flange Offset 2.133 in.


I would go with the correct one for 94/95YJ which is 513084 (1999 TJ also uses this one, not sure what changed in 2000)

[stan98tj]

I run the Timken bearing/hub setup. Considered pretty quality by many.

[jfrabat]

Can you guys confirm if the above part number will work?

[sharpxmen]

Can you guys confirm if the above part number will work?

read my post, HA597449 is not the correct part number (it is for 2000+ TJ), you want 513084

[jfrabat]

read my post, HA597449 is not the correct part number (it is for 2000+ TJ), you want 513084

Just saw it, thanks!

[Jeffy]

OK, anyone got any part numbers for the bearings?  I am getting conflicting information online regarding this...  In one site, it says that the Timken HA597449 will fit the YJ, but in another, it says it will not!  I am thinking of buying them in Amazon; they are $78.66 a pop, but there are only 3 left in stock.  From what I have seen that is not a bad price, right?  By the way, one of the bearings is worse than the other, but I plan to replace both, as they both got some play in them...  

Why not just get a complete wheel bearing assembly?

My mistake, I see the part number Sharp mentioned.  That's the right one. - http://www.amazon.com/Timken-513084-Axle-Bearing-Assembly/dp/B000BZ4ZZU

[jfrabat]

I bought two of the one sharp mentioned...  I also bought 2 sets of Daystar bushings.  I may put off the shocks for a bit, as I am buying a new apartment, and I have already put about a grand on the Jeep this month (granted, that includes inspection fees and license plate fees, but still...)

by the way, for some reason, I could not find the front shocks on amazon...  Through that was a bit weird!

[sharpxmen]

good choice on the daystar - they come with some silicone grease, I used bearing grease instead, I'm not sure if that's good or not but I have tons of that and the tubes that come with the kit are pretty small.

[neale_rs]

For the bearings, Timken is a good choice.

As for the shocks, I'm not sure monotube is a good idea given that they are mounted in a place where they get hit.  A twin tube shock can get dented and still work ok but a monotube might get dented and cause the piston to get obstructed.  Moving them up higher is a really good mod to avoid shock damage.