Suspension and Steering Repairs

R

Reaper JKU

New member
My 2018 JKU is starting to show signs of wear. I just had to replace the OEM pads, rotors and calipers, I kept a coated ceramic size on there as I do not do a tremendous amount of overlanding or offroading yet but alot of road trips and the 35's are handling well. I also had to replace all of my Ball Joints, I use Moog as recommended by my mechanic. I will soon have to replace the tie rods and drag links as my steering joints are going next. My question is it worth replacing and upgrading my parts on the suspension and steering individually as I need them or pull the bandaid and replace and upgrade to my desired 3 inch lift suspension all at once. Looking for feedback. I was looking at a Teraflex 3' lift suspension from Extreme Terrain and some steering upgrades from Smart Steers. If anyone has used these let me know.

Teraflex 3-Inch Sport S/T3 Suspension Lift Kit​

Teraflex 3-Inch Alpine CT3 Suspension Lift Kit​



Appreciate the comments and feedback.
 
Is there a reason why you need such a tall lift for just 35" tires? Also, is there a reason why you want to run Teraflex?

Things like steering components will wear out and will need to be replaced but things like factory clevite bushings (what you have on things like your control arms) are designed to last the life of the vehicle. I mean literally, they are made to last over 1 million miles for normal use and based on what you're saying, that would be you.

Regarding steering, I personally prefer Rock Jock as they really make great products. Synergy is a good option as well and really, there are even more heavy duty options available but I don't think you'll be needing that. As far as Steer Smarts go, I would NOT recommend them as I have personally seen their stuff break on the trail.
 
How do you plan to use your Jeep?

I've had experience with steer smarts and TF products on my JKU, great marketing and promises but both their customer service sucks.

Parts wear out, compare the price of replacing a worn-out tie rod end joint on a SteerSmarts vs Synergy.

My experience with SteerSmarts, bought their JK tie rod and it failed during EJS when one of the boots fell apart and the ball joint was clearly loose in the end fitting, the tie rod was only about 4 months old and majority of DD street use. Since they were at EJS I thought no big deal, manufacturing defects happen but when they "inspected" the tie rod end, they told me it was installer error and offered a 20% discount for a replacement end which cost almost $200!

I've used Synergy ever since and zero issues for my daily and offroad use; replacement ends are only $60.

Won't even get started with anything TF but for the dollars I've wasted on their products, I'd stay away - much better options for the same or less money depending on how you plan to use your Jeep.

I've learned shops push what makes them the most profit not what makes sense for the customer, they are in the business of making a profit.
 
I'm another vote for RockJock or Synergy for a quality steering kit. I'll also add that RockJock now has a JK high steer kit which replaces your knuckles. Just something you could consider and do while replacing the balljoints.

In regards to doing your lift kit and steering at the same time, you will want to confirm your lift height as your will want a draglink flip with a 3-3.5" lift on the JK along with raising the track bar bracket on the axle. I would also stay clear of Teraflex suspension. EVO, RockJock, Synergy, Clayton are better options to look at.
 
wayoflife said:
Is there a reason why you need such a tall lift for just 35" tires? Also, is there a reason why you want to run Teraflex?

Things like steering components will wear out and will need to be replaced but things like factory clevite bushings (what you have on things like your control arms) are designed to last the life of the vehicle. I mean literally, they are made to last over 1 million miles for normal use and based on what you're saying, that would be you.

Regarding steering, I personally prefer Rock Jock as they really make great products. Synergy is a good option as well and really, there are even more heavy duty options available but I don't think you'll be needing that. As far as Steer Smarts go, I would NOT recommend them as I have personally seen their stuff break on the trail.
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There is no real reason, just the information I've read on different Jeep forums. I do not have a group or circle up here to chat with, this is the only place I ask Q&A. I would like at least mid range to better parts, I have tried to stay away from Amazon parts and Google answers. I think I will slowly piece together a suspension of my own based on these comments and start with tie rods, and drag links and then work on the next parts of the suspension. I have been told that a Steering stabilizer is worth adding?
 
jeeeep said:
How do you plan to use your Jeep?

I've had experience with steer smarts and TF products on my JKU, great marketing and promises but both their customer service sucks.

Parts wear out, compare the price of replacing a worn-out tie rod end joint on a SteerSmarts vs Synergy.

My experience with SteerSmarts, bought their JK tie rod and it failed during EJS when one of the boots fell apart and the ball joint was clearly loose in the end fitting, the tie rod was only about 4 months old and majority of DD street use. Since they were at EJS I thought no big deal, manufacturing defects happen but when they "inspected" the tie rod end, they told me it was installer error and offered a 20% discount for a replacement end which cost almost $200!

I've used Synergy ever since and zero issues for my daily and offroad use; replacement ends are only $60.

Won't even get started with anything TF but for the dollars I've wasted on their products, I'd stay away - much better options for the same or less money depending on how you plan to use your Jeep.

I've learned shops push what makes them the most profit not what makes sense for the customer, they are in the business of making a profit.
Click to expand...
I have had my JKU 'Reaper' since Sept 2024 and plan on 85-90% highway, I road trip alot and the other 10-15% will be rock crawling and overlanding most likely in destinations in Canada and the USA. I will be having my family along for the ride, So far I have only done my tires (35" Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T) and just did the brakes front and rear and Moog ball joints upper and lower. I will have to look at some other companies and think that I'll just customize my own suspension then.
 
Reaper JKU said:
There is no real reason, just the information I've read on different Jeep forums. I do not have a group or circle up here to chat with, this is the only place I ask Q&A. I would like at least mid range to better parts, I have tried to stay away from Amazon parts and Google answers. I think I will slowly piece together a suspension of my own based on these comments and start with tie rods, and drag links and then work on the next parts of the suspension. I have been told that a Steering stabilizer is worth adding?
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Well, I would never pretend to know as much as whatever you can read on different Jeep forums but I can share what I've learned over the last 25+ years doing this Jeep thing. Regarding steering stabilizers, is there anything wrong with what you've got now? Me personally, I've always found that that OE stabilizer works great and better than most aftermarket ones, especially the kind that are pressurized and will CAUSE your Jeep to drift.
 
wayoflife said:
Is there a reason why you need such a tall lift for just 35" tires? Also, is there a reason why you want to run Teraflex?

Things like steering components will wear out and will need to be replaced but things like factory clevite bushings (what you have on things like your control arms) are designed to last the life of the vehicle. I mean literally, they are made to last over 1 million miles for normal use and based on what you're saying, that would be you.

Regarding steering, I personally prefer Rock Jock as they really make great products. Synergy is a good option as well and really, there are even more heavy duty options available but I don't think you'll be needing that. As far as Steer Smarts go, I would NOT recommend them as I have personally seen their stuff break on the trail.
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What would you recommend as a perfect lift for my Jeep if 3" is high?
 
Reaper JKU said:
What would you recommend as a perfect lift for my Jeep if 3" is high?
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To be clear, on a JK, 3" isn't too bad, just not necessary to clear 35's. At 3" of lift (most kits will yield way more than what is advertised), you will need to address other things like your front drive shaft being that the CV boot on the transfer case end will be in a constant state pinch and it will fail sooner than later. Also, at 3"+, you may find it necessary to add in more positive caster and that will require adjustable control arms or the installation of drop brackets. And, then there's steering geometry. At 3"+, the track bar and drag link will be off enough that you will experience a small degree of bump steer. Most people are cool with it, some are not and the correction for that would be a track bar relocation and drag link flip.

All that said a 2.5" lift (again, most will yield more lift than that) or even coil spacer lift will be a better fit for 35's and will require less to make it work well. Of course, if you have the budget for all the other upgrades mentions, 3" is a good lift size for 35's and factory fenders.
 
wayoflife said:
To be clear, on a JK, 3" isn't too bad, just not necessary to clear 35's. At 3" of lift (most kits will yield way more than what is advertised), you will need to address other things like your front drive shaft being that the CV boot on the transfer case end will be in a constant state pinch and it will fail sooner than later. Also, at 3"+, you may find it necessary to add in more positive caster and that will require adjustable control arms or the installation of drop brackets. And, then there's steering geometry. At 3"+, the track bar and drag link will be off enough that you will experience a small degree of bump steer. Most people are cool with it, some are not and the correction for that would be a track bar relocation and drag link flip.

All that said a 2.5" lift (again, most will yield more lift than that) or even coil spacer lift will be a better fit for 35's and will require less to make it work well. Of course, if you have the budget for all the other upgrades mentions, 3" is a good lift size for 35's and factory fenders.
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This^^^

2.5" lift and 35s on my JK here. My budget was pretty tight when I first bought my Jeep and this kept me safe and without worry with pretty good wheeling too for a good while. I'm still on stock drive shafts in fact. (CV boot on front shaft at the t-case did start slipping and chucking grease once but was my own fault for slightly too much caster after I got adjustable control arms)
 
Reaper JKU said:
I have had my JKU 'Reaper' since Sept 2024 and plan on 85-90% highway, I road trip alot and the other 10-15% will be rock crawling and overlanding most likely in destinations in Canada and the USA. I will be having my family along for the ride, So far I have only done my tires (35" Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T) and just did the brakes front and rear and Moog ball joints upper and lower. I will have to look at some other companies and think that I'll just customize my own suspension then.
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It’s honestly probably a lot less miles offroad than that. Everyone thinks they do 10-25% offroad but if you put that into mikes, it’s not even close. Out of 1000 miles 15% would be 150 miles offroad. That’s a lot. Way more than 99.99% of people do.
 
OverlanderJK said:
It’s honestly probably a lot less miles offroad than that. Everyone thinks they do 10-25% offroad but if you put that into mikes, it’s not even close. Out of 1000 miles 15% would be 150 miles offroad. That’s a lot. Way more than 99.99% of people do.
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Good perspective, thanks
 
I also am looking to rehear to 4.88 I’ve heard again Yukon or Revolution gears are good but now I am beginning to question the brands I’ve been looking at.
 
Revolution gear sets come from South Korea and have consistent quality.

Yukon sources their gear sets from all over including China and quality is all over the map.

Get your gears from Revolution.
 
Thanks for all the tips and advice everyone. I think Synergy, Revolution, TMS Customs, RPM Steering, AEV is the way I am going to over Teraflex. I believe Shocks and coil springs are my last search. Fox over Falcon? ( the EVO system is out of my budget).
 
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