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Lift advice: ditching RRO and considering next gen springs.

1.4K views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  Sandstone  
#1 ·
The Consequences of my Actions: Heed the Lift Warnings!

It’s been a while since I’ve been active here, but I have an important question. Those of you with 1st gen Patriots (2007-2010) that have installed coil springs from 2011+ models for an added inch of ride height, what is your experience with drivability, specifically CV joint wear? I currently have the RRO lift installed on my 2008 FWD manual, with 1st gen coils up front and 2nd gens in the rear. Its been over a year and I had my first round of axles done in August. Last week I had the RF axle warrantied and this weekend it popped out on my way back to college. The axle will be warrantied again, but the shop recommends removing the spacers due to extreme CV joint angle causing poor drivability and axle wear. I have a pair of 2011 strut assemblies for the front that I can have installed while removing the lift in order to maintain a factory rake and slightly taller ride height, but i dont want to pay for the install if I’m still going to have issues. My 2 options are to have the taller springs installed in the front (which I already have on hand) or to buy shorter rear springs for the rear. Would this even be necessary? I don’t want a reverse squat (doggy style?). I currently live 2 hours away from home, where my car is so I dont have the time or means to do the work myself, so unfortunately I’ll have to pay to have it done, meaning I can’t afford to FAFO. Luckily I have tow insurance and a good relationship with a shop that I used to work at so Its not as bad of a situation as it could be, but still less than ideal. I’m done messing with it at this point, any insight is appreciated.


 
#2 ·
If you take the RRO spacers off, that should take care of the angle issues. You won't have the ride height but you shouldn't have issues going forward unless both axles have abnormal wear due to the lift. If they're changing both axles out, then it's not an issue, but if not I'd have them checked for any looseness and excessive play otherwise there might be vibration.

I don't think having a slightly taller spring in the back will hurt anything, and will help keep the back from sagging when hauling heavier loads.