[Alignment] - Numbers look right, but eye test fails

[NerdyBuilds]

Hi everybody,

I recently finished a Wrangler build with a friend, and we took the vehicle for an alignment. The alignment came back awfully, with the tires pointing outward, so we took it to a Big O Tires that had a well regarded alignment tech. The guys there seemed really familiar with Jeeps, and they were enthusiastic, and they gave me a print-out with all numbers returning in range, but the steering wheel is crooked 10-15 degrees to the left and the tires still point out.

With that, I come to you guys to look for advice: should I just adjust the drag-link and tie rod on my own? I figured that computers would do a better job than the eye test, but this is now coming into doubt. My upper control arms are adjustable, but I think those are find, because they've been measured by us and 2 alignment techs. I added the numbers before for good measure.

Suspension details:
- Steer Smarts tie rod, track bar, and drag-link
- Teraflex Falcon adjustible steer stabilizer
- Rubicon take-offs
- 35 inch tires with negative offset wheels

also, if I shouldn’t do it myself, do any Seattle area folks have recommendations on where to go?

Edit: If this is the wrong sub-forum, please feel free to move it. Also, steer smarts recommends a slight toe out from what I've seen, typically of 1/8" to 3/16"

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[Ratbert]

The tires point out? What part is pointing out? Tops? Fronts?

Note that, in my experience, straightening the steering wheel is part of doing an alignment.

 

[NerdyBuilds]

The front of the tires point out - a sort of flare out. As for the steering wheel, it is supposed to be part of the alignment but came back decently off, despite the computer suggesting it was good

 

[Steadman]

Ive seen this multiple times. The steering wheel is crooked because when they rock it back and forth after the adjustment they hold the steering wheel in place firmly instead of allowing it to be in its neutral position. Theres always a load on the steering wheel as they do this and they end up changing the toe to that.

I ended up buying the toe plates and did it in my driveway. Take it for a short drive and adjust the drag link to make the steering straight. The toe wont change if just adjusting the drag link.

You can probably fix the thrust angle yourself to if you have adjustable control arms.

 

[GATORB8]

That’s pretty low caster, if you have adjustables you may as well get that back up toward 6 before taking it back.

 

[JLeco2022]

the good ole computer says its correct line

 

[Old Jeeper]

Hi everybody,

I recently finished a Wrangler build with a friend, and we took the vehicle for an alignment. The alignment came back awfully, with the tires pointing outward, so we took it to a Big O Tires that had a well regarded alignment tech. The guys there seemed really familiar with Jeeps, and they were enthusiastic, and they gave me a print-out with all numbers returning in range, but the steering wheel is crooked 10-15 degrees to the left and the tires still point out.

With that, I come to you guys to look for advice: should I just adjust the drag-link and tie rod on my own? I figured that computers would do a better job than the eye test, but this is now coming into doubt. My upper control arms are adjustable, but I think those are find, because they've been measured by us and 2 alignment techs. I added the numbers before for good measure.

Suspension details:
- Steer Smarts tie rod, track bar, and drag-link
- Teraflex Falcon adjustible steer stabilizer
- Rubicon take-offs
- 35 inch tires with negative offset wheels

also, if I shouldn’t do it myself, do any Seattle area folks have recommendations on where to go?

Edit: If this is the wrong sub-forum, please feel free to move it. Also, steer smarts recommends a slight toe out from what I've seen, typically of 1/8" to 3/16"

Steering wheel pointing left 10-15 degrees, tells me the Pittman arm needs to be aligned. EZ fix, sick if you have 2 people, 10 min or so. Or you can align the steering wheel and lock it, then get under and adjust the draglink to bring the Ptiman are to center

 

[txj2go]

If you have the tools and ability then do it yourself (I'm talking about toe and steering wheel position). It might require some trial and error. It doesn't take much adjustment to make a visible change to the steering wheel position. You can get another person to help you and you can check toe with a tape measure. For caster you'll need a little more equipment to check that.

 

[mwilk012]

The OEM specs for alignment on a JL are terrible. Add more caster, don't touch the tie rod, just adjust the drag link to center the wheel.

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