Camber off, pull to left -- NEED HELP!

[aklino]

I upgraded my JLU Sport D30/D44(LSD) axles to JLU Rubicon D44's. After I had them installed, it drove just fine. About 500 miles later (after the suspension settled), I noticed that my axle was a little out of center. Using a long level and a tape measure, I was able to see the front axle was about a 1/2" further to the right than to the left -- meaning it was a 1/4" out of center. I decided to unbolt the track bar from the axle and adjust it in a little to center it up. Once unbolted, I realized I didn't have the tools to break the lock nut loose to actually adjust the track bar, so I gave up and just bolted it back up. I didn't hafta fight it at all -- it lined right back up, as expected.

As soon as I drove away, my steering wheel was WAY out of center. I adjusted it back to center using the drag link adjustment, but now I had a minor pull to the left. So I took it to the stealership today for an alignment where they're now telling me that my axle or knuckle must be bent because the left wheel is at -1.4* camber, and at 0* on the right. I have no doubt something is wrong, but bent is impossible. It's a brand new axle that hasn't been off road (yet), I haven't hit anything, it was fine before releasing the track bar and reattaching, and nothing else was done.

What am I missing?

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[AnnDee4444]

You should be able to physically see the difference in camber if one side is 1.4° different. It's possible that the dealership's equipment is not reporting correctly, but it sounds like there was probably a manufacturing issue. I would see if you can get the warranty to cover it.

FYI: the camber should be somewhere between +0.25° & -0.75°
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...heel-alignment-specs-toe-caster-camber.17832/

 

[aklino]

You should be able to physically see the difference in camber if one side is 1.4° different. It's possible that the dealership's equipment is not reporting correctly, but it sounds like there was probably a manufacturing issue. I would see if you can get the warranty to cover it.

FYI: the camber should be somewhere between +0.25° & -0.75°
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...heel-alignment-specs-toe-caster-camber.17832/

They already alluded that they wouldn't cover it under warranty since it was installed (and re-geared) by an outside shop. I can't see a difference at all. I have a compass I can use with my long level to see if it reads any difference when I head to my workshop tonight.

 

[Chief20]

I upgraded my JLU Sport D30/D44(LSD) axles to JLU Rubicon D44's. After I had them installed, it drove just fine. About 500 miles later (after the suspension settled), I noticed that my axle was a little out of center. Using a long level and a tape measure, I was able to see the front axle was about a 1/2" further to the right than to the left -- meaning it was a 1/4" out of center. I decided to unbolt the track bar from the axle and adjust it in a little to center it up. Once unbolted, I realized I didn't have the tools to break the lock nut loose to actually adjust the track bar, so I gave up and just bolted it back up. I didn't hafta fight it at all -- it lined right back up, as expected.

As soon as I drove away, my steering wheel was WAY out of center. I adjusted it back to center using the drag link adjustment, but now I had a minor pull to the left. So I took it to the stealership today for an alignment where they're now telling me that my axle or knuckle must be bent because the left wheel is at -1.4* camber, and at 0* on the right. I have no doubt something is wrong, but bent is impossible. It's a brand new axle that hasn't been off road (yet), I haven't hit anything, it was fine before releasing the track bar and reattaching, and nothing else was done.

What am I missing?

Hey im having the same problem since i got it any tips?

 

[aklino]

Hey im having the same problem since i got it any tips?

Yep. Get yourself some adjustable control arms and give yourself more caster. Solved everything.

 

[Chief20]

Yep. Get yourself some adjustable control arms and give yourself more caster. Solved everything.

hey i have lcas from the mopar lift. Is that good or you mean front control arms by the tire? And what did you get ? And do you remember what it was before and after with caster? This is me after an alignment

 

[Yellow Cake Kid]

...an alignment where they're now telling me that my axle or knuckle must be bent because the left wheel is at -1.4* camber, and at 0* on the right...

What am I missing?

If Camber concerns are raised after an alignment shop performs the measurements, you should ascertain if the tires were determined to be equally inflated just before the measurements were observed.

Camber measurements assume the tires are nearly identical and the axle is parallel to the test reference. If the tires are not inflated equally and closely matched in size, including deflection characteristics, the camber measurements will not accurately describe the relationship between the hub and the axle.

Good luck!

 

[Chief20]

If Camber concerns are raised after an alignment shop performs the measurements, you should ascertain if the tires were determined to be equally inflated just before the measurements were observed.

Camber measurements assume the tires are nearly identical and the axle is parallel to the test reference. If the tires are not inflated equally and closely matched in size, including deflection characteristics, the camber measurements will not accurately describe the relationship between the hub and the axle.

Good luck!

Hey yes a plug when into each tire to ensure the psi was the same.

 

[Yellow Cake Kid]

If you are explaining that they used some sort of pressure balance line to equalize the pressure I would offer the suggestion that, in my experience, the expectation that the pressure will actually equalize has been met with disappointment. The equalizing hoses work "theoretically" but in practice, you should probably trust but verify with a reliable gauge.

I use equalizing hose assemblies frequently, but rely on a traditional, consistently accurate, one at a time tire pressure gauge when I want to balance the tire pressures on my vehicles.


Having said that, you have a list of possibilities to consider. You can start with the hard stuff or the easy stuff or hunt and peck.

In order from easy to hard:

1. Equalize tire pressure
2. Assure that you do not have some sort of unique payload in the vehicle that is causing a temporary state where one tire is deflecting more than the others.
3. Confirm measurement accuracy/repeatability - THIS IS A OFTEN OVERLOOKED YET IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION.
4. Confirm that tires are equal in size, shape, tread wear etc. Does swapping tires side to side change the camber measurement?
5. Remove the steering knuckle and inspect/replace Ball Joints
6. Disassemble and inspect axle for misaligned fitment of the end forgings

Another thing to keep in mind is that extended Scrub Radius and or relaxed Caster will affect camber when the wheels are turned, which would not seem to apply to an alignment measurement, but these factors are related to the Toe settings in the same manner that they relate to purposeful steering.

This can be a reason why when minor toe adjustments are made, the camber, which is presumably non adjustable, may seem to have been altered by some small increment.

Your toe settings seem to be normal so this would not apply to your circumstance, but the relationship is worth keeping in mind if you are working with a situation where toe settings are significantly out of bounds.

Good luck!



.

 

[Chief20]

If you are explaining that they used some sort of pressure balance line to equalize the pressure I would offer the suggestion that, in my experience, the expectation that the pressure will actually equalize has been met with disappointment. The equalizing hoses work "theoretically" but in practice, you should probably trust but verify with a reliable gauge.

I use equalizing hose assemblies frequently, but rely on a traditional, consistently accurate, one at a time tire pressure gauge when I want to balance the tire pressures on my vehicles.


Having said that, you have a list of possibilities to consider. You can start with the hard stuff or the easy stuff or hunt and peck.

In order from easy to hard:

1. Equalize tire pressure
2. Assure that you do not have some sort of unique payload in the vehicle that is causing a temporary state where one tire is deflecting more than the others.
3. Confirm measurement accuracy/repeatability - THIS IS A OFTEN OVERLOOKED YET IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION.
4. Confirm that tires are equal in size, shape, tread wear etc. Does swapping tires side to side change the camber measurement?
5. Remove the steering knuckle and inspect/replace Ball Joints
6. Disassemble and inspect axle for misaligned fitment of the end forgings

Another thing to keep in mind is that extended Scrub Radius and or relaxed Caster will affect camber when the wheels are turned, which would not seem to apply to an alignment measurement, but these factors are related to the Toe settings in the same manner that they relate to purposeful steering.

This can be a reason why when minor toe adjustments are made, the camber, which is presumably non adjustable, may seem to have been altered by some small increment.

Your toe settings seem to be normal so this would not apply to your circumstance, but the relationship is worth keeping in mind if you are working with a situation where toe settings are significantly out of bounds.

Good luck!



.

Have you had or dealt with any of these issues or this is just your knowledge of the subject?

 

[Yellow Cake Kid]

1 thru 5 have been experienced first hand, but not on my current Jeep.

In addition a close friend, whom I have spent a lot of time with over several decades, owned a region area of a name brand tire store franchise and we spent a lot of time specifically talking and thinking about what a typical alignment service session can and can not help with. I learned a lot from the insights and experiences he accumulated while owning and operating the chain of stores, and benefited from the candor that close friendships can allow.

Good luck.

 

[Chief20]

1 thru 5 have been experienced first hand, but not on my current Jeep.

In addition a close friend, whom I have spent a lot of time with over several decades, owned a region area of a name brand tire store franchise and we spent a lot of time specifically talking and thinking about what a typical alignment service session can and can not help with. I learned a lot from the insights and experiences he accumulated while owning and operating the chain of stores, and benefited from the candor that close friendships can allow.

Good luck.

Okay so i guess i can inspect ball joints and see from there or otherwise im screwed ?

 

[Yellow Cake Kid]

I had not realized that this is a renewed thread started long ago.

I suggest you start a new thread, include info like model/year/mileage and any upgrades such as wheels or suspension that you have done to your Jeep and see what others here suggest.

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