Caster Specification for the JL

[roaniecowpony]

Need some help here. Just had a teraflex 2.5 lift installed (their basic spring lift w/ sway bar end links etc) + Falcon ST2.1 shocks + teraflex geometry correction brackets (stock lca’s), falcon nexus 2.2 steering stabilizer. I have a steersmarts yeti adj front track bar and a rough country rear track bar ready to go on Saturday. Just had my alignment done (attached) and it drives like shit. Throwing me all over the road (slight exaggeration but something feels way off on steering).

I’m running 33in tires right now on method 17x9 -12 offset - plenty of backspacing.

Any ideas? hoping the adj track bars help but I don’t think that’s what’s going on here.

Just to baseline, have you had the TSB for the steering box done?

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[dginz]

Just to baseline, have you had the TSB for the steering box done?

I haven’t and I know it’s not been done. bought this used w/ 58K mls now 60K mls- but steering felt totally fine at stock height w/ the new wheels/ tires.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I haven’t and I know it’s not been done. bought this used w/ 58K mls now 60K mls- but steering felt totally fine at stock height w/ the new wheels/ tires.

I think putting that new front trackbar on would be worth doing first, just to eliminate it as a suspect, since you own it and it's a simple job to change out.

 

[Roky]

I haven’t and I know it’s not been done. bought this used w/ 58K mls now 60K mls- but steering felt totally fine at stock height w/ the new wheels/ tires.

I’ve seen this happen several times….. different fixes on each one, but with that many miles, it can be bushings in the tie rod, drag link, track bar, control arms etc… it was driving ok until you lifted it because now there’s more leverage/ stress on these components and geometry change. …. Judging by your camber readings, first thing I’d look into is ball joints…Hard to diag without putting hands on it….get your track bars on and your axles centered up and see if that helps, if not you’ll have to just check everything out, process of elimination…..

 

[roaniecowpony]

I’ve seen this happen several times….. different fixes on each one, but with that many miles, it can be bushings in the tie rod, drag link, track bar, control arms etc… it was driving ok until you lifted it because now there’s more leverage/ stress on these components and geometry change. …. Judging by your camber readings, first thing I’d look into is ball joints…Hard to diag without putting hands on it….get your track bars on and your axles centered up and see if that helps, if not you’ll have to just check everything out, process of elimination…..

Agree. The OEM balljoints on the JL are a short life component. Mine were loose around 20,000+ miles, with not much off-road and none of it hard. Just street driving back and forth to work and the store. The tierod and draglink end fittings are staked into the tube and are a possible loose connection.

 

[AnnDee4444]

33in tires right now on method 17x9 -12 offset - plenty of backspacing.

In addition to the ball joints, a 3" scrub radius is recommended for 2WD... and I'm pretty sure you're at roughly 3.25" (likely more if your tire is worn). Stock Rubicon is around 1"

Wheels with more positive offset, taller tires, or remove spacers (if you have them) will reduce the scrub radius.

 

[Dg1615]

Help!! Can anyone interpret these numbers for me. First pic is bottom of right knuckle, second is bottom of left knuckle, third is off flat spot on pinion and I also used phone app on the two holes on front of diff which appear to be 1-1.5 degrees. How much caster do I actually have. Put new OME 2” springs on and the highway wandering is terrible. Is was perfect. Thanks edit, first and third are knuckles.

 

[Roky]

Help!! Can anyone interpret these numbers for me. First pic is bottom of right knuckle, second is bottom of left knuckle, third is off flat spot on pinion and I also used phone app on the two holes on front of diff which appear to be 1-1.5 degrees. How much caster do I actually have. Put new OME 2” springs on and the highway wandering is terrible. Is was perfect. Thanks edit, first and third are knuckles.

The one on the diff, if you have to rotate it clockwise to hit 0 then you’re 1-1.5 less than 6 degrees caster, as 0 is 6 degrees….

 

[Dg1615]

So I’m at 4.5-5. Time for some adjustable arms. Thanks. Bums me out this thing had awesome highway manners.

 

[Roky]

So I’m at 4.5-5. Time for some adjustable arms. Thanks. Bums me out this thing had awesome highway manners.

That’s my guess, 4.5 ish……you probably got more than 2” of lift…

 

[Dg1615]

Yea, I’m probably 1” taller then I was. (I had other springs in) Feels like I crossed the line with my ride height and need correction now. Classic Jeep highway wander. Thanks for the help

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