Front axle off center

[Spank]

I'm not geometry expert either, but the control arm length shouldn't have an effect on the centering of the axle(Side/Side.)

The longer control arms are changing the angle of the trackbar, though. By themselves they would add to the wheelbase by slightly moving the axle forward. However, we're adding taller springs and shocks, which by themselves would pull the axle back. So, combine the two and we've got the front axle retaining its stock position, hence why the axle is pretty much centered from side to side. It's probably not perfect, but it's close.

By nature of the linkage, the more you articulate an axle, the more to moves to the side. Since we don't replace the control arms on the rear for this kit, the added height pulls the rear axle forward, causing it to be slightly off-center because of the angle of the trackbar.

No you’re probably right, all suspension lifts shorten wheelbase unless you use adjustable control arms. I haven’t really noticed much of a shift of my axles either. Maybe 1/4-1/2. Not enough to notice.

Right. This kit accommodates such changes up front, but not in the rear. I've got 35" KO2s on my JL and there's a lot more tire coming out from under the passenger fender rear than on the driver's side.

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[OnlyOne]

The longer control arms are changing the angle of the trackbar, though. By themselves they would add to the wheelbase by slightly moving the axle forward. However, we're adding taller springs and shocks, which by themselves would pull the axle back. So, combine the two and we've got the front axle retaining its stock position, hence why the axle is pretty much centered from side to side. It's probably not perfect, but it's close.

By nature of the linkage, the more you articulate an axle, the more to moves to the side. Since we don't replace the control arms on the rear for this kit, the added height pulls the rear axle forward, causing it to be slightly off-center because of the angle of the trackbar.



Right. This kit accommodates such changes up front, but not in the rear. I've got 35" KO2s on my JL and there's a lot more tire coming out from under the passenger fender rear than on the driver's side.

Correct. You probably have more than I do as far as a shifted axle. I am running the RC lift and in the rear it’s only 2”. At 2-3” of lift there’s really no need for adjustable trackbars. Really not any need for control arms either at such small lift, which is the really awesome part of these JLUR’s. You don’t need much, and no severe geometry changes like past models.

 

[Spank]

Correct. You probably have more than I do as far as a shifted axle. I am running the RC lift and in the rear it’s only 2”. At 2-3” of lift there’s really no need for adjustable trackbars. Really not any need for control arms either at such small lift, which is the really awesome part of these JLUR’s. You don’t need much, and no severe geometry changes like past models.

Yeah, I'd only center it for the sake of appeasing my OCD. However, like many people, I got a lot more than 2" out of this lift. My 35s almost seem too small for the amount of height between the tire and the fenders. Once I get aftermarket wheels with backspacing that'll push the tires out, it should look more balanced.

 

[JASPER]

Who that isn't the owner of the Jeep is going to notice an axle being 1/2" off center???
For kicks I measured my wifes bone stock JLU Sport and the front axle was 1/4" off center, and the rear was 1/8" off.. I wonder if I should take it back to the dealer?

My wifes Jeep now has a 2.5" lift with the axles being even more off but she nor I notice a difference in the way Jeep drives, and you can't tell that they are off unless you actually measure.

it was a joke..not a *ick dont take it so hard. hehe

 

[xeon]

I have the 2" mopar lift and 35's and have the rear axle shifting too. I apparently fall in the OCD category. I have been told the solution....get an adjustable track bar. But I figure since this is all MOPAR stuff, just like the factory 2" lift and subsequent spring bow, this is just another thing they messed up on and need to fix. I have contacted JeepCares.... umm waste of time. Dealer though is working with them to figure out a solution. Ultimately its the dealer that has to fix it as it has to remain under warranty - another OCD point of mine. However, since the dealer did nothing wrong but install it per MOPAR specs I think FCA / Jeep need to get their act together and stop selling these lifts, provide/sell an adjustable track bar for those that need it or some other fix. Hoping they will just let me install the adjustable track bar and be done with it.

 

[intentsrig]

I have the 2" mopar lift and 35's and have the rear axle shifting too. I apparently fall in the OCD category. I have been told the solution....get an adjustable track bar. But I figure since this is all MOPAR stuff, just like the factory 2" lift and subsequent spring bow, this is just another thing they messed up on and need to fix. I have contacted JeepCares.... umm waste of time. Dealer though is working with them to figure out a solution. Ultimately its the dealer that has to fix it as it has to remain under warranty - another OCD point of mine. However, since the dealer did nothing wrong but install it per MOPAR specs I think FCA / Jeep need to get their act together and stop selling these lifts, provide/sell an adjustable track bar for those that need it or some other fix. Hoping they will just let me install the adjustable track bar and be done with it.

My rear is off as well. So is my front. I just picked up a metalcloak front adjustable trackbar that I’ll be putting on today. Not going to worry about the rear until someone comes out with a bracket

 

[Pressurized]

My rear is off as well. So is my front. I just picked up a metalcloak front adjustable trackbar that I’ll be putting on today. Not going to worry about the rear until someone comes out with a bracket

No need for a bracket, just do the bar. Jeep already did a huge roll center correction in the new factory axles. The brackets on JK's are for roll center correction, not to keep the axle centered. Axle centering (or somewhat close) was just a by product. Roll center effects handling, axle center does not.

Hope that helps.

 

[BillyHW]

Its fine, unless you're OCD. It wont hurt anything. You would have to go over 3" of lift before it would become an issue.

What if you're OCD?!

 

[TTEChris]

No need for a bracket, just do the bar. Jeep already did a huge roll center correction in the new factory axles. The brackets on JK's are for roll center correction, not to keep the axle centered. Axle centering (or somewhat close) was just a by product. Roll center effects handling, axle center does not.

Hope that helps.

I have a @ROAM adjustable trackbar with my 3.5-4" springs and just a few days ago installed their axle side raised rear track bar bracket(I refused to install the frame side that was included with the skyjacker kit.)
The ride became much more stable at highway speeds with just the raised roll center in the rear(Granted, I'm a little taller than the 2-3" Mopar kit.)
I have a ROAM draglink flip & front trackbar bracket to do the same for the front. I will be installing in the next few days.

Also, when raising the trackbar the same height as the lift wouldn't you also be keeping the axle more or less centered since the angle of the rear trackbar should be about the same as factory when raised? I know that's not the main benefit, but it is a nice side effect.

 

[Pressurized]

I have a @ROAM adjustable trackbar with my 3.5-4" springs and just a few days ago installed their axle side raised rear track bar bracket(I refused to install the frame side that was included with the skyjacker kit.)
The ride became much more stable at highway speeds with just the raised roll center in the rear(Granted, I'm a little taller than the 2-3" Mopar kit.)
I have a ROAM draglink flip & front trackbar bracket to do the same for the front. I will be installing in the next few days.

Also, when raising the trackbar the same height as the lift wouldn't you also be keeping the axle more or less centered since the angle of the rear trackbar should be about the same as factory when raised? I know that's not the main benefit, but it is a nice side effect.

I suspect at 4" some bracketing would still help roll center. They set it pretty high at the factory to begin with, so not the same effect as a JK. The frame side bracket was just a replacement for an adjustable track bar. No reason not to use it, but all you'll get is axle centering. Interested to hear how the flip kit goes.

 

[Jason]

so I have the mopar lift and went to have an alignment done today before I leave on a trip tomorrow. It was a local shop, the guy started working on it and then came out and said he couldn't do it because the rear was too far out of line, Said to take it to a dealer or specialty shop. I actually cant even see a difference, it may measure 1/4 of an inch off.

Now he has me worried about taking it on this trip before I can get it into the dealership. Am I worried about nothing?

 

[TTEChris]

so I have the mopar lift and went to have an alignment done today before I leave on a trip tomorrow. It was a local shop, the guy started working on it and then came out and said he couldn't do it because the rear was too far out of line, Said to take it to a dealer or specialty shop. I actually cant even see a difference, it may measure 1/4 of an inch off.

Now he has me worried about taking it on this trip before I can get it into the dealership. Am I worried about nothing?

I would say yes(you are worried about nothing,) as with stock components there is nothing you can adjust for alignment in the rear.
How many people have installed/drive the Mopar lift daily without any issues? Other than the spring bow I haven't had any installations with driveability issues even with the slight misalignment of the axles.

 

[Skye]

I did Rusty's Adj Track Bars front and rear with the Mopar Lift.. I'm OCD... wanted it perfectly centered.

 

[Spank]

I did Rusty's Adj Track Bars front and rear with the Mopar Lift.. I'm OCD... wanted it perfectly centered.

Jeep looks great! How's the size and strength of the new trackbars compared to the OEM ones?

 

[Skye]

Jeep looks great! How's the size and strength of the new trackbars compared to the OEM ones?

Didn't take pics but my opinion is they are more robust and very high quality. Zero worries of failure or premature wear.

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