How Much Caster is Too Much?

[Dr. RGB]

Hi everyone. Recently, I started to experience death wobble, have changed a ton of parts and finally had it aligned. Drives totally fine now (yet, I am replacing ball joints this weekend), but my alignment readout said that my caster is sitting at 8.1 degrees right now. Now that seems to be too high to me, but the JL drives like a champ (I was late to see a client this morning and romped on the poor thing for almost an hour). Just looking for some observations on your caster experiences.

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[AnnDee4444]

By itself 8 degrees of caster is fine, however your pinion angle might be too extreme. This issues won't show up in 2WD though.

 

[letsassume]

if you’re comfortable running 8, go for it. Be cautious in 4WD though, you’re likely to get a ton of vibration, at the very least. Me personally, I’d slowly dial back to find a lower number that still keeps death wobble away. I believe I’m running mid 6. I had dw before when I was at a mid 5, but every jeep is different. What works for me may not work for you.

 

[Dr. RGB]

By itself 8 degrees of caster is fine, however your pinion angle might be too extreme. This issues won't show up in 2WD though.

I am thinking of swapping drive shafts to help with this. The pinion angle does look fairly low.

 

[Dr. RGB]

if you’re comfortable running 8, go for it. Be cautious in 4WD though, you’re likely to get a ton of vibration, at the very least. Me personally, I’d slowly dial back to find a lower number that still keeps death wobble away. I believe I’m running mid 6. I had dw before when I was at a mid 5, but every jeep is different. What works for me may not work for you.

Yeah, I have been running around low 6's, but the short wheelbase made things sketchy. I'll roll it back one twist and see how things go. Thanks!

 

[blnewt]

Yeah, I have been running around low 6's, but the short wheelbase made things sketchy. I'll roll it back one twist and see how things go. Thanks!

What was sketchy w/ your caster in the low 6 range? Low 6 should still allow you to run at speed w/ little correction.

 

[2019 JLUR]

When you are at 8 do the springs bow toward the rear because of the higher caster? When I switch to the 4.5" spring I am thinking of shooting for 7 if the springs don't bow to much.

 

[srt20]

I would have to measure again, but I think it is somewhere between 8-9* on mine. I may have lowered it after replacing ball joints, but I doubt it.

I have no driveshaft vibration at all, 4wd or not.

Springs dont bow to the back, but they do bow in because of not having correct spring pads after I installed a lift. I do have proper pads, but haven’t replaced yet because its not an issue for street driving or light off roading. The springs do catch at higher articulation angles. I park the Jeep during the “salt season” here and will replace pads then.

 

[roaniecowpony]

By itself 8 degrees of caster is fine, however your pinion angle might be too extreme. This issues won't show up in 2WD though.

As long as you have a FAD. Once you delete the FAD, that driveshaft will let you know when it isn't happy with the pinion angle. (or when in 4H at high speeds)

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