JKS Fixed Length Front Lower Control Arm.

[bosshogs]

I had a JKS JKonnect 2.5' lift kit installed on my 2022 Wrangler JLUD at a local shop and after install was completed I took the vehicle and got an alignment done. On the way home from getting the alignment done, everything seemed good until I was on the highway and was going about 70-75 mph and started getting the dreaded death wobble, slowed down to about 65mph and it went away. This only happened after going above 70mph and only a couple of times. After getting home safely I took a look at the instructions that came with the lift kit and it looks like the lower control arms were installed backwards.
This is directly copy and paste from the Instructions:
Establish control arm orientation. The arms should be mounted so that the bend goes inward (away from the tire) and the end closest to the bend mounts to the frame.
Taking a look at how the control arms were put in the vehicle, the end closest to the bend was mounted to the axle.

Every YouTube video I have found about installing these control arms are for a JK or older and the end closest to the bend is mounted to the axle on those, I cannot find one for a JL. Can someone with more knowledge provide some guidance here please.

Sponsored

 

[Hucke_250]

Have you gotten underneath the Jeep and measured from the bend to the bushing? From the picture you posted it does look like they are mounted backwards, but measuring would confirm this.

 

[bosshogs]

Have you gotten underneath the Jeep and measured from the bend to the bushing? From the picture you posted it does look like they are mounted backwards, but measuring would confirm this.

Yes, from the axle to the bend it is 10’ and from the frame to the bend it is 15’. I have been told by a few others on Facebook that the end closest to the bend should be mounted to the axle and it is correct. But the instructions clearly state for the end that is closest to the bend should be mounted to the frame, so I am confused.

 

[Maverick909]

Yes, from the axle to the bend it is 10’ and from the frame to the bend it is 15’. I have been told by a few others on Facebook that the end closest to the bend should be mounted to the axle and it is correct. But the instructions clearly state for the end that is closest to the bend should be mounted to the frame, so I am confused.

That’s because they swapped the driver and passenger side. The closer bend is to the axle but on the wrong side

 

[Hucke_250]

Yes, from the axle to the bend it is 10’ and from the frame to the bend it is 15’. I have been told by a few others on Facebook that the end closest to the bend should be mounted to the axle and it is correct. But the instructions clearly state for the end that is closest to the bend should be mounted to the frame, so I am confused.

I’d reach out to JKS to find out if the mounting the control arms backwards could effect castor, tire clearance, or both. I’d also check that the control arm and track bar bolts are tightened to spec.
Did the shop provide you with an alignment sheet showing what your current castor is?

 

[bosshogs]

I’d reach out to JKS to find out if the mounting the control arms backwards could effect castor, tire clearance, or both. I’d also check that the control arm and track bar bolts are tightened to spec.
Did the shop provide you with an alignment sheet showing what your current castor is?

I had to take it to get an alignment from a different shop because the shop that installed the lift didn’t have alignment equipment. I plan on reaching out to JKS tomorrow and get clarification on the mounting part. Here is a pic of the alignment print out.

 

[Riotfunk]

Death wobble is usually gonna be track bar related. Not torqued enough especially frame side. Hole is wallowed out. I’d pull the bolt and check the mount and the TB bushing. It doesn’t take much to mangle it if it isn’t torqued enough

 

[bosshogs]

That’s because they swapped the driver and passenger side. The closer bend is to the axle but on the wrong side

Just got off the phone with JKS and they said the instructions are correct, the end closest to the bend should be mounted to the frame.

 

[Remorseless]

Have those arms and yes, the shop put them on the wrong sides.

 

[GATORB8]

This kind of sounds like balance to me. It's repeatable at the same speed without external impact?

 

[Maverick909]

Just got off the phone with JKS and they said the instructions are correct, the end closest to the bend should be mounted to the frame.

Opps. That’s what I meant! Went out and looks at my Jeep lastnight my apologies!

 

[bosshogs]

This kind of sounds like balance to me. It's repeatable at the same speed without external impact?

Yeah it only happens when above 70mph and if I hit a small bump in the road. Never happened before lift install so I assumed it was something to do with the lift components.

 

[GATORB8]

Yeah it only happens when above 70mph and if I hit a small bump in the road. Never happened before lift install so I assumed it was something to do with the lift components.

10-4, bump in the road points to the components. I'd check the track bar sooner than later so you don't get any wallowing if it's loose.

 

[bosshogs]

Opps. That’s what I meant! Went out and looks at my Jeep lastnight my apologies!

Would you happen to be able to measure from the end that is mounted to your frame to the bend on the LCA and measure the end that is mounted to your axle to the bend and post that here? Mine are axle to bend 10' and frame to bend on the LCA is 15'.

 

[Remorseless]

Would you happen to be able to measure from the end that is mounted to your frame to the bend on the LCA and measure the end that is mounted to your axle to the bend and post that here? Mine are axle to bend 10' and frame to bend on the LCA is 15'.

I can tell you without his measuring that yours are on the wrong sides. The JKS sticker is at the axle side when installed correctly, not the frame side:

Sponsored