DanW
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
So I installed @Rancho geometry correction brackets mainly to improve caster angle, which I did not measure before doing, but eyeballing it, I think it was not good. I'm running the Mopar 2" lift with its slightly longer lower control arms. Before getting a better steering dampener, I'd get some slight shimmy hitting bumps on the road accelerating from 35 to 55 mph. When my orignial steering dampener failed, it ws pretty significant on occasion, if the bump and speed were just right. So I put on a Fox 2.0 dampener that cured it. But it bugged me that it was there and I'd read of folks either installing adjustable LCA's or geo correction brackets. The Geo correction brackets promised some slight improvement in ride, so I went that route. I saw one member who had a similar lift and was running the Mopar lift's longer LCA's. He went with the Rancho brackets and used the middle hole and he wound up at 5.7 caster and it drove/steered much better.
After installation (I used the middle hole), it appears to be a little better than 5.5, so I may have landed at the same 5.7. The steering feels fine, as before, but definitely handles bumps and jolts a little softer and better than it did before.
So here is my question.....Based on the photo, did I measure the caster the correct way? I haven't put it on the highway yet, but I'm hoping it feels a bit better (It didn't feel badly before, though). I've read that caster between 5.5 and 6 is what the JL likes and others have said the steering feels much better, especially on the highway. I've got an off-road adventure coming up with about 10 hours of highway to and from, so it'll get a real test then.
SO I put the meter up to the little round hole on the front of the differential/axle housing. That's what I've seen others do. Is that the place to take the measurement?
And here is the result, at least at the best I could position the camera. I may try and take another couple shots just to be sure I was straight-on. But if you zoom in, if you see what I see, it looks to be above 5.5, possibly touching 5.6 or even 5.7. But its a cheap guage from Amazon, so it may be hard to be that precise.
So let me know what you think. I'm thinking it is pretty good and in the range where it needs to be. I just wanted to let the experts around here critique it. I do have the ability to adjust it a little either way. I think if I go to the bottom hole on the brackets, it will increase it a little, but I don't know how much. The LCA's are pretty close to level now.
Fire away!
After installation (I used the middle hole), it appears to be a little better than 5.5, so I may have landed at the same 5.7. The steering feels fine, as before, but definitely handles bumps and jolts a little softer and better than it did before.
So here is my question.....Based on the photo, did I measure the caster the correct way? I haven't put it on the highway yet, but I'm hoping it feels a bit better (It didn't feel badly before, though). I've read that caster between 5.5 and 6 is what the JL likes and others have said the steering feels much better, especially on the highway. I've got an off-road adventure coming up with about 10 hours of highway to and from, so it'll get a real test then.
SO I put the meter up to the little round hole on the front of the differential/axle housing. That's what I've seen others do. Is that the place to take the measurement?
And here is the result, at least at the best I could position the camera. I may try and take another couple shots just to be sure I was straight-on. But if you zoom in, if you see what I see, it looks to be above 5.5, possibly touching 5.6 or even 5.7. But its a cheap guage from Amazon, so it may be hard to be that precise.
So let me know what you think. I'm thinking it is pretty good and in the range where it needs to be. I just wanted to let the experts around here critique it. I do have the ability to adjust it a little either way. I think if I go to the bottom hole on the brackets, it will increase it a little, but I don't know how much. The LCA's are pretty close to level now.
Fire away!
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