I've done a lot of research on this forum but I want to ask about my specific issue...
Just recently had rubicon express 2.5 with mono shocks installed and 35 Mickey Thompson tires. About two weeks ago. I've been off roading twice.
There is no "wobble" it's more of a feeling that if I let go of the tire on the highway the wheels will go any direction they want. They don't hold the line. I have to be very aware and correct the direction with little nudges to the steering wheel. Before it would drive straight on its own. It doesn't lean toward one direction so I don't think it's alignment.
The guy at fortec suggested a dual steering stabilizer... He said 2.5 doesn't need correction bracket. But from what I read on this form I need a correction bracket or longer control arms.
Is there a way I can measure the caster?
What do you guys suggest? I'd like to have a comfortable driving experience for long road trips.
No I didn't... Don't know how. But I assume it might be less positive than it was before because the symptoms seem to match up with others in this form who added a bracket and it fixed the problem.
Do you know if the cam bolt/alignment washers were installed? The Rubicon Express kit includes alignment washers (that we don't like) for caster correction.
You can use an angle finder app on your smart phone and check the pinion flange to calculate caster. If your pinion is at 0 then you have 6 deg caster, if it's at 1 you have 5 deg and so on.
A 2.5 lift is on the edge of needing caster correction, some need it and some do not (in my experience its about 70% that need it).
You are describing a typical low caster experience. Caster provides the steering with a self centering effect that makes your wheels want to go straight down the road.
Use an app on your phone or you can buy an angle finder at Harbor Freight for $5. Make sure you measure the angle of the driveway and take that into account as well.
Use the flats on the center section where the tubes go in. A bit easier to get to and get a gauge(or your phone) onto.
If the alignment washers were installed, it should be able to be set with those. If they weren't, I would use a set of control arm drop brackets or a set of lower control arms.
I have same setup. RE 2.5 coil lift with adj control arms and 35s. Had same feeling as you did. If I hit a hard bump the front tires would shimmy a little too, but they always calmed down right away. Still very unnerving.
Installed dual steering stabilizer and it was a great improvement. Not perfect, but way better. Most issues went away. I'm still waiting to install Synergy ball joints which I hope puts the final nail in the front suspension coffin.
I whole heartedly recommend a dual steering stabilizer. For about $125 you will not be disappointed.
I have same setup. RE 2.5 coil lift with adj control arms and 35s. Had same feeling as you did. If I hit a hard bump the front tires would shimmy a little too, but they always calmed down right away. Still very unnerving. Installed dual steering stabilizer and it was a great improvement. Not perfect, but way better. Most issues went away. I'm still waiting to install Synergy ball joints which I hope puts the final nail in the front suspension coffin. I whole heartedly recommend a dual steering stabilizer. For about $125 you will not be disappointed.
I put on an old man emu single stabilizer. And then put on the aev correction brackets which got rid of that shimmy. Talk to the guys at forte, that's who works on my jeep up here in Atlanta, the brackets are $100 and maybe an hour to install. I have a RE 3.5 by the way.
That would be great @Pressurized if you could show me where to measure.
Ok went out and did chalk test. Noticed not much chalk gone from inner tread. Took it down to 38 psi. It's definitely better. But I don't think I would like much lower. It's really "mushy." I think I'm using the entire tire now so it will be used evenly at least. I will continue to monitor.
Lowering the psi helped but I still feel like the wheel is lose and I can literally move the wheel a a couple inches each direction back and fourth and the the jeep doesn't even start turning. Will the longer arms help with this?
That would be great @Pressurized if you could show me where to measure. Ok went out and did chalk test. Noticed not much chalk gone from inner tread. Took it down to 38 psi. It's definitely better. But I don't think I would like much lower. It's really "mushy." I think I'm using the entire tire now so it will be used evenly at least. I will continue to monitor. Lowering the psi helped but I still feel like the wheel is lose and I can literally move the wheel a a couple inches each direction back and fourth and the the jeep doesn't even start turning. Will the longer arms help with this?
that's honestly still way to high. The stock km2's are only a max of 37. Large side wall tires will have a slightly mushy feeling in corners just the nature of the beast. As others have stated you should try in the 27-30 psi range. Larger tires require less psi as they have a larger foot print to exert the same pressure on the road with less pressure over all. Also the larger volume of air requires less psi over all to maintain the same lift in the tire so to speak. Geo brackets or longer control arms will improve your touchy handling.
That link is for TJ.
No you dont "need" Other than front lowers.
@ 3.5" + rear upper arms would be used for pinion angle.
A single set of rear lower arms will do little alone.
Both uppers and lowers can be used to position the axle back and correct pinion.
Same with the front, uppers and lowers (wheelbase + pinion/caster)
A complete set of all 8 arms is not really needed running a small lift.
I also forgot to add check your torque values on your arms and track bars. Loose components will delay steering inputs as well as add slop to the steering. The track bars have the greatest impact on this.
That is the max pressure for the maximum weight. Around 2300-2500 pounds per tire times 4. Your Jeep weighs less than half of that. I run mine at 26-27 as mentioned above. Try them around 30 and you will feel the difference.
1. Alignment fixed MOST of the problem. My caster was perfect so I don't need long lower control arms or brackets etc.
2. Lowering PSI did help a little. I kept it at 30 to have even tire wear.
3. Because I drive on interstate every day, I did install a bilstein dual steering stabilizer and that makes driving high speeds really nice and comfortable. I can relax a little on road trips.
Apparently the stock stabilizer doesn't do a great job with handling the bigger tires.
Now the ride is amazing!
Hope this helps anyone else who comes upon the same problem and finds this thread
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