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Touchy JK Steering at Freeway Speeds

11K views 43 replies 13 participants last post by  rubiman1969 
#1 ·
I put the Teraflex spacer lift on about 4 months ago, wife's been driving it, I dove it up north last week and can't stand the steering at high speeds, feels twitchy, at low speeds you don't notice it. It has 285/70/17's on it, the shock extensions came with lift are on, had alignment done & they said it was only out a lil bit, wheel is strait, no pulling or uneven tire ware.

Would the AEV or Rancho drop brkt's fix this issue?
 
#3 ·
no it wasn't done on a computer, it was an alignment shop here in Michigan known as having great reputation, in the biz. Art Crane in Mount Clemens. do you think an alignment could cause what I'm feeling?
 
#5 ·
Check out this current thread. There is some good discussion that applies to your case.

http://www.wranglerforum.com/f202/very-loose-steering-after-lift-1077458.html

This is a very common issue and a byproduct of installing a lift and it is more noticeable at highway speeds.

It is likely it is an alignment issue and there is no mechanism to adjust the Caster angle from the factory. You need to add some additional parts. Some recommend dropping the tire air pressure but that just creates more friction on the tires so they don't wander so readily. The proper fix is to correct the Caster angle.
 
#6 ·
Thanks guys, the shop did give me #'s and he said in was in spec, like I said up top it's not loose it feels very responsive, I only drive it once in a while but compared to my new Dodge Ram at freeway speeds it's very responsive. I asked about the brkt kit and he said he wouldn't spend the $ but he also doesn't drive a JKU with a lift. everything is great just wondering if the DROP BRKTS help my issue. also realign if I install them. (with a computer readout this time)
 
#7 ·
Factory range caster = 3.7 to 4.7
It's possible you are towards the low end.
I forgot to mention .. Maybe the case. Checking caster Is another step. It's actually a process the tech needs to preform. It's possible he did not do the caster sweep.
The link in my sig explains a simple way to check caster angle yourself.

Before you decide on brackets. Make sure you have enough coil height. At least 3" on top of this #
 

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#8 ·
Even if wheels are aligned, the 2-door will always feel a LOT twitcher than the 4-door; the faster you drive, the worse it feels.

It used to startle me, but now I am used to it.
 
#13 ·
Terraflex lower control arms took the squirrely feeling out of my 2 door after I installed the Old Man Emu 3" lift. Felt flighty at highway speeds without the LCA's. Especially on 35's. Wasn't as bad with the stock 32" BFG's but still never tracked straight at all.

David at Northridge gave me a good deal on the LCA's and offered good advice with the installation. There are lots of brands available but he recommended the TF and they worked well.
 
#16 ·
Thanks guys, I'll probably order the Ranchos & get re-aligned, NOTE in my Signature on bottom, JKU (4 door)
 
#19 ·
ok, got the alignment done today, guy said it is right on, no changes and no charge. I'll have the computer print out later today once she brings the Jeep home.

Now what??
 
#20 ·
from reading another post (Keeper) I think you're going to say my caster is low. hoping the drop brkts will do something.

well can't even see it. shows caster at 2.8 on the LF and 3.0 on the RF
camber at -0.5 of RF and -0.4 on RF TOE is at .11 on both sides total toe is at .22 not quite sure how to read this but the scan is horrible sorry
 
#24 ·
Is it just me, or is there nothing listed in the 'before' & 'actual' column on his report? Those would be the actual vehicle readings (hence the term) & I don't see any. The 'specified range' column simply indicates the range the readings should be within.. Here is a link to a simple & accurate alignment/wheel angle explanation; Wheel Alignment Explained
It's just you :) JK.. He scanned the pic and the numbers did not copy.
 
#25 ·
ok messed with scanner, this is better, like I said they did not change it, told me it was within specs. If I change anything they will recheck it for me again.
 
#26 ·
When they said it's "within spec", they were only talking about what can normally be adjusted on these, which is only the toe. Numbers in red are out of spec, green is within spec.

Your Caster is still out of spec, which is causing the flighty feeling.
 
#32 ·
how does a drop bracket help with Caster. All that does is drop your roll center. I am not a fan of that.

Your caster can be adjusted by getting adjustable control arms. If you really want to adjust your trackbar make sure you adjust your draglink as well. They need to stay parallel. Also, if you do a high steer, I would use a axle bracket to correct your trackbar. The higher up you can push your trackbar center, the better your roll center will be.
 
#33 ·
how does a drop bracket help with Caster. All that does is drop your roll center. I am not a fan of that. Your caster can be adjusted by getting adjustable control arms. If you really want to adjust your trackbar make sure you adjust your draglink as well. They need to stay parallel. Also, if you do a high steer, I would use a axle bracket to correct your trackbar. The higher up you can push your trackbar center, the better your roll center will be.
???
The upper arm is brought in-rotating the differential down increasing caster.
Roll center =mid point of the track bar to the ground. Track bar brackets determine roll center.
 
#38 · (Edited)
I am so use to building my own stuff, I have not looked to see what they are selling in the market place. So, the penalty is ground clearance to some degree. Does it change you anti squat numbers and if so to what end?
Good question. I know AEV claims to change AS helping with weight transfer/brake dive. I actually ran AEV's and switched over to Ranchos and did not notice a big change. You can see the frame side mounts moved closer together with the AEV Brackets. I'm Not sure about the others or numbers.

There's a local guy on another forum willing to type in people's numbers in a link calculator. It's just too damn cold to get out there and measure anything right now.
 
#39 ·
update, got the Ranchos put on this past weekend, seems to drive better at highway speeds but I think the steering wheel is off a bit, going back in for an alignment check anyway so they'll fix the wheel if it's out.
 
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