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Maybe My Setup Just Sucks

6K views 83 replies 16 participants last post by  WranglerChik 
#1 ·
Back again! Ok so KJeeper (thank you) thus helped to resolve the twitchy steering issue so I will be saving for new front lower adjustable control arms.

Lowered my PSI to 29 and recal'd to match pressure and light came on while driving (waiting on an answer for that on another thread--thank you again)

Now I'm thinking maybe I did this ALL wrong. Drove the Jeep on the highway (through Staten Island and Brooklyn to jersey--very bumpy) and aside from the twitchy steering...I get this feeling when I hit the bumps it's entirely too hard...and also I'm bouncing around in my seat probably too much. Correct me if I'm wrong.

The jeep supposed to tilt that much when you hit bumps and all? I thought the shocks and coils will help to keep the Jeep more straight while I go over bumps.

My setup ( so far) RK 2.5" coils with front RK track bar. OME steering stabilizer. Fox Evolution (thought it was performance but not) shocks.
33" Mickey Thompson ATZ P3 at 29 PSI with 18" rims.

About 5600 miles and I feel as if I want to sell it (but won't).

Man I'm wordy! Thanks for reading though.
 
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#2 ·
I think you would benefit from somebody with real Jeep suspension knowledge actually driving and looking at yours. I thought you mentioned other day a shop that does customizing, not really a 4x4 shop did your lift? Either try to find a real Jeep "person" or a real 4x4 shop that builds Jeeps. They will be able to find problem as opposed to throwing parts at it. Yours may be beyond describing your problems here on this forum. Almost seems like something wasn't done right during the install. RK coils are supposed to be very smooth. Ken is the man when it comes to helping people out, but this sounds like a hands on diagnosis at this point, if you are bouncing around your seat. Try to find a local Jeep club and see if they can recommend somebody. Hopefully you can get this thing straightened out.
 
#3 ·
There is a 4x4 shop in Long Island about 45 minutes from Brooklyn called Sammy's Auto. They specialize in Jeeps. I did a gear swap, lockers, gussets, sleeves and some other stuff there, will be going back for the lift. You might wanna give them a call (516)939-6624.
 
#5 ·
I was going to recommend a new shop, too, Chik! Sounds like someone local has an option for you.

Good luck getting it all straightened out! :thumb:
 
#6 ·
Airing down the tires was a good thing for troubleshooting purposes. It can help the twitchy sterling sometimes. But it sounds like you might have other things going on with your suspension.
Hope you get it sorted out soon. Keep us posted!
 
#11 ·
Do you have a buddy with stock wheels you could swap for a test? I'd do that just so you feel the difference tires can make. 33s on 18s still have a short sidewall, so not as much flexing as 33s on 17 or 16s would have. To bad you weren't closer, I've got a set in my garage.
 
#12 ·
That's actually a pretty good idea. I have lowest of the line stock tires in my shed house. And THAT I can do myself to see how they feel. Too bad I'm not home now so I can try it out this very moment. I'd def know what it would be then.

Thanks! And thanks for the offer. I need more Jeep friends...working on it at least.
 
#14 ·
Twitchy steering sounds like a loose track bar. If they installed an OME steering stabilizer and moved the bracket, as you should, they might have not tightened down all the parts on the axle side bracket. It is easy to get that one wrong as the instructions that come with the OME steering stabilizer are very lacking.

With your tires aired down and the bumps still rockin you that could be sway bars out of whack. Did they put on new sway bar extensions in the back and move the back to the front with your lift? Even 2.5" needs sway bar extension adjustment.

I think the idea of going to that shop on Long Island is the best idea posted here so far. Good luck. Don't give up, you can get that Jeep riding better.
 
#15 ·
Very first thing I suggest is checking the torque on every nut and bolt. I had a very similar experience with my lift (installed myself) and found that I had neglected to tighten my rear control arms to spec. That fixed the majority of the problem. I will also say that the ride will improve as things "settle" in. I was still not thrilled with my ride quality (and I installed an expensive lift that was noted for ride quality) until I got some miles on her. Today, without changing anything else, the ride is very nice and I am very happy with my choices.

Hope this helps. Good luck.
 
#16 ·
Very first thing I suggest is checking the torque on every nut and bolt. I had a very similar experience with my lift (installed myself) and found that I had neglected to tighten my rear control arms to spec. That fixed the majority of the problem. I will also say that the ride will improve as things "settle" in. I was still not thrilled with my ride quality (and I installed an expensive lift that was noted for ride quality) until I got some miles on her. Today, without changing anything else, the ride is very nice and I am very happy with my choices.

Hope this helps. Good luck.
Hey thanks for the reassuring words. I def think I have some track bar/steering stabilizer issues bc everything looks a little too close to each other in spite of my guy turning the stabilizer away from the track bar. I can't fix all that bc I don't want to mess anything up by getting cocky, but I am sure able to check the torque on the bolts.

I'm going to google wrangler torque specs to check that out too. I'm working on it today.

Going to fix the alignment. Seems pretty straight forward and easy.

Btw the installing lower control arms seem easy to put on myself too...like a bolt and adjust caster and go, but I can't do that with a regular jack right? Haha never mind...getting cocky again.

Just seems so annoying that I'm pretty damn handy, but not fully sure of myself to risk my ride.
 
#19 ·
I hope you have a long torque wrench. TB & lower control arms are 125 ft lbs, rear upper control arms are 125, front upper control arms are 80-90. Make sure you check my figures with the attached file. Look up the shocks as I cannot remember that one right now.

Good luck, you will find something. Also, if you check all this and are still stumped go to that 4x4 shop on Long Island.
 

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#20 ·
I didn't have any of those tools. I just couldn't bare to trust myself and risk anything falling apart. So I'm looking its purchasing control arms now.

You or anyone else ever hear of Daystar? They are running all control arms for $849.

Loving the metal cloak and I hear nothing but great things about their products...but roundabout $600 for the front two and back two make that round about $1200. Seems steep for a mall crawler like myself. But my eyes are like "ooooh pretty yellow" haha - I can always spray the Daystar.

But I'm thinking resale value too. What do you guys think?

RK is something I like too...just a smidgen cheaper than MC.

Any ideas?

Btw not doing brackets bc I figure why not go all the way, ya know.
 
#21 ·
Control arms are not something to cheap out on. The bushings in them are key to a solid suspension really. They absorb a lot of vibration as well as noise. I have MC, about 10 miles on them, no squeaks, rattles and run really smooth. They also have a lot of flex. A lot I people here also happy with RK. Another brand that doesn't get talked about that are very good are Currie arms. Continue to research and it will benefit you in the long run. You never know when you will decide to crawl somewhere besides the mall.
 
#24 ·
Are you running drop brackets on your front lower control arms. I ran my TF 2.5 inch lift without them and the steering was flighty. Twitchy? Maybe. With the Rancho brackets, totally gone. My caster was out of spec and now it's smack dab in the middle of the range. Drives great, solid steering again plus no more brake dive.

Arms will fix caster but not geometry. Brackets fix geometry and caster. Quality arms will run your $200-$300 for just the front lowers. The brackets can be had for $120, maybe less.

If you are running brackets, that's five minutes of my life I'll never get back ;)
 
#29 ·
What RK coils do you have, first gen or new triple
Rate coils ?
BTW, the off the shelf Fox shocks are known to be on the firmer side.

Honesty, get the drop brackets or control arms ASAP. You'll be surprised how many issues these fix as far as ride.
I just know that the front is progressive and rear is standard.
I bought the shocks bc I loved how the Teraflex. Video showed them off when they were driving fast across a dirt road. THOUGHT it would have been good for me, but maybe I was wrong. It's a pretty springy ride just going straight...but I don't mind it.

Definitely an awesome write up on the Rancho Brackets btw. You have managed to sway many of my decisions on the parts I bought so far and thus far, I'm not unhappy. Just now learning about the difference ALL suspension parts will make for the ride.

Brackets will def help save me a lot of money.
 
#27 ·
WranglerChik, I know you mentioned that you don't want to use brackets, BUT there's a good thread here about the Rancho Control Arm drop brackets and how they have helped issues that folks were having. It might be worth a few minutes of your time to check it out before shelling out the $ for new CA's.... Flyfishnevada also mentioned it in his post above.

Sorry to hear you are having these issues. Keep us posted on your progress.
 
#30 ·
WranglerChik, I know you mentioned that you don't want to use brackets, BUT there's a good thread here about the Rancho Control Arm drop brackets and how they have helped issues that folks were having. It might be worth a few minutes of your time to check it out before shelling out the $ for new CA's.... Flyfishnevada also mentioned it in his post above.

Sorry to hear you are having these issues. Keep us posted on your progress.
Hey there Sinclair! No worries. It comes with the Jeep learning experience. In the end, I Always get to impress my guy friends with how much I know with my technical jargon haha

My friend who bought a Jeep and OWNS an auto Body shop asks ME questions. Major pride plus.

That CA Bracket for the Rancho seems like a no loose since they let you try them out. So, I'm going shopping.
 
#32 · (Edited)
Ahhhhh, the newer coils are a 100 times better on the road. Do you have a 2 door or 4 door ?

The TF tuned Fox shocks are not all that bad.

If you have a 2 door I ran the same setup.
RK 1st gen coils
TF fox shocks
TF front lowers replaced with Rancho brackets.
TF rear axle side bracket
 
#37 ·
You guys are too funny. I'm going to do the controls rims for now. Would this also fix the curve at the end of my coils in the back? I mean "bowing" towards the axle end?

I'm glad you guys are willingly supplying this info without getting frustrated with anyone. It's a treat.

I want to know as much as I can. Plus it's pretty neat (yes I said neat) to shell out info too after learning.

Btw KJeeper, I driving a two door. 2014. I think I know the answer is no to this, but for reassurance purposes, running wheel spacers to bring the tires out a little more help in the tip-wobble of the cab? (Not death wobble)
 
#39 ·
My JK is super twitchy to the point I'm surprised I haven't got a sober DUI for not being able to drive straight. This all happened after putting 285/70/17R's on the stock Rubi wheels. I added 1.5'' spacers and that helped a lot. My tire pressure was at 35 cold and like 38 warm. I lowered it to 29 cold and like 33 warm and that helped tremendously but still doesn't seem as straight as my previous JK's. Maybe a stronger steering stabilizer?
 
#42 ·
My JK is super twitchy to the point I'm surprised I haven't got a sober DUI for not being able to drive straight. This all happened after putting 285/70/17R's on the stock Rubi wheels. I added 1.5'' spacers and that helped a lot. My tire pressure was at 35 cold and like 38 warm. I lowered it to 29 cold and like 33 warm and that helped tremendously but still doesn't seem as straight as my previous JK's. Maybe a stronger steering stabilizer?[/QUO

I have the OME stabilizer so I thought that would do while I get those chunky brackets. I can't quite afford to go big right now so I need something to fix my Mall Crawler till I can graduate. Might even go and get the synergy drag link flip kit, is it?
 
#48 ·
Coil bow happens when you lift, move the axle back and rotate the axle for pinion angle correction.
Rk and a few other manufactures make correction wedges. If the coils are really bowed, the perches tack welds can be ground down/broke free and perch rotated. Last option JKS makes a bolt on perch.
 
#50 ·
Exactly how many miles have you driven on those Foxies? KJeep mentions it but it may have gotten lost in between control arms, dog walks, something dropped and caster oil. :)
When I first installed my lift I freaked out because of how harsh it rode. For me it was simply tire pressure and the Fox shocks. They DO take a good 100-200 miles to "settle in". Sounds like you're on the right path and needed some alignment correction but don't panic if the ride is still a tad harsh.
 
#51 ·
Exactly how many miles have you driven on those Foxies? KJeep mentions it but it may have gotten lost in between control arms, dog walks, something dropped and caster oil. :)
When I first installed my lift I freaked out because of how harsh it rode. For me it was simply tire pressure and the Fox shocks. They DO take a good 100-200 miles to "settle in". Sounds like you're on the right path and needed some alignment correction but don't panic if the ride is still a tad harsh.
Thanks for the reassurance. Definitely haven't driven enough on these FOX shocks. So after the control arms and brackets I should be ok. If not, I'll just keep working on her. Not like I'd stop anyway
 
#52 ·
So I got the control arm brackets put on and two upper rear control arms (RK) installed from an awesome guy that knew what he was doing! I'm pleased with the outcome.

I realized now that I just simply bought the wrong shocks for the ride I wanted. But I'm pleased with the Jeep ride and safety and that's all I needed.

Thank you all for helping me out.
 
#53 ·
So I got the control arm brackets put on and two upper rear control arms (RK) installed from an awesome guy that knew what he was doing! I'm pleased with the outcome. I realized now that I just simply bought the wrong shocks for the ride I wanted. But I'm pleased with the Jeep ride and safety and that's all I needed. Thank you all for helping me out.
Good news ..:thumb:

One question .. I missed your last post.
The RK rear uppers .. What's your pinion angle look like ? I was under the impression the RK rear uppers were too long to install alone ? (Without lowers)
 
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