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New lift, new tires, pulls to the right

8K views 36 replies 13 participants last post by  Socaljk 
#1 ·
Just got a 3.5 metalcloak arb lift installed with new Cooper ST Maxx 35 inch tires. Noticed it pulled slightly to the right after I picked it up. Not bad, but enough to be annoying and for the price it needs to track straight. They checked the alignment and said it was fine so they said new tires might be the issue and will rotate. They said they may need to wear a little to even them out. Then said they will adjust the control arms if rotating the tires around didn't help.

Would new tires or control arm settings cause a slight pull to the right???
 
#3 ·
Just got a call back and was told tires are fine and that kits with adjustable control arms will need adjustment to get it to track straight.
 
#5 ·
It's funny you said that because I just googled that and read and article that said alignment can be right but the caster angle off which will cause a pull to the right.
 
#8 ·
i have the metalcloak 3.5" arb lift as well with 35" nitto trail grapplers. mine pulls to the left. the wheel is always turned to the right for it to track straight. i have had different shops align it etc but the previous post is right, its a caster issue. i just haven't had time to get it fixed.
 
#10 ·
Got it back today from the dealership (Didn't get the alignment sheet) They adjusted the CA's and said everything in the alignment was now perfect. Drove it away and it still pulls to the right. I read a long thread on Expedition Portal about Cooper ST Maxx pulling to the right issues. The tires are three days old and I have only driven about 20 miles on them. Going to the tire store tomorrow to see if they can figure out if its a tire issue, or just return them and get a different brand..... We will see.
 
#19 ·
Because people like my look at it and see a bunch of numbers that mean nothing to them. I am sure its full of info for someone who knows, but I don't. I assume I am going to drop it off, pay for an alignment and get a properly aligned car which won't require me to think twice about it. That said I am going to try and get the sheet today and post it so people who know about the numbers can give their opinion.
 
#20 ·
I've got an AEV lift and 37" Cooper Discoverer STT's and have had a pull to the left. I can change lanes on the freeway in 6 seconds just by not holding it straight - still haven't gotten it nailed down.

I've been down a bunch of stuff. (Rotate, air pressure, different tires, alignment, ball joints...) new trackbar helped a little, adj control arms are next.

Good luck on your journey.
 
#22 ·
Yea pretty frustrating. If I were to give it my unprofessional opinion I would say its caster. Your pulling to to completely different side so I wouldn't think its tread design. I am going take a day and pull one tire at a time and replace with my spare to see if thats its. I read a couple other forums (expedition portal) that has a long write up on Coopers pulling. Some of the people solved it with CA's and adjusting them to compensate the pull. I have also read that when you adjust the CA's they shouldn't be exactly the same to account for the solid front axel and some other scientific reasons I don't understand.
 
#21 ·
Then said they will adjust the control arms if rotating the tires around didn't help.

Would new tires or control arm settings cause a slight pull to the right???
Both can... They should have adjusted the control arms when they did the alignment, that's part of the process.

You typically want a little higher caster on the passenger side to compensate for standard road crown. Like 4.4 on the drivers side and 4.7 on passenger side, etc.

For tires, there is a radial tire pull diagnosis here:

Step 1Action to be Taken
Rotate the two front tires from side-to-side. Directional tires can be moved from side-to-side for testing purposes. The short time that they are on the vehicle backwards will not harm the tire.Results
1.If the vehicle pulls in the opposite direction, the defective tire is one of the front tires. (GO TO STEP 2)2.If the vehicle pulls in the same direction the problem is either with one of the rear tires or is not a tire-related problem. (GO TO STEP 3)
Step 2Action to be Taken
Rotate the front tire on the side of the car that is in the direction of the pull, to the rear of the car.Results
1.If the pull no longer exists or diminishes greatly, the tire that was moved to the rear of the car is the defective tire.2.If the pulling does not change, the defective tire is isolated to the front tire that was not moved in Step 2.
Step 3Action to be Taken
Rotate the two rear tires from side to side.Results
1.If the vehicle pulls in the opposite direction, the defective tire is one of the rear tires. (GO TO STEP 4)2.If the pulling tire does not change, the problem is not tire related. The car should be checked for possible misalignment or suspension wear.
Step 4Action to be Taken
Rotate the rear tire on the side of the car that is in the direction of the pull to the front of the car.Results
1.If the vehicle pull becomes more severe, the defective tire is isolated to the tire that was rotated to the front of the car.2.If the pulling does not change, the defective tire is isolated to the rear tire that was not rotated.


If it's a tire, you can usually get it replaced pretty easily.

*
 
#23 ·
""""""Natural tendency for a Jake to pull to the right. It's caused by the unequal length front axle shafts turning at the same time, but having different torsional resistances. On FWD cars this was solved decades ago by using shafts with the same torsional resistance, but that's hard or impossible to do inside a solid axle housing. So, Jeep staggers the caster on the JK slightly, about .2 degrees more on the right side. Teraflex and a couple other lift kit mfrs suggest a slightly longer lower right control arm setting to correct this, about 1/8 to 1/4" ought to do it. Bear in mind all this assumes everything else is set up right. Get it on an alignment rack, get the readings and compare them to the factory specs."""

Anyone know if this is true???????
 
#35 ·
I've tried to ask about alignment shops that know Jeeps here in SoCal maybe even 4 wheel to check if the rear axle is good too and got a bunch of do it yourself responses... Sometimes us noobs and working long hours need a drop off place for a little pro help that isn't going to recommend cam bolts or pro-c gear.

As far as coopers, every bit of my research showed they were great tires, great performance, great price...
 
#36 ·
Well a lot has happened tonight. I determine that my lower right control arm is set a little wrong and they didn't center my front axle right. So a lot
To fix before I blame the tires I guess.
 
#37 ·
Well a lot has happened tonight. I determine that my lower right control arm is set a little wrong and they didn't center my front axle right. So a lot To fix before I blame the tires I guess.
and before today I could have not give and crude about an alignment sheet. Now I know to get one every time.
 
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