[AustyPosty]

Just curious. I did a DIY alignment on my front upper control arms, I didn’t pay attention to the length of them rather the caster being the same on each side. I’ll have to double check but I’m 90% sure they are a different length from each other but reading the same amount of caster. About 5.5 on each side

 

[TBJeepin]

Just curious. I did a DIY alignment on my front upper control arms, I didn’t pay attention to the length of them rather the caster being the same on each side. I’ll have to double check but I’m 90% sure they are a different length from each other but reading the same amount of caster. About 5.5 on each side

When I installed my lift I took it in for an alignment and they made the driver side uppers and lowers nearly a 1/2" shorter than the passenger. I suspected they had screwed up so I called Metal Cloak. They told me they need to be the same length on each side or it could cause premature bushing wear. They also told me there is some cross caster (whatever that is) so I may have a slightly different reading on one side than the other.

 

[Rob50lx]

They should be equal length in a perfect world but sometimes to get a perfect alignment they made need to be slightly different. It all depends on how the tolerances line up. My Jeep is old enough that it wouldn't bother me if they were off by 1/8" to get a perfect alignment where axles were centered and parallel and square to the body.

 

[AustyPosty]

When I installed my lift I took it in for an alignment and they made the driver side uppers and lowers nearly a 1/2" shorter than the passenger. I suspected they had screwed up so I called Metal Cloak. They told me they need to be the same length on each side or it could cause premature bushing wear. They also told me there is some cross caster (whatever that is) so I may have a slightly different reading on one side than the other.

That’s interesting... I have the Metalcloak arms as well, I might need to go back and check my measurements on the arms... I’m defintely ok if one side has slightly more or less caster if it means the bushings being happy.

 

[Pressurized]

Set the lowers to the same length... Around 23" to 23-1/8". Then set one upper to 18-7/8" and install. Then adjust the other upper so that the bolts slide in without any bind at all.

If you need more caster, lengthen both lowers one turn, or if you need less, shorten both lowers by 1 turn.

Cross caster is the difference between left and right caster. The Dana axles are built with cross caster by design. Normally the passenger side is .2 to .4 higher than the driver's side. This is to counteract road crown.

 

[HKLover]

Set the lowers to the same length... Around 23" to 23-1/8". Then set one upper to 18-7/8" and install. Then adjust the other upper so that the bolts slide in without any bind at all.

If you need more caster, lengthen both lowers one turn, or if you need less, shorten both lowers by 1 turn.

Cross caster is the difference between left and right caster. The Dana axles are but with cross caster by design. Normally the passenger side is .2 to .4 higher than the driver's side. This is to counteract road crown.

What he said. That is all. Carry on. Nothing to see here.........

 

[rsmwrangler]

I'd think you should make them the same to avoid premature bushing wear. In Factory trim they're the same length and the cross caster is built in the C's. A very small variance might be ok as long as the bushing is not binding but I can't tell how much is too much. You can always contact the vendor as well for their take on it. I'll make both the same length and error on the same approach the factory used.