Does mudding really mess up your alignment?

I have a stock JKUS. Never went mudding b4. What should I expect? What should I do to avoid messing it up and how do I get mudd all over it?

 

I've been mudding quite a few times and never had issues with alignment. you should be fine as long as you dont damage anything.. I've heard spraying the undercarriage with WD-40 before hand really helps from stopping the mud to stick.. Either way cleanup after mudding is a total PITA! Make sure you get the undercarriage and under your skid plates real nice.. i was still finding mud a month later after mudding and cleaning it.
Also if you dont have a front diff cover be really careful as its the lowest point in your keep and mud can hide some big rocks

 

^ x2. Just approach the mud pit carefully ...keep your momentum through the mud pit . Definitely don't go alone ...you will need a another helping hand to get you out of tough spots !!

 

Mudding won't affect your alignment. I've mudded many times and no issues. Be ready for the dirtiness of it though. It gets everywhere. Your entire engine bay will be caked. So as everything on the outside. Forget to wind up your windows and you'll get bonus mud on the inside too.

There are two pieces of advice when mudding. (1) don't go first, have a bigger rig with crazier driver go first. They way if it's too deep or crazy you can hit a bypass instead. (2) when you're in it, GUN IT! Never let off the gas. You stop and you're stuck.

And have a good power washing car wash nearby with $10 handy. You'll need every penny to get your rig looking decent again.

The good news is its fun. And somewhat crazy. Which makes it fun.

 

Ive never had any problem with alignment. Also the clean up for me was not that bad, I didnt get stuck so mud was not really being thrown everywhere, just on the outside. I hosed the mud off immediately, and gave it a quick scrub when i got back home, and it was back to looking decent. If your jeep gets really muddy, you might want to drive around with it on to show off to your friends (I wanted to), but dont do it. Clean up will b way worse once its dry.

 

Yea don't go mudding with a Tj lol they not heavy enough to pull you out :P

 

I love playing in the mud, just not cleaning it! I have bounced around some good sized ruts and never had any issues with alignment. As for the other advice...
Bigger rig, crazier driver:

Check, I even pulled him out once

Hammer down!




My lil green Jeep did well, even on the Goodyear Wrangler SR-As. I have moved up to Rubicon take offs since then.
Great times!

 

I think the issue..if any...from mud'in and alignments is due to people getting in the deep stuff (mud that is) and trying to steer left or right. With the tires sunk in and you pulling left or right on the wheels might..MIGHT...get your alignment off..but that is a long shot if at al...

just trying to think of where this rumor started is all..but i have never heard of it.

 

Watch your temps while mudding. My fan got clogged with mud and would not spin

 

Now that's some good advice! I've had some overheating issues myself that are directly related to mud. It gets into everything and mud and electronics don't place nice.