Would someone PLEASE explain to me ,how the castor angle on the front axle makes your Jeep wander around driving down the highway in 2WD..?? This is with a 3" lift installed. Thanks for your time and reply.

 

The more caster, the more natural force there is keeping the front wheels straight in the direction of travel.

If your lift reduces the caster, the front wheels will have less force keeping them straight with the direction of travel.
Irregularities in the road surface will tend to make the wheels turn away from the direction of travel.

Is this the info you are looking for?

 

ronjenx, I'm not sure.? Castor has to do with the front wheel tilt,angle? I'm also wondering about the front driveshaft and pinion angle?.. Thanks

I guess what I'm learning, adjustable lower controll arms fix (cure) both of these problems? The Zone 3" kit that I installed came with cam bolts that I DID NOT use. Thanks again..J.H.

 

I believe this Teraflex video has a blurb on caster and how to correct it after a lift ...
[h=1]TeraFlex Tech: Choosing a lift for your JK.[/h]

 

When you lift your jeep and keep the stock control arms, the back end of the differential housing tilts up and away from the ground. This cause you to lose the 4 degrees of positive caster the jeep comes with from the factory. A pair of lower adjustable control arms can get you back to stock or near stock castor and improve your wandering issue.

 

Here's the portion of the video that explains it ...
Start at the 5:00 mark of this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xZUSrjamaJE#t=303s

 

I was at 3.25" with a Teraflex 2.5" spring and 3/4" pucks and met the requirements for a AEV CA correction bracket,
so for the price I gave it a shot... At first it was more like 3.5" and it worked well until my springs settled.

Now my driveline angle is a lil off (to the positive side) and still drives ok, But I am worried about driveline wear and
wear on my new tires.

I know factory castor is around +4 degrees, but is more better? And how much is too much?

 

More castor, at least up to about 6 degrees will enhance the handling of your Jeep as it will track better and not wander. More castor should not cause excessive tire wear. The problem with castor comes into play with the front pinion angle. If it is excessive (at 6 degrees castor the pinion would be at 0 degrees, at 4 degrees the pinion is pointing up two degrees.) you can develop driveline vibes which could eventually lead to grenading your transfer case. The vibes become more of an issue if you are running 5.13 gears and an aftermarket double cardan driveshaft. If you still have the stock driveshaft, it will puke its grease which you will see on the underbelly of your Jeep and then it will eventually fail at which time there is a possibility it will also take out the transfer case.

 

Can you elaborate on this a little? Just installed a 4" lift, still have stock driveline. When I re-gear, and get my double-cardan, I have an increased chance of vibes? On the old XJ, I was trained it was the opposite?

 

Gotchya... I am gonna get the front end aligned (again... got it done ritght after the install) and see where my castor is.
If it is way over +6 degrees I have a plan... if not, I put it in gear and go!