Control Arm Drop Brackets? Yes / No?
JK Super Freak
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 1
From: East Bridgewater, MA
Bump steer with a 2.5" lift? I don't think that is what you are feeling unless your lift gave you 4" or so. Also, if that is the case, your flighty steering could still be due to low caster if you used the mounting holes for a 2.5" lift. You should get an alignment done to see what you caster is. Should be in the 4.5 degree range to minimize flighty steering without adding too much driveline vibration.
If not the case, flighty steering has a few other causes so start checing all your steering components like drag link. Those bolts tend to wollow out rather quickly if they are not super tight.
I've also heard great things about drive quality of using brackets rather than adj arms but for anyone who bashes on rocks, the loss of some clearance sucks and those stock arms bend rather easily. They might be cheap to replace but it sucks trying to get off a trail if an arm snaps in two.
If not the case, flighty steering has a few other causes so start checing all your steering components like drag link. Those bolts tend to wollow out rather quickly if they are not super tight.
I've also heard great things about drive quality of using brackets rather than adj arms but for anyone who bashes on rocks, the loss of some clearance sucks and those stock arms bend rather easily. They might be cheap to replace but it sucks trying to get off a trail if an arm snaps in two.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
Flighty may be because you new some toe in.
Bump steer is a steering issue not control arms. You have any aftermarket steering components like a pitman arm and trackbar bracket.
FYI I just did te rancho brackets on my '14 and it took me less than 30 min all alone.
The trick is to turn the steering wheel to align the arm bolts.
Bump steer is a steering issue not control arms. You have any aftermarket steering components like a pitman arm and trackbar bracket.
FYI I just did te rancho brackets on my '14 and it took me less than 30 min all alone.
The trick is to turn the steering wheel to align the arm bolts.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
Flighty may be because you new some toe in.
Bump steer is a steering issue not control arms. You have any aftermarket steering components like a pitman arm and trackbar bracket.
FYI I just did te rancho brackets on my '14 and it took me less than 30 min all alone.
The trick is to turn the steering wheel to align the arm bolts.
Bump steer is a steering issue not control arms. You have any aftermarket steering components like a pitman arm and trackbar bracket.
FYI I just did te rancho brackets on my '14 and it took me less than 30 min all alone.
The trick is to turn the steering wheel to align the arm bolts.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 2
From: Parker, Colorado
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
Just bought a torque wrench (Huskey) and tightened to the recommended spec, 75 ft. lbs. on the uppers control arms and 130 ft. lbs. on the lowers...
JK Junkie
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,440
Likes: 0
From: CT
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,637
Likes: 7
From: Mentor, OH
A thread on JK Freaks was just started that is very interesting. The author has some interesting things to say about drop brackets.
The truth about AEV geometry control brackets: a one year review
The truth about AEV geometry control brackets: a one year review
JK Junkie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 1
From: Denver, CO
Drop Bracket = best for road DD use Adjust. contr. arms = best for off road use Drop Bracket makes a huge improvement, I notice immediatellly after installing the brackets that the steering feel is much better, much more precise and way less sloppy. But you loose a bit of ground clearance so you have to compromise.