Control Arms - Help
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JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Sherman, Tx
Control Arms - Help
I had a 4" zone lift installed a few weeks ago and am not happy with it at all, after more research (which I should have done first) I am understanding that the next best thing to do is get adjustable control arms to help level everything out?
Here's the problems with the lift I have (only springs, shocks, steering stabilizer, adjustable track bars installed)
1.) even after a alignment my steering wheel still isn't straight when driving straight (little left)
2.) sometimes when I'm driving straight the traction control kicks on and freaks out.
3.) If I hit a bump or something around 55mph or slower it throws my jeep into a very scary wobble I'm assuming this is the dreaded "death wobble". But I never had it or experienced it before the lift.
4.) I think my "toe in" or caster is off? My wheels just look funny - like that are sitting even or something.
Any advice??? Please please please give me any info you can. Currently I don't even want to drive it due to fear of making it worse...
I know for sure I want to order a full set of control arms this week and try to make the best out of the lift I have. Any recommendations on a good quality but decent price set of arms??
Here's the problems with the lift I have (only springs, shocks, steering stabilizer, adjustable track bars installed)
1.) even after a alignment my steering wheel still isn't straight when driving straight (little left)
2.) sometimes when I'm driving straight the traction control kicks on and freaks out.
3.) If I hit a bump or something around 55mph or slower it throws my jeep into a very scary wobble I'm assuming this is the dreaded "death wobble". But I never had it or experienced it before the lift.
4.) I think my "toe in" or caster is off? My wheels just look funny - like that are sitting even or something.
Any advice??? Please please please give me any info you can. Currently I don't even want to drive it due to fear of making it worse...
I know for sure I want to order a full set of control arms this week and try to make the best out of the lift I have. Any recommendations on a good quality but decent price set of arms??
JK Junkie
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: HAWAII
Here is a link that will give you some useful information...
http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write-...-end-alignment
DEATH WOBBLE : What it is, What it isn't and What You Can Do to Fix it
1.) even after a alignment my steering wheel still isn't straight when driving straight (little left)
The alignment shop may have not done a good job. You need to recenter/straighten out your steering wheel. This will also help with your problem you are having with #2. Even when your steering wheel is slightly off, the computer will think you are in a skid and the ESP will kick in.
2.) sometimes when I'm driving straight the traction control kicks on and freaks out.
See question #1
3.) If I hit a bump or something around 55mph or slower it throws my jeep into a very scary wobble I'm assuming this is the dreaded "death wobble". But I never had it or experienced it before the lift.
You should loosen all your track bar bolts and control arm bolts. With the Jeep's 4 wheels planted on the ground, bounce all four corners of the Jeep up & down, then retighten all the bolts you loosened to the proper torque specs
4.) I think my "toe in" or caster is off?
At 4" of lift you should look into at least getting Front adjustable lower control arms. This will help you get back your caster so that your jeep won't feel so flighty. Also you may be experiencing bump steer with that much lift. A drag link flip kit could eliminate that problem
http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write-...-end-alignment
DEATH WOBBLE : What it is, What it isn't and What You Can Do to Fix it
1.) even after a alignment my steering wheel still isn't straight when driving straight (little left)
The alignment shop may have not done a good job. You need to recenter/straighten out your steering wheel. This will also help with your problem you are having with #2. Even when your steering wheel is slightly off, the computer will think you are in a skid and the ESP will kick in.
2.) sometimes when I'm driving straight the traction control kicks on and freaks out.
See question #1
3.) If I hit a bump or something around 55mph or slower it throws my jeep into a very scary wobble I'm assuming this is the dreaded "death wobble". But I never had it or experienced it before the lift.
You should loosen all your track bar bolts and control arm bolts. With the Jeep's 4 wheels planted on the ground, bounce all four corners of the Jeep up & down, then retighten all the bolts you loosened to the proper torque specs
4.) I think my "toe in" or caster is off?
At 4" of lift you should look into at least getting Front adjustable lower control arms. This will help you get back your caster so that your jeep won't feel so flighty. Also you may be experiencing bump steer with that much lift. A drag link flip kit could eliminate that problem
Last edited by aldaman; Dec 30, 2012 at 11:02 PM.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Sherman, Tx
Here is a link that will give you some useful information...
http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write-...-end-alignment
DEATH WOBBLE : What it is, What it isn't and What You Can Do to Fix it
1.) even after a alignment my steering wheel still isn't straight when driving straight (little left)
The alignment shop may have not done a good job. You need to recenter/straighten out your steering wheel. This will also help with your problem you are having with #2. Even when your steering wheel is slightly off, the computer will think you are in a skid and the ESP will kick in.
2.) sometimes when I'm driving straight the traction control kicks on and freaks out.
See question #1
3.) If I hit a bump or something around 55mph or slower it throws my jeep into a very scary wobble I'm assuming this is the dreaded "death wobble". But I never had it or experienced it before the lift.
You should loosen all your track bar bolts and control arm bolts. With the Jeep's 4 wheels planted on the ground, bounce all four corners of the Jeep up & down, then retighten all the bolts you loosened to the proper torque specs
4.) I think my "toe in" or caster is off?
At 4" of lift you should look into at least getting Front adjustable lower control arms. This will help you get back your caster so that your jeep won't feel so flighty. Also you may be experiencing bump steer with that much lift. A drag link flip kit could eliminate that problem
http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write-...-end-alignment
DEATH WOBBLE : What it is, What it isn't and What You Can Do to Fix it
1.) even after a alignment my steering wheel still isn't straight when driving straight (little left)
The alignment shop may have not done a good job. You need to recenter/straighten out your steering wheel. This will also help with your problem you are having with #2. Even when your steering wheel is slightly off, the computer will think you are in a skid and the ESP will kick in.
2.) sometimes when I'm driving straight the traction control kicks on and freaks out.
See question #1
3.) If I hit a bump or something around 55mph or slower it throws my jeep into a very scary wobble I'm assuming this is the dreaded "death wobble". But I never had it or experienced it before the lift.
You should loosen all your track bar bolts and control arm bolts. With the Jeep's 4 wheels planted on the ground, bounce all four corners of the Jeep up & down, then retighten all the bolts you loosened to the proper torque specs
4.) I think my "toe in" or caster is off?
At 4" of lift you should look into at least getting Front adjustable lower control arms. This will help you get back your caster so that your jeep won't feel so flighty. Also you may be experiencing bump steer with that much lift. A drag link flip kit could eliminate that problem
JK Freak
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From: Quebec City
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JK Enthusiast
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From: Sherman, Tx
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JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Humble, Texas
You should be able to recenter the steering wheel yourself. Just loosen a couple of bolts turn the rod and tighten. There is a good video on YouTube that walks you through the entire process. This will also help with the traction control being kicked on. There is a sensor that trips depending on speed and how your wheel is turned.
You need to define "good price". I would go with Metal Cloak, Teraflex, Rock Krawler, JKS or Currie. Those are on the higher end of price and performance in my opinion.
Someone above mentioned Rough Country and I don't know anyone who runs them but hear they are a reputable company.
You need to define "good price". I would go with Metal Cloak, Teraflex, Rock Krawler, JKS or Currie. Those are on the higher end of price and performance in my opinion.
Someone above mentioned Rough Country and I don't know anyone who runs them but hear they are a reputable company.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Bakersfield, Ca.
JK Freak
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Charleston, SC
The problems you list don't have anything to do with the control arms. The steering wheel being off center can be fixed with a 15mm wrench and 5 minutes of your time. That will also fix the ESP issue. Almost all death wobble issues are front track bar related. Make sure the track bar bolts are torqued to 125 ft/ lbs. Other wobbles can be caused by tire balancing, bad ball joints, worn steering stabilizer, etc. but they aren't death wobble.
Wasting your money on a set of 8 control arms won't fix any of this. Adjustable front lower control arms will let you add some caster that will make the Jeep track a little straighter, but you better start saving up for a new front drive shaft. You don't need any of the other arms at all.
Wasting your money on a set of 8 control arms won't fix any of this. Adjustable front lower control arms will let you add some caster that will make the Jeep track a little straighter, but you better start saving up for a new front drive shaft. You don't need any of the other arms at all.