Help with steering wheel centering
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
When you're ready to try again, I'd say being within 1/16" from side to side would be fine. Then recenter the steering wheel with the drag link adjustment. It's simple to adjust but can be frustrating because very slight rotation on the collar makes a difference. It took me quite some time to get it just right.
Last edited by Roxster; Aug 31, 2008 at 11:16 PM.
JK Freak
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 717
Likes: 0
From: kunkletown, PA
dude just put the track bar back in to center the axle and use the drag link to re center the steering wheel every ones steering wheel is off after a mod to the suspension just consider getting a rock Krawler drag link cause you'll be doing more and chances are you'll need to re center again the rock Krawler setup is extra beefy to take abuse off road and the adjustment is super easy, just loosen the two bolts and a simple turn with one hand up or down and your done. Younwont regret it
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
He doesn't need a new drag link...I'm not sure where that recommendation is coming from.
A 1/16" is within acceptable range, but it all depends what method of measurement you are using as to how accurate of a reading you are getting. If you are just doing the 2x4 method Wayoflife has recommended on his website, you could probably be off 1/4" and still be good (since that method is really just getting you in the ballpark and is not very accurate). Now if you're using computers and whatnot on a rack, you could probably be much, much closer to even. But, it sounds like you are doing this in your garage, so I would suggest putting your adjustable track bar back on, making a slight steering wheel adjustment with the drag link, call it a day, and test out your new lift! If you're picky like I am (which sounds like you are) and really want to get down into the nitty gritty, before you put the adjustable track bar back on, do an initial measurement, adjust the ball joint on the end 1/2 turn out or in and take another measurement. If you end up falling in a range that will not put your axles dead center, just get it as close as possible, but remember you're adjusting a bar that is sitting at an angle to the axle, so the only true way of getting your axles dead center is to adjust it, take your Jeep for a spin to get everything settled, re-measure, re-adjust, and so on.
A 1/16" is within acceptable range, but it all depends what method of measurement you are using as to how accurate of a reading you are getting. If you are just doing the 2x4 method Wayoflife has recommended on his website, you could probably be off 1/4" and still be good (since that method is really just getting you in the ballpark and is not very accurate). Now if you're using computers and whatnot on a rack, you could probably be much, much closer to even. But, it sounds like you are doing this in your garage, so I would suggest putting your adjustable track bar back on, making a slight steering wheel adjustment with the drag link, call it a day, and test out your new lift! If you're picky like I am (which sounds like you are) and really want to get down into the nitty gritty, before you put the adjustable track bar back on, do an initial measurement, adjust the ball joint on the end 1/2 turn out or in and take another measurement. If you end up falling in a range that will not put your axles dead center, just get it as close as possible, but remember you're adjusting a bar that is sitting at an angle to the axle, so the only true way of getting your axles dead center is to adjust it, take your Jeep for a spin to get everything settled, re-measure, re-adjust, and so on.
JK Freak
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
From: USof A
He doesn't need a new drag link...I'm not sure where that recommendation is coming from.
A 1/16" is within acceptable range, but it all depends what method of measurement you are using as to how accurate of a reading you are getting. If you are just doing the 2x4 method Wayoflife has recommended on his website, you could probably be off 1/4" and still be good (since that method is really just getting you in the ballpark and is not very accurate). Now if you're using computers and whatnot on a rack, you could probably be much, much closer to even. But, it sounds like you are doing this in your garage, so I would suggest putting your adjustable track bar back on, making a slight steering wheel adjustment with the drag link, call it a day, and test out your new lift! If you're picky like I am (which sounds like you are) and really want to get down into the nitty gritty, before you put the adjustable track bar back on, do an initial measurement, adjust the ball joint on the end 1/2 turn out or in and take another measurement. If you end up falling in a range that will not put your axles dead center, just get it as close as possible, but remember you're adjusting a bar that is sitting at an angle to the axle, so the only true way of getting your axles dead center is to adjust it, take your Jeep for a spin to get everything settled, re-measure, re-adjust, and so on.
A 1/16" is within acceptable range, but it all depends what method of measurement you are using as to how accurate of a reading you are getting. If you are just doing the 2x4 method Wayoflife has recommended on his website, you could probably be off 1/4" and still be good (since that method is really just getting you in the ballpark and is not very accurate). Now if you're using computers and whatnot on a rack, you could probably be much, much closer to even. But, it sounds like you are doing this in your garage, so I would suggest putting your adjustable track bar back on, making a slight steering wheel adjustment with the drag link, call it a day, and test out your new lift! If you're picky like I am (which sounds like you are) and really want to get down into the nitty gritty, before you put the adjustable track bar back on, do an initial measurement, adjust the ball joint on the end 1/2 turn out or in and take another measurement. If you end up falling in a range that will not put your axles dead center, just get it as close as possible, but remember you're adjusting a bar that is sitting at an angle to the axle, so the only true way of getting your axles dead center is to adjust it, take your Jeep for a spin to get everything settled, re-measure, re-adjust, and so on.