Notices
Modified JK Tech Tech related bulletin board forum regarding subjects such as suspension, tires & wheels, steering, bumpers, skid plates, drive train, cages, on-board air and other useful modifications that will help improve the performance and protection of your Jeep JK Wrangler (Rubicon, Sahara, Unlimited and X) on the trail.

PLEASE DO NOT START SHOW & TELL TYPE THREADS IN THIS FORUM

Lift kit installed...accident waiting to happen

Thread Tools
 
Old 04-26-2016, 05:00 PM
  #1  
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Zander10893's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Russell, PA
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Lift kit installed...accident waiting to happen

So I recently just bought a 2010 2-door JK and have begun to make some modifications to it. I ordered a boat load of parts, all of which are finally installed. One of the parts installed is a Rough Country 4 inch lift (682S - 4in Suspension Lift Kit for 07-16 Jeep JK Wrangler [682S] | Rough Country Suspension Systems®). The Jeep looks great; however, driving it...not so much. To say it is scary to drive is a complete understatement. The steering is beyond flighty and a nightmare to keep between the lines. I also get a bad steering shake around 35 mph. The Jeep has been aligned and I used my AEV Procal to center the steering wheel, both of which helped a bit but it is still just an accident waiting to happen. Upon further research, I found that part of the problem could be the drop pitman arm. Also, I learned that ditching the track bar relocation bracket and getting an adjustable track bar would fix this issue. Can anyone confirm this? I plan on loosening and retorquing all fasteners tomorrow or the day after since they were not tightened to spec while under the weight of the vehicle which I found to also be a possible cause to the problem I'm experiencing. Any and all feedback is more than welcome!
Old 04-26-2016, 05:04 PM
  #2  
JK Jedi Master
 
ronjenx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Maine
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 0
Received 168 Likes on 144 Posts
Default

What did your alignment sheet show for caster?
Old 04-26-2016, 05:22 PM
  #3  
JK Freak
 
Joe_B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 656
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

An adjustable trackbar will really help dial in where your axle sits relative to the jeep but using axle side brackets help out more. The brackets will get your axle where they should be and at the same time raising roll center which is a good thing with a lifted jeep.

The drop pitman arm is not a solution in the front. At 4" you're in the territory for a proper draglink flip. There are many ways to go about this but you'll need to check for clearance at the frame. Typically 3" bumpstops are needed without clearancing the frame

Running 4" on a short wheelbase though is probably what's causing your shitty steering. Like mentioned your caster is probably out of whack. You can run adjustable arms, correction brackets, get shorter coils (best option) or go all out & get an aftermarket caster corrected housing lol
Old 04-26-2016, 05:33 PM
  #4  
JK Newbie
 
domeosso66's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I'm having the same problems with a 3.5 inch lift and 33s
Old 04-26-2016, 05:44 PM
  #5  
JK Newbie
 
Flex_Junkie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Greenwood, Arkansas
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

To much lift... WAY to much CHEAP lift especially for a 2 door.

In a nutshell..

Last edited by Flex_Junkie; 04-26-2016 at 05:47 PM.
Old 04-26-2016, 05:48 PM
  #6  
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Zander10893's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Russell, PA
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

The alignment came back as follows:

Basically I'm looking for a cost effective fix that will correct the issue yet still be a safe fix. I guess at this point I'm looking to turn my cheap lift into a not-so-cheap lift with the proper components to correct the issues.

Last edited by Zander10893; 04-26-2016 at 05:51 PM.
Old 04-26-2016, 05:51 PM
  #7  
JK Jedi Master
FJOTM Winner
 
nthinuf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
Posts: 11,465
Likes: 0
Received 162 Likes on 154 Posts
Default

Caster is very low. Which specific parts came in the lift? (There should have been new control arms, or cam bolts to adjust the caster)

The drop pitman and the front trackbar bracket work together. If you remove the pitman and go back to stock, you need to remove that bracket at the same time!! Get an adj trackbar to center the axle, then drive it for a while. That will give you time to decide if you want to do a draglink flip.
Old 04-26-2016, 05:52 PM
  #8  
JK Jedi Master
 
ronjenx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Maine
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 0
Received 168 Likes on 144 Posts
Default

Caster is part of your problem. It should be +3.7° to +4.7°.
Old 04-26-2016, 05:52 PM
  #9  
JK Newbie
 
jclaytor1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Rogers, AR.
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

There are several things that could cause that. I am running a 3.5" lift on 35s and it actually drives just as good as stock, but my lift came with a new front and rear adjustable track bar and several other things that may have helped. I'm not sure exactly what came with yours. I'm not sure about rough country lifts. I haven't dealt with them on jeeps at all.
Old 04-26-2016, 05:52 PM
  #10  
JK Enthusiast
 
Jeepstercanada's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Adjustable front control arms should work. What front end components were changed with the lift ?


Quick Reply: Lift kit installed...accident waiting to happen



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:53 PM.