Lower Control arms install concerns?
 

thinking about purchase of new LCAs...easy install, right? just 4 bolts??

questions:

do you take both arms off to install, or do one side then the other?

the new LCAs will be longer--how do you shift the front axel forward to get the logner arm in?

do folks usually take the track bar off?

thanks
steve

you can do the install with your jeep on the ground. here's what you need to do:

1. place a floor jack under the pinion of your front axle - raise it up so that it's just holding it up.
2. starting on the driver side, remove control arm nut at the axle using a 21mm socket and wrench.
3. if the bolt does not slide out by hand with ease, slowly raise your jack just a bit until the bind is released. if you go too far, you will need to lower it back down. when you have it just right, the bolt will come out easily.
4. remove the control arm nut and bolt at the frame end using a 21mm socket and wrench.
5. leaving your jack exactly where it is, repeat steps 1-4 on the passenger side. again, raise and or lower your jack as needed to pull the bolt out from your axle mount.
6. set both your new adjustable control arms to 23" eye to eye.
7. loosely install your new driver side control arm onto the frame mount using the factory hardware
8. lower your jack as needed until you can align the mounting hole with that of your new lower control arm. secure it in place with the factory hardware.
9. repeat steps 7-8
10. tighten all your nuts and bolts to 125-130 ft. lbs. of torque.

that's all you need to do. :yup:

23"?
 

6. set both your new adjustable control arms to 23" eye to eye.

"eye to eye" meaning make a triangle with tape measure, not 23 " folowing the contur of the bar..right?

i should end up with a +4 to 6 degree castor--eh?

i'm currently using a 2.5 TF BB(2 door auto) on 33s. i eventually wanna upgrade my springs to OME. will i need to extend my LCAs to keep that positive castor? assuming the new spring hight roughly equal my current hight on springs & pucks?

thanks
steve

no - the 23" measurement should be straight across. factory is 22-5/8" and so you're just making your new arms about 3/8" longer.

about +5 to +6

not exactly. once you install your new coils, you can leave everything as is and you'll be just fine.

how do you measure your caster angle?

this link should help out

http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write-...-end-alignment

Re: Lower Control arms install concerns?
 

I'm considering lca's myself as I only have about 3.5 of caster and I'm constantly on the verge of DW, especially when my toe gets out at all.

Q. What brand is best for a 2.5 TF coil lift?
Q. I need to also put in a tracbar as my axle isn't centered. Should I do this at the same time or in steps? (i'd love to avoid the LCA's altogether.
Q. What's the preferred track bar these days?

And finally, my passenger side tire is about perfectly vertical but driver's side the top of tire leans out a bit. And my bump steer & dw are always induced by that tire hitting bumps. I know the camber isn't adjustable, so what will correct this?

TIA

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

if you're sure you are on the verge of DW, you need to check your track bar, the bushings, mounts and torque setting on them. if they all check out, i would make sure your ball joints aren't worn out. if that's good, LCA's will help give you more caster and that should help out.

A. I have run JKS and have been happy with it. I have also run the new TF monster track bar and it works well too.

A. It won't make a difference when you install your track bar or LCA's. you can do them in steps.

A. top of the tire leans out? really?? off set ball joints can help this but i can't imagine how the top of the tire is leaning out.

Thanks for the detailed reply.
Yes, my camber isn't symmetrical.
I checked torque settings and brushing and BJ's, all appears good in my 20 month old Jeep with 36k on the clock.

I guess I'll start with tracbar.

That was a great link... Just what I needed to read...

Question.. .what is more important, adjustable lower control arms or upper?

on that link it talked about fixing caster and told you how to adjust the upper control arms to fix it?

If i were to buy adjustable control arms, do I need to buy the lower or upper? I cant afford both.

I just order the AEV control arm drop kit b/c it is supposed to correct caster, although it isn't adjustable..

any input would be great...