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Spongy steering. What can I do?

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Old Sep 6, 2017 | 06:03 AM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by prelucir
I went back and re read this page. It is beginning to make more sense to me now. I am however, afraid to get under the Jeep and start turning on the control arms as I do not know what I am doing.

I now feel better about talking with the shop that I have been using. And, after reading the page on caster angles, I see where others, who wrench, do not know as much as they seem to think that they do. I have noticed that some folks have opened a shop because they own a tool box.

Also, I read that putting the Jeep on an alignment machine will measure the caster angle. But the folks that do front end alignments do not adjust caster do they? There is a Les Schwab down the road from me. They have done the front end alignment for me before. Can they adjust the caster? I am thinking these are guys off the street with minimal knowledge of their jobs.

-John

I have the Rubicon Express 3.5 inch lift kit. This summer I swapped the axles and put on Danytrac 44/60 and upgraded to 37 inch tires.
In regards to working on the jeep, if you have the tools, there's not a whole lot you can mess up. These tasks can be done with simple hand tools (Although impact wrenches are handy), floor jack, jack stands, torque wrench, and possibly a measuring tape.

As you are kind of figuring out, shops are really hit and miss with this stuff. There are some quality shops out there, but I'd submit they are fewer and far between all the supposed 4x4 shops that aren't worth their salt. You have a bigger build in it's current form, and it's going to require a bit of work and understanding. 3.5" lift with 37s, PR60/44s is a bigger commitment than 2.5" lift with 35's. You kinda cross a threshold especially if you are going to use the jeep to the build's extent and not just look at it.

There is very little that you should not be able to accomplish on this jeep with your own efforts. Even if you don't have the knowledge, the information is out there. The help is here. People are willing to, as much as possible, hold your hand through some of this stuff. Often times if you don't have the tools, the cost of acquiring them is offset by the saved cost of paying someone else to do the job......and you have the tools for future use!

Adjusting control arms, or adding control arm geo brackets is a simple bolt on task. The most complex aspect of it would be using a torque wrench to ensure the bolts are torqued to spec. If you have adjustable arms, the only other hard part would be having a wrench big enough to tighten up the jam nuts.




***EDIT***
If it's the kit Rednroll pictured above, and you have full set of adjustable control arms, you just need to get them all adjusted properly to solve your issues. In the rear you'd still run in to what I highlighted earlier with the domino effect. In the front, just need to figure out what your caster is currently, then either lengthen or shorten the upper arms accordingly to decrease/increase the caster.

Last edited by resharp001; Sep 6, 2017 at 06:32 AM.
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Old Sep 6, 2017 | 06:55 AM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by resharp001

***EDIT***
If it's the kit Rednroll pictured above, and you have full set of adjustable control arms, you just need to get them all adjusted properly to solve your issues. In the rear you'd still run in to what I highlighted earlier with the domino effect. In the front, just need to figure out what your caster is currently, then either lengthen or shorten the upper arms accordingly to decrease/increase the caster.
If it is that same kit, then it came with fixed lowers and adjustable uppers.

Originally Posted by RE
This Jeep Wrangler JK kit lifts your vehicle by up 3.5 inches for better ground clearance. The included adjustable upper and fixed lower control arms with Super-Flex spherical ball joints offer exceptional ride quality and improved performance. It allows you to install up to 37-inch tires.
Adjusting uppers is where I have to step back listen and let the experts take over. I think you shorten the uppers to increase your caster? I'm unsure, but I know a little adjustment on the uppers tends to make a big difference.
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Old Sep 6, 2017 | 07:49 AM
  #23  
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I really don't get the bother putting fixed lowers in a kit like that. Why should they dictate to an owner where that axle should be located with a fixed arm. ugh. Every jeep is different. fully adjustable arms are really just the way to go in general. y, use the uppers to adjust caster up front if possible. You can do it with adjustable lowers as well if that is all you have, but ideally the lowers place the axle where you want it, and the uppers adjust the caster.
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