Steering upgrade options
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Redmond, WA
Got the caster checked, it's right at 5*. I can probably increase this slightly, but it's on par with what it should be with this lift. Would checking my toe-in be needed next? Can that even change on the JK's when installing a basic suspension lift?
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 165
From: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
Here's the blurb from the DIY alignment write-up:
http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write-...-end-alignment
Setting Your Toe-In
Contrary to what you might think, your front wheels do not sit parallel to each other but rather, if you were to look straight down on them, they would be sitting with the front of your tires pointing ever so slightly inward. This is called a "toe-in" and it is set intentionally this way from the factory to help keep your Jeep driving straight. And, if you’ve just installed a new suspension lift and a bigger set of tires, you may feel the need to have your toe-in adjusted to help compensate for the bigger meats.
Now, if you just installed a set of 33" tall tires, you most likely will NOT have to adjust your toe-in as the new Jeep JK Wrangler’s have been designed with a steering setup that has the drag link attached directly to the steering knuckle (as opposed to the tie rod as was the case on the older TJ model Wranglers) and your toe-in setting will not change from stock and this should be fine. However, if you’ve just install 35" tires, you may want to consider increasing your toe in to about an 1/8". Please note, past experience has shown these numbers to work well under these circumstances but are not guaranteed to be what you need.
Contrary to what you might think, your front wheels do not sit parallel to each other but rather, if you were to look straight down on them, they would be sitting with the front of your tires pointing ever so slightly inward. This is called a "toe-in" and it is set intentionally this way from the factory to help keep your Jeep driving straight. And, if you’ve just installed a new suspension lift and a bigger set of tires, you may feel the need to have your toe-in adjusted to help compensate for the bigger meats.
Now, if you just installed a set of 33" tall tires, you most likely will NOT have to adjust your toe-in as the new Jeep JK Wrangler’s have been designed with a steering setup that has the drag link attached directly to the steering knuckle (as opposed to the tie rod as was the case on the older TJ model Wranglers) and your toe-in setting will not change from stock and this should be fine. However, if you’ve just install 35" tires, you may want to consider increasing your toe in to about an 1/8". Please note, past experience has shown these numbers to work well under these circumstances but are not guaranteed to be what you need.
Last edited by nthinuf; Oct 3, 2009 at 09:18 AM.
JK Junkie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 1
From: The San Andreas Fault
It's all about the geometry really. You've changed things from stock and the only way to get the stock feel back is to correct what you have changed. On a side note, 35's are gonna make your jeep handle differently regardless, theirs alot more tire making contact with the road so you'll get more road feel. Your describing loose steering right? Playing with your caster angle should help that. The only other thing I can think of for loose steering is play in your steering box. I've heard of a number of jk's with steering box problems while running bigger tires, might wanna check that out. Before I go farther what do you mean exactly by the wheels reacting to the road? Are you getting bump steer or steering wheel shimmy?
If the alignment is in order and tires are not overinflated, then it is likely that it is a geometry problem of which a significant portion can be corrected with a drag link flip kit.
There are several on the market including: TF, Clayton and AEV. I'm running over 4" of lift currently with the AEV kit and 35s which includes the flip kit and steering is solid, but I must say the kit also included a larger steering stabilizer.
JK Newbie
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Hastings, new york
