'08 JK X Unlimted Auto with stock 17" wheels and tires

I just put on a used Fabtech 3" lift with spring extensions, replacement shocks, drop pitman arm, camber bolts got me back to 4.2 degrees.

I was expecting the suspension to be softer, or bouncier, no biggie. The offroad performance was great. Now the steering is vague though. I can literally turn the steering wheel about 10-15 degrees both directions and the Jeep goes straight with a little wander.

What are my options to get the control back?

 

I think you mean "cam bolts".

Also, I'm not sure what a "spring extension" is...do you have spacers, or new coils?

As far as sloppy steering goes, the first thing that I would look for is play in your pitman arm, drag link, and tie rod. Look for loose bolts, bushings that are shot, or holes that have wallowed out to become ovalized.

 

You probably could ditch the drop pitman arm. Not really necessary, and it is a big part of how your Jeep steers.

 

It's a 3" spacer lift, with stock coils.

The cam bolts got you back to 'stock' caster, which is still too low for the lifted height and is causing some of the flighty handling. Adjustable Control Arms will let you set your caster to a better angle, unfortunately, you will need to get the holes the cam bolts made welded back up if you want to go to a set of adjustables.

Here is a blurb from the FAQ's. You should browse through them when you get a chance:

 

If you changed your drag link angle and didn't adjust the track bar correspondingly it's likely your issue. If your track bar and drag link arnt parallel your gonna have problems. Run a search on steering geometry this has been covered alot.

 

If you don't have adj. front lower arms, you won't be able to put back the 4.2 deg. stock caster. Not with the cam bolts. How do you know you have 4.2 deg. ?
With a 3" lift, the cam bolts can't get you back to the stock caster

 

I think this may be your problem. You don't need a drop pitman arm for a lift lest than 4".

 

I have the same kit and had the same problem.... check the trackbar relocation bracket. get under it and have somebody turn the wheel back and forth, if it moves a little, there's your problem.

If you get rid of the drop pitman arm like Robar said, you need to get rid of the trackbar relocation bracket, otherwise you'll have a monstrous bump steer problem. It will also shift your axle off center.

Don't forget to call fabtech w/ any problems... their customer service is top notch.

 

Hey...aren't you the same guy that said 5 degrees was the minimum caster to run for a 3 inch lift...and that the only way to get it was with lower control arms?

I guess all those people running Clayton front upper control arms to set the caster on their lifts had better go out and get some lower arms, eh?



Where do you get these ideas?

Most people here will agree that cam bolts are a bad idea because they tend to loosen off during off-road use...but that doesn't mean that they are not able to achieve reasonable caster settings. There is no reason at all that a set of cam bolts cannot provide caster in the 5 to 6 degree range on a 3 inch lift.

Open this link, read down to step #9...then refer to step #22.

http://www.aev-conversions.com/pdf/isheets/AEV-Nth_JK_Std_Susp_Instructions_A.pdf

AEV (one of the few companies that recommends cam bolts) very specifically indicates in their install directions that cam bolts in the lower control arm mounts at the maximum rearward setting will provide caster between 5 and 7 degrees with a 3.5 inch lift.

Please don't fill the OP's head with misinformation. There are a lot of helpful suggestions in this thread...but telling the OP that his cam bolts are the problem is not constructive. If his caster was set too low, it would result in flighty steering and the wheels would not tend to return to center as they are supposed to...it would not result in excessive play before he started to see results from a steering input.

To the OP...check for any play in your pitman arm, drag link, or tie rod. It's probably not a bad idea to torque all of the bolts on your suspension. That may not fix this problem, but it's a good habit to get into...it can save you a lot of grief.

Perhaps consider removing the drop pitman arm. Also understand that any modifications that make your front track bar and your drag link run at angles that are not parallel will have an adverse effect on your steering.

 

I had the cam bolts installed at Sawchucks in Pottstown that is a very well known off road alignment shop. The owner did the alignment and said the same thing about the cam bolts, but it was all that I had at the time. Before cam bolts and realign 2.6 degrees. He said no way cam bolts getting me back to stock. After cam bolts and alignement 4.2 degrees on both sides. We were both shocked. Now I do want adjustable arms, but not in the budget yet.