What is 'flighty' steering?
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, GA
What is 'flighty' steering?
Just wondering. I just installed a TF 2.5" BB and love the look and clearance such an easy kit gave me at a crazy low price compared to a full spring kit. I also added some 35s within a few days of the lift.
OK, so I wouldn't call it 'flighty' but at 60mph (speedo not adjusted for tires yet) I am constantly giving steering input on the highway, which I don't recall doing on a 500mi trip when stock. Nothing major, but a degree or two of input every second or so to stay centered in the lane. Is that normal for a lifted Jeep with big tires? I don't mind it at all, just want to make sure it's not a warning sign that I need to look into. Thanks!
OK, so I wouldn't call it 'flighty' but at 60mph (speedo not adjusted for tires yet) I am constantly giving steering input on the highway, which I don't recall doing on a 500mi trip when stock. Nothing major, but a degree or two of input every second or so to stay centered in the lane. Is that normal for a lifted Jeep with big tires? I don't mind it at all, just want to make sure it's not a warning sign that I need to look into. Thanks!
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 165
From: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
From the FAQ's stickied at the top of this modified area...
Check this one also:
And then this one...
http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write-...-end-alignment
Q: What is Caster? How much do I need?
A: Caster is the angle upon which your front axle sits at in order to help keep your Jeep driving straight. Positive caster, which is what you want, will cause your axle to sit in a way that your pinion shaft will be dipping ever so slightly towards the ground. Too little or even negative caster angle can cause your Jeep to wander and feel 'flighty' or 'darty' as I've heard some people call it. From the factory, your JK will have +4.2° of caster and if you lift it and install larger tires, you will need to increase this amount to help compensate for the modifications. At 3"-4" of lift, I have found that +6°~8° of caster will do wonders to help improve the handling of your Jeep JK Wrangler.
A: Caster is the angle upon which your front axle sits at in order to help keep your Jeep driving straight. Positive caster, which is what you want, will cause your axle to sit in a way that your pinion shaft will be dipping ever so slightly towards the ground. Too little or even negative caster angle can cause your Jeep to wander and feel 'flighty' or 'darty' as I've heard some people call it. From the factory, your JK will have +4.2° of caster and if you lift it and install larger tires, you will need to increase this amount to help compensate for the modifications. At 3"-4" of lift, I have found that +6°~8° of caster will do wonders to help improve the handling of your Jeep JK Wrangler.
Q: On the road, what PSI should I be running in my tires?
A: For optimal comfort and even tire wear. you should not run the recommended PSI listed on the sidewalls of your tires. Typically this will be way too much. On average for a 33" tire, I would recommend that you run your tires at approximately 28-30 PSI. For a 35" tire, I would recommend running approximately 26-28 PSI. For a 37" tire, I would recommend approximately 24-26 PSI.
A: For optimal comfort and even tire wear. you should not run the recommended PSI listed on the sidewalls of your tires. Typically this will be way too much. On average for a 33" tire, I would recommend that you run your tires at approximately 28-30 PSI. For a 35" tire, I would recommend running approximately 26-28 PSI. For a 37" tire, I would recommend approximately 24-26 PSI.
http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write-...-end-alignment
JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 559
Likes: 1
From: Roberta, GA
I think that the steering correction is normal for the tires. Flighty steering is where your jeep wants to drift on its own and you have to make major correction to stay in your lane. You will be steering straight, but the jeep will want to gradually move left or right. It was a handful driving 300 miles like that on the interstate.. I know mine did that before i added adjustable control arms.
Last edited by Jusaplaya; Dec 7, 2010 at 03:37 PM.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 147
Likes: 1
From: Asheville, NC
Just wondering. I just installed a TF 2.5" BB and love the look and clearance such an easy kit gave me at a crazy low price compared to a full spring kit. I also added some 35s within a few days of the lift.
OK, so I wouldn't call it 'flighty' but at 60mph (speedo not adjusted for tires yet) I am constantly giving steering input on the highway, which I don't recall doing on a 500mi trip when stock. Nothing major, but a degree or two of input every second or so to stay centered in the lane. Is that normal for a lifted Jeep with big tires? I don't mind it at all, just want to make sure it's not a warning sign that I need to look into. Thanks!
OK, so I wouldn't call it 'flighty' but at 60mph (speedo not adjusted for tires yet) I am constantly giving steering input on the highway, which I don't recall doing on a 500mi trip when stock. Nothing major, but a degree or two of input every second or so to stay centered in the lane. Is that normal for a lifted Jeep with big tires? I don't mind it at all, just want to make sure it's not a warning sign that I need to look into. Thanks!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, CA
Your caster is probably just at the edge of not enough. Maybe a set of adjustable lower control arms will get you back in the ball park. Did you have to recenter your steering wheel after the lift? (just curious)
Sponsoring Manufacturer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,824
Likes: 3
From: Utah
Typically some get a flighty feeling because they did not loosen the control arms up when the kit was installed. It's best to loosen all the control arm/trackbar bolts, install the kit, drop the JK back on it's wheels, rock it side to side then torque everything down to spec.
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JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Milledgeville, GA
Similar issue
I just installed the TF 2.5" Coil lift and 33's. I love the way the jeep looks, but I'm getting this same issue. 
My caster angle after finishing and aligning is 2.8 on left and 2.4 on right. Toe is .09 on left and .09 on right. According to the write up, caster angle should probably be more. I ended up with 3 to 4 inches of lift and am very pleased, but the ESP does come on from time to time when I make a quick turn. I did install an adjustable front track bar. Like others have said, it's not a huge deal but my Rubicon handled like a dream stock. I am willing to give up that as long as it is "normal" but the vibe I'm getting is that shouldn't be the case with that lift and "modest" 33's....
Solutions - !) loosen everything and retorque to specs
Any other specific solutions?
Thanks for any other advice...
My caster angle after finishing and aligning is 2.8 on left and 2.4 on right. Toe is .09 on left and .09 on right. According to the write up, caster angle should probably be more. I ended up with 3 to 4 inches of lift and am very pleased, but the ESP does come on from time to time when I make a quick turn. I did install an adjustable front track bar. Like others have said, it's not a huge deal but my Rubicon handled like a dream stock. I am willing to give up that as long as it is "normal" but the vibe I'm getting is that shouldn't be the case with that lift and "modest" 33's....
Solutions - !) loosen everything and retorque to specs
Any other specific solutions?
Thanks for any other advice...
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 165
From: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
My caster angle after finishing and aligning is 2.8 on left and 2.4 on right.
The options are:
Cam Bolts
Brackets
Longer/shorter 'fixed' arms
Adjustable arms
There are pro's and con's to each, so do a little research to decide which will fit your needs.