can i fix caster with just adjustable lower control arms?
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2
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From: Lusby, MD
can i fix caster with just adjustable lower control arms?
just installed a skyjacker 4"-5" Flex kit on my 2010 2 door sport, i seem to be experiencing the flightiness/dartiness and from some articles i have read on here it seems that i can fix this problem by increasing my caster. The kit came with adjustable lower arms so i am running the stock uppers, can i adjust caster by adjusting just the lowers or do i have to install uppers also?
JK Super Freak
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 1
From: Seattle, WA
just installed a skyjacker 4"-5" Flex kit on my 2010 2 door sport, i seem to be experiencing the flightiness/dartiness and from some articles i have read on here it seems that i can fix this problem by increasing my caster. The kit came with adjustable lower arms so i am running the stock uppers, can i adjust caster by adjusting just the lowers or do i have to install uppers also?
JK Super Freak
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 0
From: spencer, indiana
sure you can but at some point you will need uppers to get your pinion angle back. adjust the lowers out until you feel a driveline vibration and then back them off a couple of turns and that should work fine. i only have lowers and have ben happy. since you are a two door and bigger lift you will be able to achive less caster than me and it may or may not make you happy with the lowers alone.
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 165
From: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
Alignment write-up:
http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write-...-end-alignment
(re-centering steering wheel, re-centering axles, toe in, caster)
FAQ's...
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modified-jk-tech-2/modified-tech-faq-answers-questions-every-newbie-has-18617/
-good info like...
http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write-...-end-alignment
(re-centering steering wheel, re-centering axles, toe in, caster)
FAQ's...
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modified-jk-tech-2/modified-tech-faq-answers-questions-every-newbie-has-18617/
-good info like...
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.
JK Junkie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 1
From: The San Andreas Fault
To adjust the Caster angle you only need adjustable upper OR lower CAs. The lower CAs are easier to install and provide a larger range of adjustment.
You only need to both pairs of CAs to move the axle fore and aft and to provide fine tuning between pinion angle and Caster angle.
You only need to both pairs of CAs to move the axle fore and aft and to provide fine tuning between pinion angle and Caster angle.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Lusby, MD
thanks for all your guys help, im working all weekend so hopefully by Tuesday i can pick up a angle finder and get this thing dialed in by lengthening my adjustable lower CA's, letcha know what happens.
JK Newbie
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 55
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From: nowhere
I only did LCA's on my lift and set them to 23" eye to eye as others have stated. I measure about 6.5 degrees per the writeup on project JK. After I installed my lift and all I took my Jeep to a shop and had the alignment checked just to be sure and with a laser system my Jeep is actually 5.8 degrees on both sides. It drives fine with no flighty feeling so I have left it as is.
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JK Super Freak
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 3
From: Alberta
sure you can but at some point you will need uppers to get your pinion angle back. adjust the lowers out until you feel a driveline vibration and then back them off a couple of turns and that should work fine. i only have lowers and have ben happy. since you are a two door and bigger lift you will be able to achive less caster than me and it may or may not make you happy with the lowers alone.
..oh, and springer...might wanna look into drive shafts