So, I recently got my lift kit and tires installed and I'm pretty much loving life. I have a 2-door JK with the Teraflex 2.5" coil lift, which actually gave me approx. 3.5" of lift, and 35" tires. Now, the lift kit uses stock arms, so the castor is off. The guys at the shop told me I could get cam bolts, but after some research I decided that was not the way to go, so I ordered the teraflex adjustable front lower control arms. They originally quoted me $120 for a front end alignment. When I added the control arms to the order, they quoted me $300. So, they were essentially going to charge me $180 to install the arms and set the castor... I don't think so. I crawled underneath my car and determined that a monkey could install control arms, but I don't quite understand caster well enough.

My question is this: How long should I make the front lower control arms for a 3.5" lift to properly set the caster for a 2-door JK? How much castor will this give me?

Also, where is caster measured from, the axle housing or the driveshaft?

My JK is a daily driver and I'm still planning on getting an alignment; I just don't want to pay extra for something I should be able to do myself. I have read through project jk's write up, but they use the upper arms for adjustment.

I appreciate any help on this subject. Thanks!

 

JK Write-Ups --> WRITE-UP INDEX: The Quintessential Source for Do it Yourself Write-Ups --> SUSPENSION & STEERING --> "Basic Do-it-Yourself Jeep JK Wrangler Front End Alignment"

 

Thanks for the response nthinuf. I actually already read through that one. It goes into a lot of detail, but they use the upper control arms to make the adjustment, plus I'm looking for a more specific measurements based on what I have.

I'm looking for opinions from people who have the same amount of lift as me and have used front lowers to set their caster.

 

Same thing, just opposite direction from the uppers.

Uppers:
Shorten to increase caster, lengthen to decrease.

Lowers:
Lengthen to increase caster, shorten to decrease.

Then measure under the C's just like that write-up shows. Quick and easy.


Here is another way to measure it.
/www.trailduty.com/temp/pinion_angle.pdf

 

I set the lowers on my unlimited to 23" center to center. That gave me a 5 degree castor and it drives great except for a slight pull to the right which has been there sisce new. Doing that, gets the pinion angle off, but you need just enough castor to eliminate the wandering.

 

Please remember,every time you call your jeep a "car" god kills a kitten

 

Ok I am running the same TF Lift on my 2Dr along with the TF Front LCA's and Rear Upper CA's. I put everything on myself and I would not pay anyone $300 to do an alignment and install of the arms

I follwed the numbers that TF has pre-determined for the Front LCA's in the instructions. Took the Jeep for a spin and everthing felt fine, steering was more responsive and definitely less flighty. However when I took a measurement of the angle I was up around 7* of castor. A stock Jeep comes at 4.5* of castor. So I just unbolted the axle side and shortened the arms up 2 full turns on both the driver and passenger side. You need to keep in mind that the more the castor the greater the pinion angle (i think that is right). You need to find a happy medium between your castor and you front pinion angle. I am now running 5* castor on my 2Dr and it feels great!

As far as the installation, I started on the drivers side first. Loosen all 4 bolts 2-driver and 2-passenger. Remove the drivers side arm completely, measure out the TF one, and install the frame bolt first. Next you need to line up the axle bolt hole, I just pulled on the drivers side tire until the hole lined up and loosely installed the bolt. If you have someone to help you, have them lay on the ground to put the bolt through while you push the tire towards the rear of the Jeep (this will move the axle into place for the bolt). Next repeat on the passenger side. Rock the Jeep left and right, up and down, and torque those suckers down to 125ft/lbs. It's that easy may take you all of 15-20 minutes. Test drive it and take a castor measurement from under the lower axle c. If you need to adjust just loosen the axle side bolt and either extend or shorten the arm.

Hope this helps you out.

 

i have a pull to the right also. 5.5 caster. please explain cross caster or link? thanks

 

Yeah if it is pulling to the right increase the right arm. I have my passenger side set about 1/8" longer than drivers side. Never pulls and helps with sharp braking. With stock arms and the lift it would pull right if I had to brake sharply.

 

Thanks for the input guys, I'm going to give it a stab when I get off work.