I just got back from a road trip to Four Corners area, Goosenecks, Monument Valley, and Canyon de Chelly, all really incredible places. I've always noticed that the JK has a good bit of play to the steering and I've always just accepted it for what it is, just like we accept the underpowered motor. Driving at high speeds (65mph+) on the freeway however is making me more and more nervous because of the play. I could see where one could lose control and oversteer to try and compensate eventually rolling the vehicle. Being as this would really suck, I'm wondering if something can be adjusted to tighten the steering and make it more responsive? I've read on the forum that adjusting caster through a set of adj. control arms improves handling, but I'm not sure if this makes the steering more responsive or not. Anyone have any ideas? How much play in the steering are you fellow JKrs finding in your jeep acceptable? BTW I drive an unlimited X with a 2.5 RC coil lift and 35s.

 

I am NOT an expert at all, but my experience was that after my front upper control arms were installed and my caster was positive 7+ my ride was MUCH tighter. Control was vastly improved. Seemed like stock or better. What is your caster now? I personally feel you will notice a huge difference.

 

Is it play in the steering - turn the steering wheel a good distance before the tires finally start turning?

Or is it flightyness/bumpsteer from low caster?

If you have an angle finder, go out and measure it and post the numbers.

http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write-...-end-alignment

 

Look at my specs but all my control arms are stock right now. I had the flighty steering and installed a pro comp steering stabilizer and it is much better. Especially at high speeds. From what I have read this is just masking the problem not fixing it but I don't have $1k to spend on new control arms so for $65 this is making my life much easier. I also had the clunky steering and this seems to have almost eliminated the problem.

 

You only need one set of ca's up front, not two or three or four sets...

Front uppers are cheaper, front lowers have a better range of adjustability and would be the better choice if you can afford them. And you're right about the stabilizer. Assuming it is not the stab itsself that is bad, it just masks whatever the problem really is.

 

Hey thanks for the info. I'll take a look at how much to do the front lowers. I also want to re-gear so I guess start saving the money now.

 

Front uppers will do exactly what you need
$218.00
http://fulltraction.com/detail.php?M...TID=408&NOTES=

 

It's not so much flightiness as it is play in the steering. You can rock the steering wheel left and right somewhat while driving and the jeep still tracks straight. This is not a big deal at low speeds but at freeway speeds its unnerving especially if the road your on isn't smooth or even (most roads aren't, unless they've been recently repaved).

Soooooooo, my question is still this: Will a pair of upper or lower control arms (to improve caster) make steering more responsive, i.e. when I turn the steering wheel the actual wheel will turn to a closer degree than I have currently? If not, what other things should I look at to fix the issue? Thanks everyone for your input.....

 

Interesting, from what I've read it's the lower adjustable control arms that everyone seems to use to improve caster and thus cut down flighty feeling. But again, in my case, it's not so much flightiness as it is steering wheel play.

 

They do the same thing, so either will work. You shorten the uppers to increase caster. You lengthen the lowers to increase caster. With taller lifts, uppers may not go short enough to get the caster where you want it. At your lift height, either should be fine.