Just had my RK lift installed and now it drives insanely, wants to pull me in every direction, seems to fight me when I turn and throws me into lanes when changing. So I brought it to the recommended (by installer) tire place for an alignment. Today when I got the phone call from the tire place they told me that they wouldn't be charging me because they couldn't fix it without upper control arms because my caster was at -6 degrees and that was my problem. They suggest that I order upper control arms to fix this and thats the only way to fix it. The lowers are adjusted to their max apparently! This is just a 2.5" lift...didn't think I'd need upper control arms? If Rock Krawler reads this and wants to PM me and call that would be GREAT!

Does this sound right? If not what should I have for information on Monday when I talk to the installer?! Thanks guys!

-Billy

PS: This thing rides sooo smooth, just wish it would drive in a straight(er) line!

 

Your lca's probably shouldn't be extended to the max. Do you know what length that makes them? 23" would probably be a good length for that height.

 

I had a shop put my RK 2.5 Max Travel on, and it rode reasonably well ( no pulling) out the door of the shop. I drove it 2 days and had a mom and pop alignment shop align it. The kid ( probably 18-19 yrs) worked about two hours on it but as I recall he got the caster to around 4.5. He said something about adjusting one side differentally than the other for crowned roads, but overall it tracks straight and has no noticeable pull. The alignment guy said they prefer wedge adjusted arms instead of the LCAs, which have to be unbolted then twisted to adjust the length, but I said that's why I'm paying them two shop hours instead of one.

Forgot to say: 2012 JKU Rubicon eith 35" Nittos

 

You won't need uppers. Have them readjust the front lowers and it should be fine.

 

I have the same lift, had it installed by a local shop and they did the alignment. It drives perfectly straight and has exceeded my expectations, rides far better than stock on and off road.

Sounds like you should call RK and get their advice (not wait for them to read it and contact you). Also might want to consider taking to a pro shop that does lifts and have them fix it. If the place you had it done does in fact know what they're doing, you might have some defective parts.

 

What size tires are you running?

 

33" BFG tires

 

The shop that did the lift knows what they are doing as far as I can tell from their other vehicles they have done and own. As far as the alignment shop, I beleive they do as well because they align all of the offroad shop (installers) vehicles. I have every intention of calling and getting RKs advice on the lift and parts...but they don't open till Monday and its Saturday. Was hoping maybe they'd read this before Monday!

Either way I'll be bringing it into the shop on Monday or Tuesday and have them fix/look at it again and with whatever advice Rock Krawler gives me.

I don't want anyone to get me wrong...this lift is amazing! I'm still driving it and it is awesome. Ride quality (other than flightyness) is so nice! Great product by Rock Krawler!

Thanks everyone for the advice and ideas!

-Billy

 

Getting upper adjustable control arms definitely won't hurt, but as was already mentioned, it sounds like your lower control arms need to be readjusted. They are probably longer than needed and it is throwing your alignment off. If the lowers get shortened, your alignment should be able to get set to within alignmnet specs.

RK makes some great stuff and your lift definitely shouldn't be doing as you described unless the installer did something wrong. To the credit of the installer, I will say that RK could do a better job with their install instructions. It is easy to get confused reading their instructions because the included instructions are for more than one lift. The installer has to filter through everything to get only the parts needed for your lift, at least that was the case with my RK 3.5" Max Travel Lift.

 

Your front lower control arms should be set at 23 1/8" and your front track bar should be at 32 9/16". I would have them double check that they measured eye to eye.