I'm not a novice when it comes to lifts and I've looked through other threads, but just can't find the source of the issue.

2013 2-door JK with 3000 miles on it
2.5" TF BB

I left the stock tires on right after the lift to eliminate that as a variable. Essentially, whenever I hit a bump in the road, it feels like everything under the Jeep shimmy's (moves side to side). It is not in the steering at all (and I have all stock control arms). I swapped the lift shocks out for extensions and my stock shocks to eliminate that as a variable (that helped as the shocks were a softer ride/more forgiving).

I went back through and re-torqued all the control arm bolts (125 ft/lbs except the front uppers, which are 75). I have triple checked the track bars at 125 ft/lbs as well as the rear track bar bracket that came with the kit. Everything looks and feels solid - coils are seated properly. Checked the wheel torque, tried rotating tires, tried driving with my new 35's on.

What am I missing? Could I have damaged some of the stock bushings somehow? I loosened all the bolts before adding the spacers to prevent binding the bushings and didn't re-torque until the Jeep was back on the ground.

Thanks for any thoughts!

 

Check all tie Rod ends. I know it's a new jeep but worth taking a look

 

Oh and did you add any wheel spacers?

 

I'll check the tie rods - but given that it started immediately after the lift, I can't imagine that is it.

No wheel spacers.

I'm wondering if I somehow damaged some of the control arm or track bar bushings? Can I diagnose that without removing parts?

 

Get a adjustable track bar?
Or do u have a tb bracket?

 

Rear bracket that comes with the TF lift (and I triple checked it). Stock front tb.

 

I would get ride of the drop bracket and install a axle bracket. Stronger and correcting roll center will help handling.

 

Sounds like not enough caster with the new lift. Adjustable control arms, at least lower, so you can truly align the front will fix the wobbly stuff. The suspension, from the factory, has kinda a "laid back" caster, when you lifted the Jeep, the axle slightly( very slightly) rotated toward the rear of the Jeep ( think through the arc of the suspension travel). When the axle move away from the frame and downwards/rearwards, it looses caster degrees. And causes the suspension to be more at a equilibrium with the upper spring mounting and upper shock mounting. Basically it puts less weight on the springs and causes the front to appear lighter to the jeep. This causes the wheels and suspension to be sorta unloaded. And prone to shimmy and shake a little. The adjustable control arms will allow you to lengthen the arms moving the axle forward slightly. This will regain the lost caster and put the sprung weight back over the front wheels again. It will also help with braking.

Sent from the fast lane while driving one handed.

 

My above post doesn't make sense. Hah. I "see" what causes it, just don't really know how to describe it. It's physics. Haha. It just needs more caster.

Sent from the fast lane while driving one handed.