Help with JK Steering after lift
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Manassas, VA
Help with JK Steering after lift
I want to apologize in advance and admit I don't fully understand steering geometry yet. I've been doing some research, but it can be confusing. I recently installed the Rock Krawler 2.5" Max Travel lift and some 35's (and gotten an alignment) and as expected, the steering isn't as great as it used to be. I live in Northern VA and anyone who lives here knows if you're not doing 70 (if you're lucky enough to actually be moving) you're going to get run over. There are a few spots on my daily commute where I'm fighting the steering wheel at higher speeds to stay in my lane.
Ball joints are definitely on the list of steering components I want to upgrade, but I'm confused on what I need to tighten the steering up. I see Rock Krawler has a JK Ultimate Steering Package that comes with a new front track bar and a new drag link. It also comes with a front track bar relocation bracket. I'm not sure if this is my best option. I'm confused why my lift would come with the track bar, but not the relocation bracket if it were that important.
I was also looking at the Synergy High Steer Drag Link, but I'm not sure if that's my best option, or if I'd need anything else.
Ball joints are definitely on the list of steering components I want to upgrade, but I'm confused on what I need to tighten the steering up. I see Rock Krawler has a JK Ultimate Steering Package that comes with a new front track bar and a new drag link. It also comes with a front track bar relocation bracket. I'm not sure if this is my best option. I'm confused why my lift would come with the track bar, but not the relocation bracket if it were that important.
I was also looking at the Synergy High Steer Drag Link, but I'm not sure if that's my best option, or if I'd need anything else.
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 165
From: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
As noted, caster and toe specs, and torquing while on stands instead of on the ground under full vehicle weight to reduce/eliminate binding, are fairly common problems. Over-inflated tires are another problem - What psi are you running?
For the original question - as you lift higher, the frame end of the front trackbar and draglink are raised, putting those bars at steeper and steeper angles, which can cause some steering issues. A high steer/ drag link flip flattens those angles by adding a trackbar bracket and also 'flipping' the axle end of the drag link to the top of the steering knuckle (instead of its current position at the bottom of the knuckle). Generally, 3.5" or so is when you would start considering this, since you will want to run about 3" of bumpstop to keep good clearances.
For the original question - as you lift higher, the frame end of the front trackbar and draglink are raised, putting those bars at steeper and steeper angles, which can cause some steering issues. A high steer/ drag link flip flattens those angles by adding a trackbar bracket and also 'flipping' the axle end of the drag link to the top of the steering knuckle (instead of its current position at the bottom of the knuckle). Generally, 3.5" or so is when you would start considering this, since you will want to run about 3" of bumpstop to keep good clearances.
