The CavFab Alpha Series 3 Link
#301
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As lack said id recommend doing the alignment at home just really to improve drivability until you take it to a shop if thats what your parents are making you do.
Since you are unsure of what the castor angle is that is most likely why your coils are bowed. Incorrect castor causing the coil buckets to not be where they should be.
Since you are unsure of what the castor angle is that is most likely why your coils are bowed. Incorrect castor causing the coil buckets to not be where they should be.
#302
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Year: 1994
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As lack said id recommend doing the alignment at home just really to improve drivability until you take it to a shop if thats what your parents are making you do.
Since you are unsure of what the castor angle is that is most likely why your coils are bowed. Incorrect castor causing the coil buckets to not be where they should be.
Since you are unsure of what the castor angle is that is most likely why your coils are bowed. Incorrect castor causing the coil buckets to not be where they should be.
The more positive caster you can get without atrocious driveshaft angle, the more stability you're going to have driving down the road, especially at higher speeds.
#303
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by LACK
Speaking of caster.. On the initial alignment I had around 3 degrees, it wandered a lot, steering was very light and floaty. I put a couple more degrees of positive caster in it. Should be sitting around 5-6* now and it drives much much better.
The more positive caster you can get without atrocious driveshaft angle, the more stability you're going to have driving down the road, especially at higher speeds.
The more positive caster you can get without atrocious driveshaft angle, the more stability you're going to have driving down the road, especially at higher speeds.
Also when I go over speed bumps the coils hit the track bar which also seems to be a result of the stretch. I could be wrong but I never had this problem before. I plan to get new steering (since my parents won't allow me to drive it with the steering it has now because the shop made up some bs about the tie rods binding at ride height. I had the steering attached when I drooped the axle enough to put the springs and shocks in without a spring compressor so I doubt they bind at ride height.) then I'm going to take it to clemson 4 wheel where they said they would actually align it since no where else seems to be able to. I'm not the smartest, but I try to do my research before getting into things.
Last edited by SatiricalHen; 05-05-2017 at 09:59 PM.
#304
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Year: 1994
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I believe mine is ~5* just checked on the top of the ball joint
Also when I go over speed bumps the coils hit the track bar which also seems to be a result of the stretch. I could be wrong but I never had this problem before. I plan to get new steering (since my parents won't allow me to drive it with the steering it has now because the shop made up some bs about the tie rods binding at ride height. I had the steering attached when I drooped the axle enough to put the springs and shocks in without a spring compressor so I doubt they bind at ride height.) then I'm going to take it to clemson 4 wheel where they said they would actually align it since no where else seems to be able to. I'm not the smartest, but I try to do my research before getting into things.
Also when I go over speed bumps the coils hit the track bar which also seems to be a result of the stretch. I could be wrong but I never had this problem before. I plan to get new steering (since my parents won't allow me to drive it with the steering it has now because the shop made up some bs about the tie rods binding at ride height. I had the steering attached when I drooped the axle enough to put the springs and shocks in without a spring compressor so I doubt they bind at ride height.) then I'm going to take it to clemson 4 wheel where they said they would actually align it since no where else seems to be able to. I'm not the smartest, but I try to do my research before getting into things.
#305
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Well said, I am very frustrated with Cavfab's lack of communication also. They have not shipped out the shirts as promised either. I am one of the lucky ones who has gotten the links and cross member. However, there are no install instructions pertaining to those who have frame stiffeners and dealing with the tie in brackets. I really hope they get this mess straightened out soon.
David, is that an option? Or, how do you guys recommend installing these? I know this question has been asked multiple times and I don't remember reading about a solution.
You guys seem to have a great product, you need to put more time into customer service though. I can't imagine how busy you are and how difficult it is to make time for the little things, like responding to our concerns and questions, but those little things are what will keep you busy if your product proves to be of high quality.
So, how about the question regarding the tie ins with frame stiffeners? Do you guys have a solution?
#306
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Year: 94
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I'm so glad I did NOT pull the trigger on this kit. Back when they were in the initial stages before the release I had called Donovan and left a voice mail and sent an email. I got no response from either. So that told me right away to look another direction. To spend that much money on a pre order and wait 6-7 months is ridiculous. Ive been following this thread since they started it so many months ago. It's crazy how Cav Fab can't even send the kit out complete. Good luck to everyone that is waiting - patiently, you have a lot more control than I would have. I'm nobody on this forum, just an avid reader and fellow XJ owner. Just wanted to share my opinion. Thanks everyone
#307
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Year: 2001
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I'm so glad I did NOT pull the trigger on this kit. Back when they were in the initial stages before the release I had called Donovan and left a voice mail and sent an email. I got no response from either. So that told me right away to look another direction. To spend that much money on a pre order and wait 6-7 months is ridiculous. Ive been following this thread since they started it so many months ago. It's crazy how Cav Fab can't even send the kit out complete. Good luck to everyone that is waiting - patiently, you have a lot more control than I would have. I'm nobody on this forum, just an avid reader and fellow XJ owner. Just wanted to share my opinion. Thanks everyone
I'm pretty confident that the end product will be very high quality and if there are any issues, I'm sure they will do what it takes to make it right.
#308
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Well parents won't let me take it to windrock since the shop wouldn't touch it and another shop said " the tie rod ends are too steep making the adjustment sleeve get stuck" doesn't really make sense, but whatever. Also found out when I go over the speed bumps in my neighborhood the spring hits the trackbar mount I guess since the axle is pushed so far forward. So the sway bar is useless currently and the track bar bracket and spring collide. Kinda sucks.
#309
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by gyrator930
How long are your lower links eye to eye when all the way collapsed? I had the same issue with stretch, couldn't run my swaybar and was hitting my track bar bracket. I was the first to install this and after I reported it they said they made the links too long and shortened them for all the next kits they shipped. The new links I have now got me back to stock wheelbase so I have no issues running the stock swaybar. I'm wondering if you got some of the long links?
#310
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
That's what I'm thinking. I haven't measured the links, but they're turned as far as I can pull them in and still have the grease fitting showing. I really want to run my sway bar since this is supposed to be my daily but it's just one thing after another now. I'm sure it's fine for higher lifts, but I'm running 4.5" lift which is about the bottom of their spectrum. I don't like that it stretched so much the sway bar hits the coils and all. Nothing can be easy apparently haha
#311
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Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline Six
Got my shipping notification email today for my crossmember, now lets see how long it takes to get the shipping notification for my links. Fingers crossed!
#312
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
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Originally Posted by gyrator930
You are running a longer sway bar end link tho, correct?
#313
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Year: 2001
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Gotcha. Yeah I'd check that lower arm length. I want to say the original ones were I got were around 36" eye to eye completely collapsed
Last edited by gyrator930; 05-09-2017 at 11:02 AM.
#314
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We should have several sets of links going out late this week and into next week!
More Alpha kits going out soon...we are getting very close to being caught up!
As you guys get these installed and what not shoot us some pics.
More Alpha kits going out soon...we are getting very close to being caught up!
As you guys get these installed and what not shoot us some pics.
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Carlos Manuel Davis (06-25-2020)