alignment help how many shims for caster?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 524
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From: austin texas
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I was looking over my alignment paper work, and it says my final caster is left=0.1 and right=-0.1. It should be around 6 correct? my jeep wonders all over the road and im thinking this is my prob.
How many shims do i need to use to push the lower controls arm forward enough to give me the caster i want?
my lift is
RC control arm drop brackets
Rusty 4.5 coils
2 coil spacers
RC trac bar
RC drop pitman arm
stock control arms
How many shims do i need to use to push the lower controls arm forward enough to give me the caster i want?
my lift is
RC control arm drop brackets
Rusty 4.5 coils
2 coil spacers
RC trac bar
RC drop pitman arm
stock control arms
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,570
Likes: 4
From: California
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
I've got the same issue, my caster isn't as bad though. +2.81 but it still wanders all over the damn place. Alignment shop didn't even adjust the track bar to center the axle.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,570
Likes: 4
From: California
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 524
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From: austin texas
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
i dont see why i would need longer LCA it just like putting a 2 lift on a stock xj. but if you guys think i need longer ones what are you thinking like 16" lowers and stock uppers?
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 372
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From: Springfield, MA
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
making caster shims and doing it yourself is a lot easier than you think. I did it myself. I used two 16 guage steel plates on either side and it worked perfect. i have rustys 3.5" coils with 2" spacers.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
From: austin texas
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
i know i can make them my self thats no prob, im wondering how thick do you guys think they need to be to get this thing to 6 degrees from .1?
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 3
From: Hudsonville, MI
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 5.0
I was looking over my alignment paper work, and it says my final caster is left=0.1 and right=-0.1. It should be around 6 correct? my jeep wonders all over the road and im thinking this is my prob.
How many shims do i need to use to push the lower controls arm forward enough to give me the caster i want?
my lift is
RC control arm drop brackets
Rusty 4.5 coils
2 coil spacers
RC trac bar
RC drop pitman arm
stock control arms
How many shims do i need to use to push the lower controls arm forward enough to give me the caster i want?
my lift is
RC control arm drop brackets
Rusty 4.5 coils
2 coil spacers
RC trac bar
RC drop pitman arm
stock control arms
+3 on getting adjustable lower arms. There isn't enough slot to get the stock arms forward enough to get it to where it needs to be.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I was looking over my alignment paper work, and it says my final caster is left=0.1 and right=-0.1. It should be around 6 correct? my jeep wonders all over the road and im thinking this is my prob.
How many shims do i need to use to push the lower controls arm forward enough to give me the caster i want?
my lift is
RC control arm drop brackets
Rusty 4.5 coils
2 coil spacers
RC trac bar
RC drop pitman arm
stock control arms
How many shims do i need to use to push the lower controls arm forward enough to give me the caster i want?
my lift is
RC control arm drop brackets
Rusty 4.5 coils
2 coil spacers
RC trac bar
RC drop pitman arm
stock control arms
No easy way out....u just have to measure them.
You prob know this, but i'll put it up just in case...
In general, with RC control arms drop bracket at 6.5" (assuming that's what you have), your LCA should be around 16.125" and UCA at around 15.375" (These numbers are just an estimation).
You should be able to get by since you are like around 0.375" off (based on you stock CA length) but Adj CA are still recommended.
CA length spec
RC
RE&RC
Try pushing the LCA all the way forward like this, torque them up (without shims) and see if it help with the caster angle. If i does, measure the gap and install the required shims/washers.

CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
It's been a complaint to some of the people running drop brackets with the caster that won't go high enough to even get close to spec. They tend to move the lower arm back too much.
+3 on getting adjustable lower arms. There isn't enough slot to get the stock arms forward enough to get it to where it needs to be.
+3 on getting adjustable lower arms. There isn't enough slot to get the stock arms forward enough to get it to where it needs to be.
I have to extend 2 turn on my LCA as well.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
From: austin texas
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Im just going to get some adj control arms, does anyone wanna recommend a brand. Im looking to spend around $150, im looking at the rustys ones.


