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Alignment problem

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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 09:42 AM
  #16  
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Thanks for the link. I've read that a few times.
I guess ill go out to the garage and give that a try.
So I need to adjust caster first then toe the center steer?
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 09:52 AM
  #17  
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Toe is the last adjustment made. Your caster is even on both sides so you're ok, but if you want to add some high speed stability add the same amount of shims at both sides and increase the caster angle.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 09:52 AM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by timamybrown
Thanks for the link. I've read that a few times.
I guess ill go out to the garage and give that a try.
So I need to adjust caster first then toe the center steer?
I don't remember if you do caster or toe first.. But the steering wheel is adjusted after all other settings correct.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 09:59 AM
  #19  
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Toe is last.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 10:15 AM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by Bustedback
Toe is last.
Steering wheel is last, because, any changes to the toe and caster will knock the steering wheel out of alignment
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 10:20 AM
  #21  
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The steering wheel is not an alignment angle, but yeah, you center it after all other adjustments are made and the Jeep is road tested. Sometimes once the toes is set correctly the steering wheel will be centered without needing to mess with the draglink sleeve.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 10:39 AM
  #22  
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From: coon rapids MN
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All right checked my toe front of tires are 45 3/16 back of tires are 45 1/8 so im toed out a little. if I remember right I should be toed in.
where's the best place to check my caster?

Last edited by timamybrown; Apr 6, 2014 at 10:41 AM.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 11:18 AM
  #23  
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Your caster is fine according to the print out you posted.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 12:24 PM
  #24  
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Alright I adjusted my toe to were I'm an 1/8in toed in and adjusted my center steer took it for a ride and the steering feels better.
I'll have to wait and see if it changes my tire cupping .
Thanks for everyone's help.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 12:44 PM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by 93gc40
to help with the problem of drift down off the road crown. You can adjust the right wheel base to be a bit longer than the left. If I recall the factory setting is about a 10mm difference.
^This is a little known and often overlooked fact along with a slight amount of 'cross caster' that is set into the axle.
I discovered the difference in wheelbase between left and right while doing the alignment. I use both gojeep's info and the 'stringing' method.
I extended the passenger side control arms 5/16" (8mm) to even the wheelbase and the jeep drove and turned better.
Stock wheelbase is 101.4" on driver side.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 01:15 PM
  #26  
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To get my wheelbase back to stock and keep my caster in check would need adjustable upper and lower control arms? Right know my wheelbase is 100 1/2in
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 01:48 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by timamybrown
To get my wheelbase back to stock and keep my caster in check would need adjustable upper and lower control arms? Right know my wheelbase is 100 1/2in
Correct, upper and lowers. But this is how the XJ is designed and should probably not be changed since you're dealing with it stock.
I should have mentioned only when I lifted my jeep did I address the wheelbase issue. It was fine before the lift.
Proper alignment will compensate for the difference and should ride fine.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 02:20 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by timamybrown
To get my wheelbase back to stock and keep my caster in check would need adjustable upper and lower control arms? Right know my wheelbase is 100 1/2in
Not really.. the offset is built into the mounts... adjustable uppers and lowers would allow you to fine tune. In theory you could also change out the bolt/bushing for excentrics and move them that way. Caster/pinion angle can be adjusted via shims, in the lower mounts. This will also give a bit of wheel base adjustment. But yes in order to adjust wheel base without affecting the caster/pinion, you would need BOTH adjustable uppers and lowers.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 02:27 PM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by timamybrown
Just cant figure out why the left front tire would start to cup so fast.
I did a home alignment once and set too much toe in, unbelievable how fast the front tread wore down. Firestone does my alignments now.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 07:18 PM
  #30  
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Once a tire starts to wear abnormally it will continue to wear that way no matter where you put it or how well the alignment is set. Slowing the abnormal wear down is about the best you can do.
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