syndrome_34

What is the best method to use in order to center the front axle? I was thinking about hanging plumb-bobs from the center of each fender and measuring to the WMS. Will this work? Or is there a better method?

96_xj

There is a few ways. Theblump bob way works. as long as you place the front axle on jack stands so the jeep is on its own weight, then remove the tires so you can have an accurate reading and room to work.

I did something similar and took my high lift and put the base against the passenger side UCA mounting bracket on the axle then the "hook" on the driver side frame rail (i am at 6.5" btw) that way i could shift the jeep the way that i wanted. and center it.

XJeepWerks

I also need to center my axle once I get an adjustable Trac Bar. I'd like to see some more tips on this topic. Subscribed.

xr650jkallen

i just measured from the top of my bumpstop tower to the inside edge of my tire and got it as close to even on both sides as i could

XJeepWerks

That sounds pretty flippin' easy lol

xr650jkallen

yeah i just did mine this past weekend and it worked great ive gotta get an alinment though my steering wheel is crooked and it agravates me lol no pulling though and it was very easy

BC61

Be careful measuring off body panels. Are they square to the rear axle?

An old school method of squaring axles (centering to each other) can be done with jack stands and string. I'll assume the rear axle is centered. Take a string longer then the length of the jeep tie it to jack stands at either end of the vehicle. Adjust the jack stand and string height as close as you can get to the center of the wheel. The string needs to be pulled taught in a straight line with a gap about an inch from the rear tire sidewall. Measure the gap of the string off the sidewall of the rear edge of the tire and the front edge of the rear tire. This gap needs to be identical. Adjust the jack stands until it is. Set this up on both side of the vehicle. You now have a reference that is square to the rear axle. Center the front axle measuring to the string equaly on both sides.

Measure the front tires on the sidewall at both leading and trailing edges at the string. The measurement should be equal on both sides for the leading edge. The measurement should be equal on both sides for the trailing edge. The leading and trailing edge measurements can be different. The difference will be the toe setting.


You can also straighten your steering wheel once the axle is square.

XJeepWerks

I just bent my Trac Bar the other week wheelin' so my alignment is tanked. It doesn't pull, but it's crooked as hell lol and I lost a lot of right hand steering because of it.

syndrome_34

Thanks for the advice guys. I am going to give the jackstand method a try.

XJeepWerks

How do you go about actually moving the axle to the correct spot?

gpXJ

With the trac kbar disconnected at one end or the other, just turn your key to on and turn the wheel the opposite way you want the axle to move. This will turn the body of the jeep over the axle, then adjust your track bar, tighten the jam nut and mount it up!

XJeepWerks

Ok, thanks for the info. I definitely over complicated that when I installed the lift. Knowing this would have made it a lot easier haha

TheJerm

I do my own alignments by using the string method. Just tie the string the rear wheels and pull the straight forward. The strings will show you is you have to much toe in/out or if your axle is to the drivers side.

The best method ive used to move the axle to center it was put a ratchet strap and the body and use that to pull it over which ever way you need to.