Just installed my RC 4.5" with Adjustable CA and CAD bracket.

As per instruction, i adjust the control arms to RC spec,
(These are the measurement with control arm drop bracket for 4.5" lift)
LCA 15.75"
UCA 15"

When installing the LCA (together with the factory alignment bracket), i had the LCA all the way back against the CAD as you can see in the pic below.



Upon completing my installation, i suspect the caster is off as my steering wheel does not return to center. I extended the LCA by a turn and now the steering wheel does return.

Here are some question i wish you can help...

Took it to a 4x4 shop for an alignment and have my 32" tires mounted at the same time.
1)Instead of mounting the tires, then do the alignment.....he align with my old semi-worn out 28", then aligned.
Does this sounds right?

2)Was told my caster was off and he did some LCA adjustment by pushing the CA forward. You can see from the below pic (not the actual pic but similar) that the LCA/CAD bolt is pushed forward compared to the previous pic.
Should the LCA be extended (since i have adj CA) rather than pushing it forward. His way would give the LCA a chance to move backward since its only held on my one bolt.


3)Driving out of the shop, i realized that the front tires are rubbing against my front bumper cap when the wheels are at full lock.
Did the mechanic adjust my axle too much forward? Should he had reduce the UCA instead of extending the LCA?

It drives fine for now, except it pulls a little to the right.
Also i have no from front drive at the moment so can't know if there is any vibration due to pinion angle.

Here is the report




Sorry for the loooong post.
Would really appreciate if i can get some help.
.
.

 

arm should be to the back of slot deff then adjust arms by chart...http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/..._Arm_Chart.htm

 

Read this at http://www.yuccaman.com/jeep/dw.html

Does it make any difference adjustable CA or not?
Based on my limit experience (from reading), increasing caster would automaticlly lower the pinion angle relative to the TC?

The more i read, the more i'm confused.

 

Thx freegdr.
That was my initial setup before the alignment shop adjust it.
If i push it back and go back to my old measurement....that caster would be off again.

Should i extend the LCA or reduce the UCA? I'm trying to move the axle back and at the same time increase the caster.....make sense?

 

When in doubt adjust the LCA's center hub to hub is 101.4 ( factory) and the upper 86.5 on a angle finder and you should be golden.

 

Not quite understanding you....are those numbers angle or length.
Hub to hub as in eye to eye?.....sorry if it sounded dumb (newbie here )

One more question....
What adjustment do i need to do to push the front axle back but retaining the caster angle? (my tires are rubbing the front bumper caps)

 

101 is wheel base center to center-86.5 is 3.5 gegrees up from you pinion running parallel with the ground...http://go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoAlignment.htm

 

Center of front and rear hubs(your wheels) find the center of each and have someone hold the dumb end of the tape on center of one wheel while you pull the tape to the center of the other,factory wheel base is 101.4. 86.5 is the reading you want when using an angle finder on you diff ( caster ) you can buy angle finders at home depot for about $10.00.once you have the LCA's adjusted so the WB is 101.4,then set your UCA's caster (86.5) .86/.87 is also acceptable..

 

Thank you very much for the link and explanation!

I think i fully understand now.
I'll work on it tomorrow.......will update.

I really appreciate the time taken to help me out .

 

Only 2.5 years later... no update?

 

El oh el. Did he die? Get kicked off the forum? Sold the jeep? Who knows!? Haha

 

...so, dude...

...what happened, we're waiting, c'mon, mannn...