TJ Caster adjustment
 

I have searched the web for any sites out there that detail how to adjust
caster on a lifted TJ. But no luck so far. Does anyone have a good site or
can you briefly 'splain it to me? After lifting the TJ and getting an
alignment, it still wanders all over the road indicating negative caster (or
is it positive). I believe that I can adjust the lower control arms to be
longer to correct this, but how much? I adjusted them to the same length as
the stock control arms and obviously that is not correct. Also, what is the
trick to getting the upper bolt hole to line up in the lower control arm?
That one was a beotch last time I installed them.

Also, is it safe or recommended to remove the control arms with the Jeep
sitting on all 4 wheels?

Thanks,
Dennis

Re: TJ Caster adjustment
 

Put the the axle on stands and measure the caster by placing an angle
finder on the bottom of the inner knuckle. Increase the length of your
LCAs in small increments until the the knuckle is 3-6 degrees. This tips
the pinion down, so only set as much positive caster as you need to
regain steering control.

Steve
http://xjeep.dyndns.org

Dennis Cox wrote:
> I have searched the web for any sites out there that detail how to adjust
> caster on a lifted TJ. But no luck so far. Does anyone have a good site or
> can you briefly 'splain it to me? After lifting the TJ and getting an
> alignment, it still wanders all over the road indicating negative caster (or
> is it positive). I believe that I can adjust the lower control arms to be
> longer to correct this, but how much? I adjusted them to the same length as
> the stock control arms and obviously that is not correct.

Re: TJ Caster adjustment
 

Put the the axle on stands and measure the caster by placing an angle
finder on the bottom of the inner knuckle. Increase the length of your
LCAs in small increments until the the knuckle is 3-6 degrees. This tips
the pinion down, so only set as much positive caster as you need to
regain steering control.

Steve
http://xjeep.dyndns.org

Dennis Cox wrote:
> I have searched the web for any sites out there that detail how to adjust
> caster on a lifted TJ. But no luck so far. Does anyone have a good site or
> can you briefly 'splain it to me? After lifting the TJ and getting an
> alignment, it still wanders all over the road indicating negative caster (or
> is it positive). I believe that I can adjust the lower control arms to be
> longer to correct this, but how much? I adjusted them to the same length as
> the stock control arms and obviously that is not correct.

Re: TJ Caster adjustment
 

Put the the axle on stands and measure the caster by placing an angle
finder on the bottom of the inner knuckle. Increase the length of your
LCAs in small increments until the the knuckle is 3-6 degrees. This tips
the pinion down, so only set as much positive caster as you need to
regain steering control.

Steve
http://xjeep.dyndns.org

Dennis Cox wrote:
> I have searched the web for any sites out there that detail how to adjust
> caster on a lifted TJ. But no luck so far. Does anyone have a good site or
> can you briefly 'splain it to me? After lifting the TJ and getting an
> alignment, it still wanders all over the road indicating negative caster (or
> is it positive). I believe that I can adjust the lower control arms to be
> longer to correct this, but how much? I adjusted them to the same length as
> the stock control arms and obviously that is not correct.

Re: TJ Caster adjustment
 

Put the the axle on stands and measure the caster by placing an angle
finder on the bottom of the inner knuckle. Increase the length of your
LCAs in small increments until the the knuckle is 3-6 degrees. This tips
the pinion down, so only set as much positive caster as you need to
regain steering control.

Steve
http://xjeep.dyndns.org

Dennis Cox wrote:
> I have searched the web for any sites out there that detail how to adjust
> caster on a lifted TJ. But no luck so far. Does anyone have a good site or
> can you briefly 'splain it to me? After lifting the TJ and getting an
> alignment, it still wanders all over the road indicating negative caster (or
> is it positive). I believe that I can adjust the lower control arms to be
> longer to correct this, but how much? I adjusted them to the same length as
> the stock control arms and obviously that is not correct.

Re: TJ Caster adjustment
 

thanks, I'll try that. You state to put the axle on stands, does it help to
have the frame supported as well? Are there any tricks to getting the LCA's
reinstalled after each adjustment? They were a pita to install the first
time. Very tough to line up those upper bolt holes.

Thanks,
Dennis

"Steve" <xjlifter@bogus.com> wrote in message
news:yXh4e.10093$Ln.455301@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca...
> Put the the axle on stands and measure the caster by placing an angle
> finder on the bottom of the inner knuckle. Increase the length of your
> LCAs in small increments until the the knuckle is 3-6 degrees. This tips
> the pinion down, so only set as much positive caster as you need to regain
> steering control.
>
> Steve
> http://xjeep.dyndns.org
>
> Dennis Cox wrote:
>> I have searched the web for any sites out there that detail how to adjust
>> caster on a lifted TJ. But no luck so far. Does anyone have a good site
>> or can you briefly 'splain it to me? After lifting the TJ and getting an
>> alignment, it still wanders all over the road indicating negative caster
>> (or is it positive). I believe that I can adjust the lower control arms
>> to be longer to correct this, but how much? I adjusted them to the same
>> length as the stock control arms and obviously that is not correct.

Re: TJ Caster adjustment
 

thanks, I'll try that. You state to put the axle on stands, does it help to
have the frame supported as well? Are there any tricks to getting the LCA's
reinstalled after each adjustment? They were a pita to install the first
time. Very tough to line up those upper bolt holes.

Thanks,
Dennis

"Steve" <xjlifter@bogus.com> wrote in message
news:yXh4e.10093$Ln.455301@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca...
> Put the the axle on stands and measure the caster by placing an angle
> finder on the bottom of the inner knuckle. Increase the length of your
> LCAs in small increments until the the knuckle is 3-6 degrees. This tips
> the pinion down, so only set as much positive caster as you need to regain
> steering control.
>
> Steve
> http://xjeep.dyndns.org
>
> Dennis Cox wrote:
>> I have searched the web for any sites out there that detail how to adjust
>> caster on a lifted TJ. But no luck so far. Does anyone have a good site
>> or can you briefly 'splain it to me? After lifting the TJ and getting an
>> alignment, it still wanders all over the road indicating negative caster
>> (or is it positive). I believe that I can adjust the lower control arms
>> to be longer to correct this, but how much? I adjusted them to the same
>> length as the stock control arms and obviously that is not correct.

Re: TJ Caster adjustment
 

thanks, I'll try that. You state to put the axle on stands, does it help to
have the frame supported as well? Are there any tricks to getting the LCA's
reinstalled after each adjustment? They were a pita to install the first
time. Very tough to line up those upper bolt holes.

Thanks,
Dennis

"Steve" <xjlifter@bogus.com> wrote in message
news:yXh4e.10093$Ln.455301@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca...
> Put the the axle on stands and measure the caster by placing an angle
> finder on the bottom of the inner knuckle. Increase the length of your
> LCAs in small increments until the the knuckle is 3-6 degrees. This tips
> the pinion down, so only set as much positive caster as you need to regain
> steering control.
>
> Steve
> http://xjeep.dyndns.org
>
> Dennis Cox wrote:
>> I have searched the web for any sites out there that detail how to adjust
>> caster on a lifted TJ. But no luck so far. Does anyone have a good site
>> or can you briefly 'splain it to me? After lifting the TJ and getting an
>> alignment, it still wanders all over the road indicating negative caster
>> (or is it positive). I believe that I can adjust the lower control arms
>> to be longer to correct this, but how much? I adjusted them to the same
>> length as the stock control arms and obviously that is not correct.

Re: TJ Caster adjustment
 

thanks, I'll try that. You state to put the axle on stands, does it help to
have the frame supported as well? Are there any tricks to getting the LCA's
reinstalled after each adjustment? They were a pita to install the first
time. Very tough to line up those upper bolt holes.

Thanks,
Dennis

"Steve" <xjlifter@bogus.com> wrote in message
news:yXh4e.10093$Ln.455301@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca...
> Put the the axle on stands and measure the caster by placing an angle
> finder on the bottom of the inner knuckle. Increase the length of your
> LCAs in small increments until the the knuckle is 3-6 degrees. This tips
> the pinion down, so only set as much positive caster as you need to regain
> steering control.
>
> Steve
> http://xjeep.dyndns.org
>
> Dennis Cox wrote:
>> I have searched the web for any sites out there that detail how to adjust
>> caster on a lifted TJ. But no luck so far. Does anyone have a good site
>> or can you briefly 'splain it to me? After lifting the TJ and getting an
>> alignment, it still wanders all over the road indicating negative caster
>> (or is it positive). I believe that I can adjust the lower control arms
>> to be longer to correct this, but how much? I adjusted them to the same
>> length as the stock control arms and obviously that is not correct.

Re: TJ Caster adjustment
 

Can't you leave the upper bolt connected and turn the lower half to
adjust? Either way, support the frame.

Another way to measure relative caster without getting inside the
knuckles is to put the angle finder on the flat surface that the front
diff cover mounts to. Do this on a flat surface while the vehicle is
unsupported.

Steve
http://xjeep.dyndns.org

Dennis Cox wrote:
> thanks, I'll try that. You state to put the axle on stands, does it help to
> have the frame supported as well? Are there any tricks to getting the LCA's
> reinstalled after each adjustment? They were a pita to install the first
> time. Very tough to line up those upper bolt holes.
>
> Thanks,
> Dennis
>
> "Steve" <xjlifter@bogus.com> wrote in message
> news:yXh4e.10093$Ln.455301@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca...
>
>>Put the the axle on stands and measure the caster by placing an angle
>>finder on the bottom of the inner knuckle. Increase the length of your
>>LCAs in small increments until the the knuckle is 3-6 degrees. This tips
>>the pinion down, so only set as much positive caster as you need to regain
>>steering control.
>>
>>Steve
>>http://xjeep.dyndns.org
>>
>>Dennis Cox wrote:
>>
>>>I have searched the web for any sites out there that detail how to adjust
>>>caster on a lifted TJ. But no luck so far. Does anyone have a good site
>>>or can you briefly 'splain it to me? After lifting the TJ and getting an
>>>alignment, it still wanders all over the road indicating negative caster
>>>(or is it positive). I believe that I can adjust the lower control arms
>>>to be longer to correct this, but how much? I adjusted them to the same
>>>length as the stock control arms and obviously that is not correct.