Jeep Wrangler JK Alignment
After the
installation of a lift on a Jeep an alignment
will make sure the Jeep tracks correctly down
the road and prevent premature tire wear.
Unlike a typical
car the Jeep Wrangler continues the long
tradition of simplicity and relative
un-adjustability in regard to suspension
adjustment.
On a solid front
axle Jeep Wrangler TJ and JK the only real
adjustment that can be made is toe and caster.
For more information on what these two terms
mean see
Toe, Caster, and Camber.
In order to get a
truly accurate look at the the entire alignment
of the jeepfan.com JK after the installation of
the BDS lift we paid a visit to
OK Auto in
Stewartsville, NJ. OK uses a sophisticated
wheel alignment system that uses reflector
panels attached all 4 wheels of the Jeep.
The unit uses flashing led lights to get
extremely accurate readings to allow the
operator to align the vehicle within
specifications.
The system
measures the following...Camber, Caster, Toe,
and Thrust Angle.
Thrust angle
is the measurement of the front to rear axle
looking from above. This angle will
indicate how close to parallel the front and
rear axle are. The further off and the
jeep will have a pull since the axles will
follow a slightly different path. Raising
the Jeep will cause the track bar to pull the
axle to one side at the same time causing the
axle to turn slightly. An adjustable track
bar or track bar relocation bracket will allow
the axle to remain in the proper position
therefore reducing the thrust angle.
John from OK was
to do our alignment and after some brief
discussion the JK was put up onto the lift to
get started.
The system was
turned on and the computer quickly reported it's
findings. Much to our surprise the Jeep
fell completely within spec of all adjustable
components. Below are the readings and the
specification tolerances.
| |
Spec |
Left |
Right |
|
Caster |
3.7-4.7
degrees |
4.1 |
4.7 |
|
Camber |
-0.6-0.1 |
-0.4 |
-0.9 |
| Toe |
0.07-0.13 |
0.11 |
0.11 |
|
Thrust Angle |
Spec
-0.25-0.25 |
Actual 0.00 |
I was nice to see
that the Jeep's lift after using the proper
suspension correcting components (see right)
does not affect the alignment. Ever since
we installed the first lift on the jeepfan.com
JK we have experiences the slightest pull to the
right. It was hoped that the alignment
would reveal something but it didn't so the pull
remains a mystery and will go down as it's a
Jeep thing.
Review of the Jeep's suspension.
The
jeepfan.com JK is equipped with a 3" BDS lift,
drop rear track bar bracket, front adjustable
track bar, and caster adjusting lower control
arm bolts.
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