Forums
New posts
Search forums
Image search
Shop
Amazon Store
T-Shirts
Stickers
Members
Current visitors
Supporting Member Upgrade
Sponsors
About
Log in
Register
Search
Search titles only
By:
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Image search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Search titles only
By:
Menu
Install the app
Install
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Jeep Wrangler JK Resources
JK How-to Guides
How to align the front end of your Jeep Wrangler JK
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Chris" data-source="post: 422897" data-attributes="member: 1"><p><strong>Re-centering Your Front Axle</strong></p><p>Just like your steering wheel, any amount of lift will cause your axle to shift over toward the driver side of your Jeep. The taller you go, the more shift you will see. Up to about 3" of lift, all you really need to correct this is an adjustable front track bar and this write-up will help you to set it so that you can reposition your axle. Please note, if you have a 4" lift of taller, your steering geometry will be off enough that you will want to correct that as well as it will improve your handling. To do this, you'll need to install both a track bar relocation bracket and drag link flip kit. It is critical that BOTH are installed at the same time. </p><p></p><p>1. In order to set an adjustable front track bar, you will first need to determine how much your front axle is off by. To do this, firmly hold a carpenters level up against the sidewall of your driver side front tire making sure that it is aligned to the center of the wheel. Make sure that the bubble in the level is centered and then, using a tape measure, measure the distance between it and the edge of your fender flare (or other pre-determined point like the spring perch). If your level is making contact with a shoulder lug on your tire, be sure to make a note of it especially if the lugs are of different sizes or are located at different points along the edge of the tire and would influence your measurement. Repeat the process on the passenger side of your Jeep (again being aware of the shoulder lugs and how they might influence your measurements) and then calculate the difference between the two sides. </p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]114364[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>2. Using a 21mm socket, remove the bolt securing your adjustable front track bar to the axle mount. </p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]114365[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>3. Using a crescent wrench, loosen the jam nut securing the rod end to the track bar. Then, rotate the jam nut all the way to the head of the rod end and measure the gap between it and the track bar edge. </p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]114366[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>4. With the help of a ruler for accuracy, rotate the rod end in or out until the gap between the jam nut and the track bar edge has effectively added or subtracted the length required to re-center your front axle. </p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]114367[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>5. Use a crescent wrench to secure the rod end jam nut in place and make sure that you still have both misalignment spacers in place. With the engine OFF, put your key in the ignition, make sure that the steering wheel is unlocked and then have a friend turn it in one direction or the other until you can line up your adjustable front track bar rod end with the axle mount hole on your Jeep JK Wrangler. Secure the rod end in place using the factory hardware.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]114368[/ATTACH] </p><p></p><p>6. Using a 21mm socket, tighten your adjustable front track bar to the axle mount of your Jeep JK Wrangler to 125 ft. lbs. of torque.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]114369[/ATTACH] </p><p></p><p>7. Take your JK for a spin to work everything in and then repeat step #1 to verify that your axle is now re-centered. If not, calculate how much more or less you need to adjust your adjustable front track bar, and repeat the process until your axle is centered.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Chris, post: 422897, member: 1"] [B]Re-centering Your Front Axle[/B] Just like your steering wheel, any amount of lift will cause your axle to shift over toward the driver side of your Jeep. The taller you go, the more shift you will see. Up to about 3" of lift, all you really need to correct this is an adjustable front track bar and this write-up will help you to set it so that you can reposition your axle. Please note, if you have a 4" lift of taller, your steering geometry will be off enough that you will want to correct that as well as it will improve your handling. To do this, you'll need to install both a track bar relocation bracket and drag link flip kit. It is critical that BOTH are installed at the same time. 1. In order to set an adjustable front track bar, you will first need to determine how much your front axle is off by. To do this, firmly hold a carpenters level up against the sidewall of your driver side front tire making sure that it is aligned to the center of the wheel. Make sure that the bubble in the level is centered and then, using a tape measure, measure the distance between it and the edge of your fender flare (or other pre-determined point like the spring perch). If your level is making contact with a shoulder lug on your tire, be sure to make a note of it especially if the lugs are of different sizes or are located at different points along the edge of the tire and would influence your measurement. Repeat the process on the passenger side of your Jeep (again being aware of the shoulder lugs and how they might influence your measurements) and then calculate the difference between the two sides. [ATTACH=full]114364[/ATTACH] 2. Using a 21mm socket, remove the bolt securing your adjustable front track bar to the axle mount. [ATTACH=full]114365[/ATTACH] 3. Using a crescent wrench, loosen the jam nut securing the rod end to the track bar. Then, rotate the jam nut all the way to the head of the rod end and measure the gap between it and the track bar edge. [ATTACH=full]114366[/ATTACH] 4. With the help of a ruler for accuracy, rotate the rod end in or out until the gap between the jam nut and the track bar edge has effectively added or subtracted the length required to re-center your front axle. [ATTACH=full]114367[/ATTACH] 5. Use a crescent wrench to secure the rod end jam nut in place and make sure that you still have both misalignment spacers in place. With the engine OFF, put your key in the ignition, make sure that the steering wheel is unlocked and then have a friend turn it in one direction or the other until you can line up your adjustable front track bar rod end with the axle mount hole on your Jeep JK Wrangler. Secure the rod end in place using the factory hardware. [ATTACH=full]114368[/ATTACH] 6. Using a 21mm socket, tighten your adjustable front track bar to the axle mount of your Jeep JK Wrangler to 125 ft. lbs. of torque. [ATTACH=full]114369[/ATTACH] 7. Take your JK for a spin to work everything in and then repeat step #1 to verify that your axle is now re-centered. If not, calculate how much more or less you need to adjust your adjustable front track bar, and repeat the process until your axle is centered. [/QUOTE]
Verification
Post reply
Jeep Wrangler JK Resources
JK How-to Guides
How to align the front end of your Jeep Wrangler JK
Top
Bottom