Problems with JK darting severely on the road

[Robbie]

I recently purchased a JK for the first time. It has been lifted and has all of the amenities to supposedly bring back the geometry. It has the drop pitman arm, double steering stabilizer, rear sway bar links on front and extended ones on the back. It was supposedly in the GREEN while gettin aligned. However, it is still darting severely on the not so smoothest of roads. Im not talking about potholes amd such, just regular old rougher back roads! Ive had lifted vehicles before but they didnt dart like this!! Please, any advice would be MUCH APPRECIATED!!

 

[BLACKJKU]

Does it have adjustable track bars? If so have you checked to see the axles are in the center of the body?

 

[Chris]

It has the drop pitman arm, double steering stabilizer

It shouldn't have either of those.

A dual steering stabilizer is one of the biggest marketing scams out there, period. They do nothing other than make it harder to steer and cause problems. Don't fall for that marketing bullshit.

As for a dropped pitman arm, it shouldn't have that either. The only way a dropped pitman arm is supposed to be used is with a dropped track bar bracket.

However, a lift that uses either a dropped pitman arm, dropped track bracket, or both, is an example of a poorly designed lift by someone who didn't know what they were doing.

The only time a dropped pitman arm and dropped track bracket would be necessary would on on lift heights far greater than what most of us would ever lift our Jeeps (I'm talking like 8" or more).

So my guess is that right there has a lot to do with your issue, as these components are a sign of a poorly engineered lift and are known to cause issues with steering, wander, etc.

Of course I'd also have your toe-in and caster checked as well.

 

[Robbie]

Does it have adjustable track bars? If so have you checked to see the axles are in the center of the body?

I have not checked that, but I will pass it along to the guy working on it for me. I used to do all my own work but broke my back a few yrs ago and cant hardly do it anymore! But I will definitely try that.

Thank you

It shouldn't have either of those.

A dual steering stabilizer is one of the biggest marketing scams out there, period. They do nothing other than make it harder to steer and cause problems. Don't fall for that marketing bullshit.

As for a dropped pitman arm, it shouldn't have that either. The only way a dropped pitman arm is supposed to be used is with a dropped track bar bracket.

However, a lift that uses either a dropped pitman arm, dropped track bracket, or both, is an example of a poorly designed lift by someone who didn't know what they were doing.

The only time a dropped pitman arm and dropped track bracket would be necessary would on on lift heights far greater than what most of us would ever lift our Jeeps (I'm talking like 8" or more).

So my guess is that right there has a lot to do with your issue, as these components are a sign of a poorly engineered lift and are known to cause issues with steering, wander, etc.

Of course I'd also have your toe-in and caster checked as well.

Its actually a Rough Country lift. The lift itself didn't come with them items. However the guy working on it for me did his girlfriends JK and it made a world of difference. Like I said I just bought it and all Ive done is put on the stabilizer links which helped! According to our local alignment shop its all in the green...BUUUUT, he doesnt do alot of lifted vehicles. So, I may take it to another shop to get it done right.
But back to your recommendations, you think the drop pitman arm and the dual stabilizer is not good for it?!?!?

 

[Chris]

I have not checked that, but I will pass it along to the guy working on it for me. I used to do all my own work but broke my back a few yrs ago and cant hardly do it anymore! But I will definitely try that.

Thank you

Its actually a Rough Country lift. The lift itself didn't come with them items. However the guy working on it for me did his girlfriends JK and it made a world of difference. Like I said I just bought it and all Ive done is put on the stabilizer links which helped! According to our local alignment shop its all in the green...BUUUUT, he doesnt do alot of lifted vehicles. So, I may take it to another shop to get it done right.
But back to your recommendations, you think the drop pitman arm and the dual stabilizer is not good for it?!?!?

Well, I can tell you for a solid fact (and this is a fact, I promise) that a drop pitman arm without the presence of a drop track bar bracket will mess up the steering geometry considerably, which will cause twitching, darting, etc., no doubt about it. A drop pitman arm should never, ever be installed without a drop track bar bracket, but both should be avoided entirely unless you're lifting it 8" or some insanely ridiculous lift height.

As for the dual steering stabilizers, those aren't doing you any good. I'm not sure who started that fad / myth, but it's definitely one that needs to go away, as they do more harm than good (two of them at least).

 

[Robbie]

Well, I can tell you for a solid fact (and this is a fact, I promise) that a drop pitman arm without the presence of a drop track bar bracket will mess up the steering geometry considerably, which will cause twitching, darting, etc., no doubt about it. A drop pitman arm should never, ever be installed without a drop track bar bracket, but both should be avoided entirely unless you're lifting it 8" or some insanely ridiculous lift height.

As for the dual steering stabilizers, those aren't doing you any good. I'm not sure who started that fad / myth, but it's definitely one that needs to go away, as they do more harm than good (two of them at least).

It does have the drop track bar brackets.

 

[Chris]

It does have the drop track bar brackets.

Well, that's good at least. However, I would still remove both the drop track bar bracket and the drop pitman arm, as they are not needed whatsoever, and really shouldn't be there to begin with.

 

[Boosthead]

How much is it lifted? Does it have geometry correction brackets for the front control arms, or replacement front control arms t correct caster? I lifted my wife's JKU without geo brackets and it was terrible, dead spot on center and then darted left or right depending on the road.