Caster adjustment?

[frozen chosen]

I have the R/C 4.5 and was wondering if I should have had my caster adjusted when I installed the lift or do the LCA that come with that kit compensate for that? I had an alignment done after installing the lift but no adjustment was made to caster angles. The reason I am looking into this is that I have a vibe coming from the front end and I am going to remove the front D/S tonight to see if that is my problem but I live in ND and don't want to go without it for more than a day since we are setting all time snowfall records and I don't want to have to need it with it being out. my vibe is from 50mph on up. I have a SYE in the rear and did not lower my TC when I did the install. HP 30 in the front. Do I need to put the TC drop on the rig? Any info would be great before I go without a DS in this snow.

 

[FordGuy]

What was the reading on the caster? and do you know the drive-shaft angle readings? Sometimes it becomes a little give and take between both caster and your pinion angle.

 

[frozen chosen]

I would have to look at the paperwork again to see what the caster angle was before the alignment. How would I adjust the front pinion angle?

 

[FordGuy]

Lower arms, the bolt holes are slotted also.

 

[frozen chosen]

Thank you, I will have to look into this. I have fixed LCA at this time and If I am not mistaken I need to be at about 5.5*caster with a 4.5 in. lift...

 

[mucovich]

I think that between 5 and 7 is good, you could try to get some alignment shims from a local shop or splurge for adjustables

 

[frozen chosen]

Do they really make adjustables? where can I get these at?

 

[FordGuy]

Look at all the readings first, then decide what to do.

 

[frozen chosen]

I plan on that....I hate making adjustments and having to do them over again because I didn't do enough research...Thanks for the input from both of you guys..

 

[frozen chosen]

So I got my paperwork on lunch and find out that the caster angle is set at 9.0* and 9.1*. Could this the main reason for my vibration?

 

[FordGuy]

That's way high. You need to be around 5 deg. What does the Pinion angle look like?

 

[dgrigorenko]

So I got my paperwork on lunch and find out that the caster angle is set at 9.0* and 9.1*. Could this the main reason for my vibration?

yes.

 

[frozen chosen]

Looking at the angle, it looks as though it is level, pointing directly at the rear axle. I guess that it is pointed up a little but not much....

 

[FordGuy]

Post a pic with a good side view if you can.

 

[frozen chosen]

No camera or I would...Left it in the jeep last weekend and the temps got to -35...found out that is not good for a camera. hasn't worked since...
If I am not mistaken, I need to point the pinion up toward the Tcase at about 3* under pointing straight at it...by making the change from 9* to lets say 6* I think it will cure part of my problem. Then I am going to look at my DS and see if I have destroyed my universal.

 

[RCP Phx]

No camera or I would...Left it in the jeep last weekend and the temps got to -35...found out that is not good for a camera. hasn't worked since...
If I am not mistaken, I need to point the pinion up toward the Tcase at about 3* under pointing straight at it...by making the change from 9* to lets say 6* I think it will cure part of my problem. Then I am going to look at my DS and see if I have destroyed my universal.

Yeap,more than likely your going to need some adjustable uppers.

 

[FordGuy]

Sounds like you are on the right track.

 

[frozen chosen]

Thanks again for the help...

 

[builder]

At 4.5 inches no drop brackets. lca's 16.5, uca 15. but at 5 inches uca will be around 15 1/4.at 4.5 adjustable uppers and lowers a good idea to dial it in.

 

[frozen chosen]

I thought about buying the adjustables but I don't want to spend the money when I am going to go with a long arm tri Y radius setup this summer when I have the money... Just trying to get by until then without screwing things up in the mean time...