What a difference new springs make!

About a year ago I installed the BDS 2.5". They are good for off-road.
It was a must to deal with tie rods, as all angles were changed and it was impossible to drive the Jeep safe.
I would strongly recommand doing that check in a good shop with good equipment. Dont skip that stage.

 

Sorry, I should have said the driveshaft angles/length. I did have to go to get the alignment done. Thank you for bringing this up! (my bad)

 

Was the alignment an easy thing to have a modern shop do? Was it safe to drive a mile or two to the shop for service once lift was complete? What else do you need to do to the jeep after the BDS 2.5" install? Can you be a bit more specific about that? Thanks!!
AND - It says the BDS rear springs are 44 1/8" in length and the original springs are 46 1/8". Does anything need to be modified because of this?

 

2nd question first - yes you can drive to the shop safely.

Your local tire shop will have an alignment machine. On a Jeep, the only things that are easy for them to do is set the toe-in and center the steering. Caster and camber are welded-in to the axle housing. You want the printout from the machine. That will tell you the caster, and indicate what tapered shims (if any) you need to add between the spring and the axle to set the caster properly. In terms of alignment, the caster is usually way off with a lift, because the higher arch springs change the front-back inclination of the knuckle wrt the road surface.

I know my BDS springs are two different lengths front and back, but they just bolted in. No need to worry about the length.

 

hey timgr thanks! I swear I hear the professors voice when I read your posts - great avatar.
So... with the BDS 2.5 will my caster need adjusting? Or is it different for each individual jeep?
I have looked everywhere but cant find an exact measurement. What is the center line distance between the rear spring eyelets? I suspect the PO moved the back one.
Thank you!!!!

 

Mine did. I added shims from Mcruff.

 

After I replaced the springs and shocks as part of the kit (and all the other bits as well) I replaced the tie rods and all of the steering gear from the PITTMAN arm to the wheels. I then eyeballed the alignment using chalk and measuring tape to get a safe slow driver out of her. Then drove the 10 miles at 25mph to the alignment shop I trust. Tires squealed a bit, and occasionally she'd pull left or right but I got there. I gave them the specks from the FSM and the printout afterwards matched. Drive home was much better, like a new vehicle...then I put new tires on this Summer and she really does drive like a new vehicle yet again.

Still a stiff ride over rough roads, but completely different than when she first came home in 2012.

 

Good to know! Yeah I think tie rods are going to be next years/springs project along with tires like you did. Thanks for the info!