Wheel Alignment Results - Caster And Other Questions

I finally got time to get an alignment after replacing the drag link, tie rods, steering box and steering shaft. I get the Toe but is the caster acceptable? Which of the 3 boxes should I use for the caster? I also have about 3-4 inches of play in the steering wheel even with everything I replaced,can I tighten up the steering box or is that a bad idea to mess with that setting? I haven't had a chance for a good road test to see if it still wonders depending on the road surface.

 

Which steering box do you have?

 

I will have to check but I want to say Crown.

 

you may want increase the caster to 6-8 degrees. i did the same thing you are doing now. replaced everything and didnt get better. it was like magic. i increased my caster to 7 and its like a new cj.

 

Is that done by adding shims like the rear axle? Where can I find some that aren't aluminum?

 

front axle. it just a wedge that you buy in different degrees.
easy to install.
go online and purchase.
of course everybody has their own situation but, i did all that stuff
and the people on this site helped me through this.
caster was my issue.
i would hold off on adjusting the steering box. if you bought it new or rebuilt,
it most likely came set to factory specs.

 

Shims ordered. Thanks for the help.

 

buy new U bolts when you do this.

 

Definitely!

 

Where did you get your shims?

 

I used this company
https://warriorproducts.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=caster+shims

 

Would these shims allow me to keep the longer shackles the previous owner put on the front? Seems like I could keep the droop they give me and get back my caster? I don't love the long shackles on my Jeep but it sure does have a lot of droop.

 

Yes. The greatest problem with extended shackles is the stress they put on the bushings/hangers. You need to check them regularly. Maybe obvious, but loose bushing cause all sorts of handling problems, including death wobble. The shims will also adversely affect the front pinion angle. If your front driveshaft develops a vibration after this, you probably will need a double cardan joint.

 

Shackles don't give droop unless they are revolver style. It may appear that way, but only the spring flexes. Shackles do remove castor though.

 

So should I ditch the long shackles and get something reasonable? They definitely stress the stock hangers and I think that is the reason I had to retorque them when I bought the Jeep a couple months ago. Stock on the 78 CJ was like 3.5 inches long shackle (I think). I could get some Daystar ones that give like 1/2 of lift instead of my much longer ones I have now (Maybe 1.5-1.75" lift). I only run 33's so fitment is not a fear (and I believe there are some lift springs on there anyway). What say you ECJ5 folk...ditch the old long shackles for some short ones? Just don't want to lose out on off-road flex - but it sounds like I wont?

 

The correct length shackle allows the spring to fully extend if the spring went to a completely flat position. They should not
be used to try to lift the vehicle. That said I would go no more than 1" over stock length.

 

Vtxtacy pretty much nailed it. I too would ditch the extended shackles. 1/2-1” over stock is about right for lift springs. You might increase the flexibility a little with a slightly longer shackle. And usually after market shackles are stronger. As stated above though, a longer shackle is not a smart way to achieve lift.

Keep in mind that you get 1/2 the extra length in lift. For example a 1” longer than stock shackle (bolt centers) yields 1/2” of lift.

Then there’s the front shackle reversal…lots of differing opinions on that.

 

I've built so many 4x4's and always had stock shackles. This Jeep showed up with these monster shackles and I sorta turned a blind eye to them. Its time to get some short ones on there and if I need more height out of my suspension (shouldn't) I'll look into the leaves themselves.

 

I put Fishbone brand from Summit Racing on mine because the stock ones were flimsy and completely shot. The Fishbones are super HD, have bushings and are greaseable for about $80.00 a pair.