I installed my Black Diamond 3 in. suspension lift. Now I have some
questions:

1. I took it for alignment per the warranty/instructions. STS told me
they could not get the caster adjusted correctly because the lower
control arms/trailing links were not long enough. The left caster is
currently 4.7 degrees and the right caster is 5.0 degrees. Based on the
measurements on their machine the axle needs to go forward, and that's
not possible with the OEM lower links. Anyone else with this problem?
Suggestions?

2. Second and fourth gears, and reverse are giving me a hard time. I
think the problem is primarily the boot interfering with the gear
shifter. The mech at STS said I could get something to correct the shift
linkage. Anyone know what or where to get it?

3. I've only driven it a few miles since the lift was done. Twice when
pulling into driveways I've heard a noise that sounds like something is
hitting the OEM skid plate. Obviously that is not happening, but that's
what it sounds like. Thoughts, suggestions, similar problems?

4. When driving down the street at low speeds the stearing wheel is
pulsing left and right. No worse during acceleration or braking, same
all around. Thoughts, suggestions?

TIA for you help everyone.

Jay

 

1. You could get adjustable lower control arms, but 5 deg of caster is
fine. You'll never get 7.

3. Loose trackbar? Check all bolts for tightness. Then do it again in a
week or so.

4. Did you center your axle and then set toe?


JVC wrote:

> I installed my Black Diamond 3 in. suspension lift. Now I have some
> questions:
>
> 1. I took it for alignment per the warranty/instructions. STS told me
> they could not get the caster adjusted correctly because the lower
> control arms/trailing links were not long enough. The left caster is
> currently 4.7 degrees and the right caster is 5.0 degrees. Based on the
> measurements on their machine the axle needs to go forward, and that's
> not possible with the OEM lower links. Anyone else with this problem?
> Suggestions?
>
> 2. Second and fourth gears, and reverse are giving me a hard time. I
> think the problem is primarily the boot interfering with the gear
> shifter. The mech at STS said I could get something to correct the shift
> linkage. Anyone know what or where to get it?
>
> 3. I've only driven it a few miles since the lift was done. Twice when
> pulling into driveways I've heard a noise that sounds like something is
> hitting the OEM skid plate. Obviously that is not happening, but that's
> what it sounds like. Thoughts, suggestions, similar problems?
>
> 4. When driving down the street at low speeds the stearing wheel is
> pulsing left and right. No worse during acceleration or braking, same
> all around. Thoughts, suggestions?
>
> TIA for you help everyone.
>
> Jay
>

--
__________________________________________________ _________
tw

03 TJ Rubicon - Rubicon Express 4.5"
01 XJ Sport

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
-- Dave Barry

Pronunciation: 'jEp
Function: noun
Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase')
A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80-inch wheelbase,
1/4-ton capacity, and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in
World War II.

(Please remove the OBVIOUS to reply by email)
__________________________________________________ _________

 

1. You could get adjustable lower control arms, but 5 deg of caster is
fine. You'll never get 7.

3. Loose trackbar? Check all bolts for tightness. Then do it again in a
week or so.

4. Did you center your axle and then set toe?


JVC wrote:

> I installed my Black Diamond 3 in. suspension lift. Now I have some
> questions:
>
> 1. I took it for alignment per the warranty/instructions. STS told me
> they could not get the caster adjusted correctly because the lower
> control arms/trailing links were not long enough. The left caster is
> currently 4.7 degrees and the right caster is 5.0 degrees. Based on the
> measurements on their machine the axle needs to go forward, and that's
> not possible with the OEM lower links. Anyone else with this problem?
> Suggestions?
>
> 2. Second and fourth gears, and reverse are giving me a hard time. I
> think the problem is primarily the boot interfering with the gear
> shifter. The mech at STS said I could get something to correct the shift
> linkage. Anyone know what or where to get it?
>
> 3. I've only driven it a few miles since the lift was done. Twice when
> pulling into driveways I've heard a noise that sounds like something is
> hitting the OEM skid plate. Obviously that is not happening, but that's
> what it sounds like. Thoughts, suggestions, similar problems?
>
> 4. When driving down the street at low speeds the stearing wheel is
> pulsing left and right. No worse during acceleration or braking, same
> all around. Thoughts, suggestions?
>
> TIA for you help everyone.
>
> Jay
>

--
__________________________________________________ _________
tw

03 TJ Rubicon - Rubicon Express 4.5"
01 XJ Sport

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
-- Dave Barry

Pronunciation: 'jEp
Function: noun
Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase')
A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80-inch wheelbase,
1/4-ton capacity, and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in
World War II.

(Please remove the OBVIOUS to reply by email)
__________________________________________________ _________

 

1. You could get adjustable lower control arms, but 5 deg of caster is
fine. You'll never get 7.

3. Loose trackbar? Check all bolts for tightness. Then do it again in a
week or so.

4. Did you center your axle and then set toe?


JVC wrote:

> I installed my Black Diamond 3 in. suspension lift. Now I have some
> questions:
>
> 1. I took it for alignment per the warranty/instructions. STS told me
> they could not get the caster adjusted correctly because the lower
> control arms/trailing links were not long enough. The left caster is
> currently 4.7 degrees and the right caster is 5.0 degrees. Based on the
> measurements on their machine the axle needs to go forward, and that's
> not possible with the OEM lower links. Anyone else with this problem?
> Suggestions?
>
> 2. Second and fourth gears, and reverse are giving me a hard time. I
> think the problem is primarily the boot interfering with the gear
> shifter. The mech at STS said I could get something to correct the shift
> linkage. Anyone know what or where to get it?
>
> 3. I've only driven it a few miles since the lift was done. Twice when
> pulling into driveways I've heard a noise that sounds like something is
> hitting the OEM skid plate. Obviously that is not happening, but that's
> what it sounds like. Thoughts, suggestions, similar problems?
>
> 4. When driving down the street at low speeds the stearing wheel is
> pulsing left and right. No worse during acceleration or braking, same
> all around. Thoughts, suggestions?
>
> TIA for you help everyone.
>
> Jay
>

--
__________________________________________________ _________
tw

03 TJ Rubicon - Rubicon Express 4.5"
01 XJ Sport

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
-- Dave Barry

Pronunciation: 'jEp
Function: noun
Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase')
A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80-inch wheelbase,
1/4-ton capacity, and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in
World War II.

(Please remove the OBVIOUS to reply by email)
__________________________________________________ _________

 

Yeah, after doing a little research I'm not so worried about the caster.

I checked, and retourqued both track bars and the noise is still there.
I managed to figure out that it only happens when making a sharp right
turn and hitting a bump, or rut with the front right tire. For example,
making a right into the driveway at my post office this afternoon.
Sounds really bad, but I can't find anything that's loose or rubbing.

So far as the centering the axle and stuff, I had it aligned by a shop.

Jay

twaldron wrote:
> 1. You could get adjustable lower control arms, but 5 deg of caster is
> fine. You'll never get 7.
>
> 3. Loose trackbar? Check all bolts for tightness. Then do it again in a
> week or so.
>
> 4. Did you center your axle and then set toe?

 

Yeah, after doing a little research I'm not so worried about the caster.

I checked, and retourqued both track bars and the noise is still there.
I managed to figure out that it only happens when making a sharp right
turn and hitting a bump, or rut with the front right tire. For example,
making a right into the driveway at my post office this afternoon.
Sounds really bad, but I can't find anything that's loose or rubbing.

So far as the centering the axle and stuff, I had it aligned by a shop.

Jay

twaldron wrote:
> 1. You could get adjustable lower control arms, but 5 deg of caster is
> fine. You'll never get 7.
>
> 3. Loose trackbar? Check all bolts for tightness. Then do it again in a
> week or so.
>
> 4. Did you center your axle and then set toe?

 

Yeah, after doing a little research I'm not so worried about the caster.

I checked, and retourqued both track bars and the noise is still there.
I managed to figure out that it only happens when making a sharp right
turn and hitting a bump, or rut with the front right tire. For example,
making a right into the driveway at my post office this afternoon.
Sounds really bad, but I can't find anything that's loose or rubbing.

So far as the centering the axle and stuff, I had it aligned by a shop.

Jay

twaldron wrote:
> 1. You could get adjustable lower control arms, but 5 deg of caster is
> fine. You'll never get 7.
>
> 3. Loose trackbar? Check all bolts for tightness. Then do it again in a
> week or so.
>
> 4. Did you center your axle and then set toe?

 

Hi Jay,
Yes, correcting the caster would put a terrible angle on your pinion
U-joint.
The noise you're hearing isn't the tire rubbing the strut at full
turn, is it? Like the stop adjustment may help:
http://www.imajeep.com/Steering_Stop...ering_stop.htm
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

JVC wrote:
>
> Yeah, after doing a little research I'm not so worried about the caster.
>
> I checked, and retourqued both track bars and the noise is still there.
> I managed to figure out that it only happens when making a sharp right
> turn and hitting a bump, or rut with the front right tire. For example,
> making a right into the driveway at my post office this afternoon.
> Sounds really bad, but I can't find anything that's loose or rubbing.
>
> So far as the centering the axle and stuff, I had it aligned by a shop.
>
> Jay

 

Hi Jay,
Yes, correcting the caster would put a terrible angle on your pinion
U-joint.
The noise you're hearing isn't the tire rubbing the strut at full
turn, is it? Like the stop adjustment may help:
http://www.imajeep.com/Steering_Stop...ering_stop.htm
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

JVC wrote:
>
> Yeah, after doing a little research I'm not so worried about the caster.
>
> I checked, and retourqued both track bars and the noise is still there.
> I managed to figure out that it only happens when making a sharp right
> turn and hitting a bump, or rut with the front right tire. For example,
> making a right into the driveway at my post office this afternoon.
> Sounds really bad, but I can't find anything that's loose or rubbing.
>
> So far as the centering the axle and stuff, I had it aligned by a shop.
>
> Jay

 

Hi Jay,
Yes, correcting the caster would put a terrible angle on your pinion
U-joint.
The noise you're hearing isn't the tire rubbing the strut at full
turn, is it? Like the stop adjustment may help:
http://www.imajeep.com/Steering_Stop...ering_stop.htm
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

JVC wrote:
>
> Yeah, after doing a little research I'm not so worried about the caster.
>
> I checked, and retourqued both track bars and the noise is still there.
> I managed to figure out that it only happens when making a sharp right
> turn and hitting a bump, or rut with the front right tire. For example,
> making a right into the driveway at my post office this afternoon.
> Sounds really bad, but I can't find anything that's loose or rubbing.
>
> So far as the centering the axle and stuff, I had it aligned by a shop.
>
> Jay