I replaced my 1999 Wrangler OEM Dana 30 low-pinion front axle with a Dana 30 high-pinion from a Cherokee a few years back. I installed a rear trac-bar bracket and an adjustable front trac-bar to compensate for the 2" lift with 31" tires. (I'm thinking the lift may have reduced the OEM positive Caster.) At 160K miles now, I would like to replace the OEM upper and lower control arms as the "wandering" seems to be getting more pronounced. I measured the Caster at the lower knuckle and it is roughly 3 degrees positive. The Service Manual says it should be 7 +/- 1. The axle mounts don't have any provisions for cam bolts so I can either buy and weld new adjustable axle brackets (I would have to pay to have that done) or, I can install adjustable lower control arms. (With the high pinion, I'm well within the pinion/driveshaft angle at 3000RPM which I normally shift at and otherwise don't exceed.) Which would be the best and least expensive option?
Caster adjustment with non-adjustable axle mounts
- Thread starter Jkoop
- Start date
One of the previous posts indicated that if you replace front lower OEM control arms with adjustable ones, you should also replace the uppers with adjustable ones so you can keep the axle and wheels centered in the wheel-well as well as maintain pinion angle somewhat. I intend to replace these with the alignment shop dialing them in. Cost is an issue however, I prefer to buy American made. Any recommendations on available brands?
Currie arms with Currie's Johnny Joints as sold by their offroad division https://www.rockjock4x4.com/ Or nearly any control arm with Johnny Joints like some other companies like Core4x4. Johnny Joint flex joints are real hard to beat, I've been running them on Currie arms for about 14 years now with no problems.
I agree, I got Savvy Aluminum control arms with the Johnny Joints, but the Currie look great and I got Core 4x4 for my son's JK, and they were good quality, just get the JJ ones.
Thanks for recommendations. So just to clarify, I should replace both OEM uppers and lowers with adjustable CA's
With only a 2” lift and cost being a concern, I would just go with new stock replacements. Usually adjustable control arms are not necessary until about 3” of lift and even then some people still run stock arms. You’re looking at around $900 dollars for the four front arms with. Johnny joints!
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deadbeat son
TJ Addict
Yes I realize that doesn’t address that. What I was thinking is he says the wandering is worse now that he has 160K on the Jeep. Did he have the wandering right after the installation of the HP30 or after many thousands of miles? Would or can installing that axle change the caster? I don’t know.
Wow, those Savvy arms are "ginormus". Looks like something I would have on the farm tractor!! I think Core 4x4's fit my budget better along with my driving expectations. Back when I changed out the Dana 30 axle, all I was focused on was getting rid of the 3.07 gears. Never paid much attention to the Wandering figuring that's just a Jeep. As I noticed it more, I got into the detail's of how a 2.8* positive caster even with a proper alignment, can have a negative effect on forward motion. I don't expect this to drive like my wife's Towncar nor do I want it to but, I am trying to do what I can within my budget to eliminate the variables. Thank you all for sharing your wealth of information and knowledge on this subject.
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