Steering stabilizer problem during 6” install

[2006TJRubi]

Hi guys/gals. My 06 Rubicon is at the shop having a 6” long arm suspension installed. Shop says the steering stabilizer had to be removed as it was rubbing and says that a new steering kit that offsets away from the axle is required. Can’t find any post discussing this issue. Could the control arms just be too far out of adjustment. The kit says nothing about needing a new steering system. Thank you. Sorry no pictures.

 

[macleanflood]

Who's kit? And pictures are pretty critical to understanding the problem and suggesting solutions.

-Mac

 

[2006TJRubi]

Who's kit? And pictures are pretty critical to understanding the problem and suggesting solutions.

-Mac

Hi Mac. It’s a Rough Country 6” long arm on an otherwise stock Rubicon. I called RC and they said after alignment and adjustment it will be fine. Told the shop and he said it is aligned and needs a new steering setup. Seems like the axle may need rotating to gain room, but I’m new to this. Sorry I can’t get pictures till I go to shop.

 

[jjvw]

Your shop is incompetent.

 

[macleanflood]

Your shop is incompetent.

On which count? Installing/recommending a RC 6" long arm lift kit, or failing to figure out the steering setup?

-Mac

 

[2006TJRubi]

So.. you guys are in agreement that the control arms and other adjustments should correct the clearance issue with the stabilizer?

 

[jjvw]

On which count? Installing/recommending a RC 6" long arm lift kit, or failing to figure out the steering setup?

-Mac

Both. But we know that this kit has been successfully installed for more than 25 years with factory steering. The question suggests that this shop does not understand adjustable control arms.

 

[TheBoogieman]

It’s a Rough Country 6” long arm

 

[2006TJRubi]

I appreciate all of your expert advice. I have a better understanding of what the problem might be and how to address it now. It’s nice to have a place to ask questions and have people with real experience, and personal knowledge. Great people willing to share that knowledge with the new guys who sign up to the forum. The fact that each of you responded directly to me and didn’t start talking amongst yourselves, acting as if I wasn’t the one asking for help. You guys don’t judge based on name brands, how much someone spends, or has to spend building their Jeep. You don’t sit around with a better than thou attitude just because your Jeep and its parts are way, far superior. You’re not keyboard warriors that talk big but probably couldn’t muster up enough courage to act or speak the same way in person. Really, I really appreciate you all and look forward to spending more time, asking more questions, trying to fit in

 

[macleanflood]

I'm sure with some pictures we could do a better job of helping the shop out

I'd be more than willing to do a FB messenger video call too if they want help.

Everyone needs a little help sometimes.

My gut instinct is to start with checking the pinion angle.

Effectively they should start here...

Thread 'How to align your Jeep Wrangler TJ'

Oct 31, 2015

Here's how to check and adjust your own toe-in that also includes how to center the steering wheel as well as re-center the axle if necessary. With just a little care on your part with nothing more than a tape measure, a big set of pliers, and a wrench, you can easily set your toe-in with as much accuracy as an alignment shop can. Really.

Start after making sure the front axle is properly centered. That may involve adjusting the trackbar's length which can only be done if there's an aftermarket adjustable-length track bar installed. Or if the original OEM track bar is still installed and...

• Jerry Bransford
• alignment lj alignment tj alignment
• Replies: 400
• Forum: TJ How-to Guides

• 
• 

-Mac

 

[jjvw]

I appreciate all of your expert advice. I have a better understanding of what the problem might be and how to address it now. It’s nice to have a place to ask questions and have people with real experience, and personal knowledge. Great people willing to share that knowledge with the new guys who sign up to the forum. The fact that each of you responded directly to me and didn’t start talking amongst yourselves, acting as if I wasn’t the one asking for help. You guys don’t judge based on name brands, how much someone spends, or has to spend building their Jeep. You don’t sit around with a better than thou attitude just because your Jeep and its parts are way, far superior. You’re not keyboard warriors that talk big but probably couldn’t muster up enough courage to act or speak the same way in person. Really, I really appreciate you all and look forward to spending more time, asking more questions, trying to fit in

We are all equals here.

 

[2006TJRubi]

 

[2006TJRubi]

 

[Apparition]

Today I learned of a tire I've never heard of before.

https://performancediscounters.com/...-mud-tires-35x12-50r17-121q-lre-bsw-351250r17

 

[2006TJRubi]

 

[Superjay5]

There doesn’t look like there is any threads left in any of the arms to pull the axle back, or to rotate the pinion up. Ultimately the axle needs to be pulled back. Maybe the pinion rotated, but can’t help there unless you are in the ballpark for caster angle.

 

[jjvw]

Step one is that the shop ought to be doing any alignments and caster adjustments at normal ride height, rather than full shock extension.

They can and should also verify at both full shock extension and at full shock compression.

 

[Ir0nH3@d]

are they using OEM specs for the alignment? not sure about a 6" lift, but generally a drop pitman arm is a downgrade

 

[jjvw]

are they using OEM specs for the alignment? not sure about a 6" lift, but generally a drop pitman arm is a downgrade

He needs it for the dropped track bar mount. All or nothing.

 

[Rickyd]

Was the drag link replaced at the same time as the lift install? It sure looks like the axle needs to go back or the drag link wasn't bent correctly during manufacture.

Either way, a currectlync steering setup would be on my to do list