Anyone switch from Clayton Springs to Synergy?

[dayusmc]

After stopping and thinking about it. I realize I went backwards today by going off Clayton's chart. Saturday I will resume working on it and adjust the uppers a hair less than stock. This always happens when I blindly follow things...

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[Wheelin98TJ]

Ideally you adjust your uppers until you have about 5.5-6 degrees of caster.

Your pinion angle will be fine. You’ll have vibrations if it isn’t. They won’t measure this on an alignment rack.

 

[Chunky White]

I am not on an alignment rack

If the eleve8 lower arms aren't the same length that Clayton suggest the Clayton upper measurement won't be correct for your jeep. If you check pinion or caster angle with the jeep resting on flat ground or level on jack stands and get it to the correct angle hopefully your springs will be straight. You don't need an alignment rack. I mentioned pinion angle because you can use a angle finder to find out what the pinion angle is and adjust from there. I don't know the correct angle but I am sure someone has posted it on the forum somewhere.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

If the eleve8 lower arms aren't the same length that Clayton suggest the Clayton upper measurement won't be correct for your jeep. If you check pinion or caster angle with the jeep resting on flat ground or level on jack stands and get it to the correct angle hopefully your springs will be straight. You don't need an alignment rack. I mentioned pinion angle because you can use a angle finder to find out what the pinion angle is and adjust from there. I don't know the correct angle but I am sure someone has posted it on the forum somewhere.

The Clayton suggestions are just that, suggestions. You can start there and adjust if needed. With no adjustable lowers, front uppers should be adjusted until caster is in desired range. If there are vibrations from the pinion angle, you have to back off the caster.

The correct and most perfect pinion angle for a front CV driveshaft is axle pinion pointed at the t-case output with the u-joint at the axle end seeing 0 degrees. This puts the minimum angle on the CV end. The CV will die quicker with too much angle. You can usually eye ball it pretty easy.

 

[dayusmc]

The Clayton suggestions are just that, suggestions. You can start there and adjust if needed. With no adjustable lowers, front uppers should be adjusted until caster is in desired range. If there are vibrations from the pinion angle, you have to back off the caster.

The correct and most perfect pinion angle for a front CV driveshaft is axle pinion pointed at the t-case output with the u-joint at the axle end seeing 0 degrees. This puts the minimum angle on the CV end. The CV will die quicker with too much angle. You can usually eye ball it pretty easy.

Not really sure how to do this

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Not really sure how to do this

Is there a shop somewhat close that installs lifts and does alignments?

If not, adjust your uppers to Clayton’s recommended length like you planned to redo. Then go to an alignment shop and ask them to align it and give you the numbers. If caster is too low, you can shorten the uppers a little more. Clayton can probably tell you about how many arm end rotations equal how much caster degree change.

 

[dayusmc]

Shops around here will not take the upper control arms off to do an Alignment.

Its Ok, I figured it all out

 

[gstipton]

Your plan is solid. Taking a break and getting a good night’s sleep before diving back in almost always helps too.

 

[JTGuy]

Remember that your front driveshaft does NOT spin unless you are in 4x4 mode. If you had synergy control arms you could adjust them bolted in place. I have all 4 rear control arms Synergy to correct the rear pinion angle. If I ever replace my front control arms they will be Synergy.

 

[RacerAV]

So I spoke to Synergy today on the spring bow. They said there shouldn't be any. They said the only time they see spring bow is if the caster is wrong.

So I took the Clayton UCA off and measured them again. Then I checked Clayton's instructions, then it all went to hell...

In Clayton's instructions it shows how to measure them. So I measured and set them like that. Well of coarse I couldn't get all the bolt holes to line up, I struggled for 2 hours. Them I called Clayton back again. To clarify how to measure. They said just go from center to center of the bushings, so I did that. Again I couldn't get all the holes to line up, so I took them off again.

That is when I realized that center yo center of the bushings holes are different on each side because of the bend.... So I called Clayton back again to clarify. When I asked again about measuring point, they said as long as it is with .5 to .75 of what is on their chart it is fine...

They also said just set the driver's side length and adjust the passenger side control are so the holes line up, does that sound right?

So I set everything, springs still bow... I had no bow with the Clayton springs. Today kicked my ass!

Damn, rough day indeed... the bow would make sense with improper caster though... I agree.

 

[dayusmc]

I did get a lot of conflicting information from Clayton. But that was because the person I was speaking to (nice guy) was not a texh and couldn't answer my questions, he would just go in the back and ask someone.

What I found is there are multiple different ways to measure the upper control arms because of the bend in them. If you measure eye to eye on one side you get a different measurement than the other side.

Clayton has a diagram in there length chart. That was what I used last time, this time I straight eye to eye, but rhat is definitely wrong.

 

[JT57]

By the way, if anyone lives near me (Brick NJ) and is looking to put Clayton springs in their truck, if you come get them they are yours (no cost).

I live in Point Pleasant Beach, but in Florida right now ,I will be in town at the end of the month.

 

[dayusmc]

I live in Point Pleasant Beach, but in Florida right now ,I will be in town at the end of the month.

Do you want them? I will save them for you.

 

[JT57]

By the way, if anyone lives near me (Brick NJ) and is looking to put Clayton springs in their truck, if you come get them they are yours (no cost).

I live in ppb but in Florida right now to the end of the month. Can you put them to the side for me?

 

[JT57]

Do you want them? I will save them for you.

Yes

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