At what height do I consider a control arm drop bracket?

[Alpine Warthog]

At what lift height do I need to consider a control arm drop bracket?

Running a Skyjacker 2.5"/1" leveling lift (all springs and new shocks) I'm getting the occasional mild wobble at 50-55 mph. It's only hit scary level once and it's been on the truck a year now. It gets more prominent any time the weather gets under 50 degrees. The alignment tech at the dealership says the alignment is "within limits" and suggested I get a stiffer steering dampener. (One came with the lift)

My suspicion is that I need to press the tech and have him adjust the toe anyway or install the Evo manufacturing drop brackets that I picked up second hand. But at only 2.5" up front, I'm not sure I lifted it enough to need the brackets.

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[whysoserious]

EVO includes those brackets in their 2.5" Stage 1 Overland for both gas and oil. Should be fine. AEV & Metal Cloak also run their Geo brackets as low as 2.5".

2.5 inch GAS Jeep Gladiator JT LIFT KIT ENFORCER SUSPENSION SYSTEMS | EVO Manufacturing (evomfg.com)
Metalcloak | JL Wrangler Geometry Correction Bracket
AEV JT 2.5" DualSport RT Suspension | Jeep Gladiator Lift Kit (aev-conversions.com)

 

[arosen1997]

At what lift height do I need to consider a control arm drop bracket?

Running a Skyjacker 2.5"/1" leveling lift (all springs and new shocks) I'm getting the occasional mild wobble at 50-55 mph. It's only hit scary level once and it's been on the truck a year now. It gets more prominent any time the weather gets under 50 degrees. The alignment tech at the dealership says the alignment is "within limits" and suggested I get a stiffer steering dampener. (One came with the lift)

My suspicion is that I need to press the tech and have him adjust the toe anyway or install the Evo manufacturing drop brackets that I picked up second hand. But at only 2.5" up front, I'm not sure I lifted it enough to need the brackets.

If you have wobble I would check the torque on your suspension bolts. Replacing a steering stabilizer is almost always a bandaid and not the proper fix from what I've seen in 5 years on this forum.

 

[Alpine Warthog]

If you have wobble I would check the torque on your suspension bolts. Replacing a steering stabilizer is almost always a bandaid and not the proper fix from what I've seen in 5 years on this forum.

I probably should. The lift when in without having to loosen any of the control arms. Just had to disconnect the shocks and brake line holders. The suspension drooped just enough to get em in.

I'm going to add a spacer in the back in the coming weeks since I don't like the squat I've got now when the camper shell is on. so I guess that will be a good time to do it.

 

[Steven_B]

I personally would run them on 2.5" and above. I have the AEV brackets (https://trailrecon.com/products/aev-stamped-geometry-correction-brackets) on my diesel and just installed the JK versions on my sister's JK which made a big improvement.

 

[TheSolarWizard]

the proper time for drop brackets is never
Its a low clearance bandaid.

Theres lots of things that can cause wobble but the lack of drop brackets is not one of them

 

[Zachanadandy]

the proper time for drop brackets is never
Its a low clearance bandaid.

Theres lots of things that can cause wobble but the lack of drop brackets is not one of them

Bad caster and very steep control arm angles can both cause a wobble and both can be solved with drop brackets. I guarantee drop brackets will ride better than any lift without them short of full long arms when you get into the 3.5"+ range. The clearance issue is not a problem even running trails like John Bull and Pritchett canyon. The brackets have never so much as scraped a rock, let alone caused a hang up. Even if you've spent $3k+ on a kit with 8 adjustable arms and another $2500+ on high end shocks, your Jeep would ride better with flatter arms period.

 

[Cburd61]

I’d check tire pressure first. I find running my pressure at 38lbs eliminated any wobble I had.

 

[Alpine Warthog]

I’d check tire pressure first. I find running my pressure at 38lbs eliminated any wobble I had.

That's interesting. I've been lowering mine (running 33) and it's seen improvment. Others' have said to go to 30 because our trucks aren't heavy enough to rate a regular 35 pounds

 

[RodRecket]

That's interesting. I've been lowering mine (running 33) and it's seen improvment. Others' have said to go to 30 because our trucks aren't heavy enough to rate a regular 35 pounds

Tire pressure will vary based on wheel/tire size. With 35" tires (assuming a 17" wheel) 33lbs is probably a good pressure. You could still experiment though, try a chalk test, etc.

 

[RodRecket]

As said above quite a few kits come with drop brackets @ 2.5". They do help with geometry and can affect how the jeep rides and goes over bumps. You do loose some ground clearance, but I've only ever gotten hung up because of them once (they do get beat on regularly). If you are just starting to experience wobble with a combo you didn't experience any wobble before, I would start with torqueing everything first, checking your steering and ball joint play, and then if you want an improvement in ride I'd encourage the brackets.

 

[Alpine Warthog]

Everything seems tight still. 50k miles mostly highway and I haven't loosened anything other than sway bar links. But I'm also going to upgrade the trackbar and tighten everything down. Since I want to make the navigator happy, I'll probably install the drop brackets since they are sitting in my garage

 

[djthumper]

I added the lower control arms when I put in my SkyJacker lift. Due to my military discount, I chose the lift and components to match the MOPAR lift and could come in at a much lower cost.

 

[mgw750]

I have drop brackets on mine with 2.5 inch lift and 1 inch spacers. I like them. When you lift your truck you should have loosened those control arms so the bushings are not in a bind. I also had a slight wobble in my truck. Got under there and checked the torque on everything, you might be surprised by what you find. Mine hasn't wobbled again in over 30000 miles.

 

[jav_eee]

Well AEV says this:

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