Control arm length with geo brackets

[Rusty PW]

Looking for what the length of the front adjustable control arms should be with Teraflex geo brackets and with a 4" lift. I've searched and found no answers.

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[Gizmo]

What I did was measure the angle of the front diff with a digital angle finder as a reference before I added the drop brackets . Knowing the caster was 5.4 and 5.6 initially which read 88.8 on the angle finder at the diff cover bolts or the machined spreader holes on either side of the cover . After adding the drop and removing the extended lowers and installing the OE arms was an increase of .9 degrees so I ended up with 6.3 and 6.5 degrees positive caster. I used Rancho brackets but thats irrelevant .. This only works naturally if you have documented your previous changes so you know where you are at before your next mod .

 

[Rusty PW]

I e-mailed Teraflex and this is the reply I got back.

The front adjustable control arms can be adjusted to the stock control arm length, when using drop brackets. But you will want to get an alignment after you install them. When you do, have the tech adjust the front control arms to around 6 degrees of positive caster. This is the sweet spot for having a good, confident steering feel.

 

[chorky]

I e-mailed Teraflex and this is the reply I got back.

The front adjustable control arms can be adjusted to the stock control arm length, when using drop brackets. But you will want to get an alignment after you install them. When you do, have the tech adjust the front control arms to around 6 degrees of positive caster. This is the sweet spot for having a good, confident steering feel.

How much drop does their drop brackets move the mounting location - compared to AEV? You could probably get away with stock length. I have no issues on mine. A little more wouldn't hurt though.

 

[Rusty PW]

How much drop does their drop brackets move the mounting location - compared to AEV? You could probably get away with stock length. I have no issues on mine. A little more wouldn't hurt though.

This what it says on their website.
" These TeraFlex JL / JT: Front Control Arm Sport Frame Brackets are a must to correct caster angles and restore factory geometry on JL Wrangler/Unlimited models with 2.5-4.5" lift kits and JT Gladiator models with 3.5-4.5" lift kits. "

 

[chorky]

I missed the part about yours having a 4" lift. Oops...

 

[WILDHOBO]

I e-mailed Teraflex and this is the reply I got back.

The front adjustable control arms can be adjusted to the stock control arm length, when using drop brackets. But you will want to get an alignment after you install them. When you do, have the tech adjust the front control arms to around 6 degrees of positive caster. This is the sweet spot for having a good, confident steering feel.

I’m confused at why you’d want adjustable control arms and geometry correction brackets. Adjustable control arms allow you to correct the geometry by changing their lengths. The geometry brackets allow you to keep stock length arms.

 

[Rusty PW]

I’m confused at why you’d want adjustable control arms and geometry correction brackets. Adjustable control arms allow you to correct the geometry by changing their lengths. The geometry brackets allow you to keep stock length arms.

I wanted the Johnny joints for flex.

 

[Mays9185]

if your using geometry brackets they need to be same length as stock. You use the holes to adjust caster.

 

[Mays9185]

I’m confused at why you’d want adjustable control arms and geometry correction brackets. Adjustable control arms allow you to correct the geometry by changing their lengths. The geometry brackets allow you to keep stock length arms.

I run adjustable control arms because of the strength compared to oem

 

[Rusty PW]

if your using geometry brackets they need to be same length as stock. You use the holes to adjust caster.

No holes to adjust caster. Just one hole for each arm.

 

[Mays9185]

My rancho are adjustable, here is charts to run adjustable without the brackets

 

[chorky]

I wanted the Johnny joints for flex.

I put those on my TJ 10 years ago. I hate them. They do flex good no doubt. And are rebuildable if you can find a place or do it yourself. But I dont do hard core trails - if I did I might be apt to keep them, as of now I would pay to get them taken off...

Just make sure when tightening the jam nut you keep the holes of the Johnny joint perpendicular to the vehicle - so following the same line as the axle. The shop that did mine years ago did not do that at first and the jam nuts loosened up because of twisting forces.

 

[Zachanadandy]

I’m confused at why you’d want adjustable control arms and geometry correction brackets. Adjustable control arms allow you to correct the geometry by changing their lengths. The geometry brackets allow you to keep stock length arms.

Adjustable arms allow you to adjust caster but do nothing to correct the geometry. With 4" of lift you'll have good caster and bad control arm angles. Better than bad caster AND bad control arm angles, but still not as good as having both good. We run Adjustable lowers with drop brackets as I prefer closer to 7⁰of caster.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

if your using geometry brackets they need to be same length as stock. You use the holes to adjust caster.

If you have brackets with multiple holes and you have adjustable arms, you can use either to adjust caster. The arms definitely don’t need to be same length as stock.

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