Getting a 2023 alignment, or not..

[Darkspeed]

Having immediately replaced my steering with rpm/ steer smarts I tried to get a computer alignment.. everyone says they can’t touch it because 2023 specs are not in their computers yet..

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[Darkspeed]

I have a home alignment plate kit , I just wanted something more accurate

does jeep delay this info so you have to go to a dealer?

 

[Darkspeed]

And what should I set the toe angle to?

 

[mrmo]

Use '22 settings, the same

 

[@californiajeeping]

Take your old tie rod and drag link. Make the new one the exact same lenght eye to eye. Bolt it on and drive. If you feel it wandering adjust caster if still not resolved then adjust your toe by feel. If the wheel is off then adjust the drag link.

Computer fancy measurements are great but not designed for your exact specified setup with tires lift etc. Going by feel is a great way to dial it in for the best driving exp.

 

[ChrisNLA]

That shop isn't very good at problem solving, are they. They have been building Gladiators since 2020 model year. The numbers are out there, lol.

Set tie rod to the same length as the stock assembly. Alternatively, measure across the back side of the tires and the front side of the tires. Set it so the measurement on the front is an 1/8" in from the back. Start there.

Turn adjuster on the drag link as necessary to set the steering wheel straight.

Honestly if you own a tape measure and an angle finder (for setting caster, if you had adjustable control arms) there is no reason to ever take a Jeep to get an alignment.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

Having immediately replaced my steering with rpm/ steer smarts I tried to get a computer alignment.. everyone says they can’t touch it because 2023 specs are not in their computers yet..

What would you want a shop to adjust? It sounds like you already have all you need to adjust the toe... IIRC it is between 1/8 and 1/4 inch at the same radius as your tires. (assume a true measure of a 35" tire... measure out 17.5" from center of hub, and do you toe measurements there) Once toe is set, make sure steering wheel is centered.

On a STOCK JT the only thing that can be adjusted (as with almost all solid axle vehicles) is the toe. Caster would require "correction brackets" or adjustable control arms. Axle tracking and squareness to frame would require adjustable control arms, and adjustable track bars.

 

[Darkspeed]

Toe and track bars. I got the toe and track within 1/16. I just like the printout to doublecheck me.

 

[AstroZombie]

Toe and track bars. I got the toe and track within 1/16. I just like the printout to doublecheck me.

Ctril+p

 

[Darkspeed]

 

[Darkspeed]

OMG I just had one of those mind numbing experiences at "Tire Kingdom" in florida. 9am appointment and left there 5 hours later with an incorrect alignment.

First time they brought it around and said they were done, the jam nuts were spinning free
Second time the stabilizer was totally loose
Third time I waked into the bay and the guy showed me a sheet with 0.01 toe in and said it was a mystery why when he set it to 0.19 but tightened everything it went to went to 0.01. I asked him if he used a backup wrench or just cranked on the jam nut and he looked at me like he didnt understand.
At that point the manager admitted that that guy was his son in law and was not qualified to do an alignment.
Then the assistant manager said they had a very good mechanic but he was off today and to come back in two days.

 

[Darkspeed]

what is the ideal toe in 0.20 total??

 

[STORY]

That's actually an excellent question to put to everyone who has had an alignment. That and how does it drive with their current toe number-
Mine was .41 degree total toe before the steering gear replacement, (.18 left &.23 right) it had that wandering thing going on, not horrible but enough that you stay alert at all speeds!
They aligned front end after doing the TSB steering gear thing , Now its .10 degree total (.03 left & .07 right) drives a little better but still has some wandering. The Tech is not happy or satisfied either so says drive it for a few days & bring it back..
What degree of toe is working best ??

 

[Idlethunder]

That's actually an excellent question to put to everyone who has had an alignment. That and how does it drive with their current toe number-
Mine was .41 degree total toe before the steering gear replacement, (.18 left &.23 right) it had that wandering thing going on, not horrible but enough that you stay alert at all speeds!
They aligned front end after doing the TSB steering gear thing , Now its .10 degree total (.03 left & .07 right) drives a little better but still has some wandering. The Tech is not happy or satisfied either so says drive it for a few days & bring it back..
What degree of toe is working best ??

Attached is a copy of the alignment done on my 22 Rubicon yesterday. The tires are standard 33” Falken A/Ts and the suspension is also stock except that I've installed a set of the longer lower control arms that come with the Mopar 2” lift kit. The Jeep drives very well and doesn’t wander at all. Both my caster and toe are higher than spec, but my tires are wearing well with a little over 12k miles on them since going to the longer LCAs. I do get blown around a little at highway speeds in a stout wind but not much more than my F150 did.

 

[ICE4EVER]

I did my first garage alignment this weekend using the Steering Smart plates (yes I know there are cheaper options). I set it with 1/8 (.25 degree) toe in. Please help me understand the comments above regarding left and right values. How can you have left and right?

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