Help with these alignment specs...

[johnh442]

Cross posting from here: https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/2021-mojave-alignment-issue.47728/ (sorry in advance if that's against the rules).

Would like some help interpreting the effects here of 1. LF Camber out of spec (0.6 vs. 0.5 limit) and 2. Too much cross camber -0.8 spec is -0.5 max.

Dealer is saying they want to replace the front axle, as camber is fixed/set by the physical characteristics of the axle welds. Which I think to be the case.

Is replacing the axle that big of a deal? Meaning I have a new Jeep, and given that many replace stock axles (even saw a vid of a guy doing it in his garage on jack stands...) it sucks, but they are going to do it on Jeep's dime (assuming Jeep agrees with the fix--as they have a case open with Jeep).

Is it possible for those values to change as this think "breaks in" (its got 1300 miles)? To me 0.1 of a degree isn't much

Thoughts?

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[smlobx]

It it’s out of spec, it’s out of spec, and if Jeep is willing to step up and replace the axle then you should take them up on the offer.

 

[johnh442]

Thanks, kind of PITA, but otherwise there'd be more problems down the road (like tire wear etc.) and when I get around to modding it years from now, it needs to be correct stock first.

 

[Chance575]

That minor camber difference isn’t going to wear the tires out. I run a few degrees negative on the street on my corvette and you don’t even want to see the amount on my Miata

 

[Mac]

If the reason you brought it in was steering wander, camber will not have much impact on that, I think the low caster is the problem, it is also fixed like the camber but you can add some Mopar lower control arms from the 2” lift, they are cheap and easy to install. They should bring your caster to around 6. IMO I would not want the dealer replacing the axle, too many possibilities of messing something up.

 

[johnh442]

4.5* caster too low for stock Mojave? (33)
I'm still waiting on the dealer to hear back from Jeep on what do to exactly, but that was my concern is they replace the axle and still more issues--I don't them just throwing parts at it.

The steering wander isn't too bad at all, more of it was the steering wheel being off center...on a flat stretch of highway its not too bad, it generally tracks straight, I can take hands off and it will track mostly straight for 1/4 mile easy (usually until wind / road causes some drift). On bad roads it sucks .. but that's IMO the nature of the Jeep and likely Mud Tires -- its gonna follow the ruts/bumps.

If that low out of spec isn't going to cause huge tire wear, then the debate is does all the messing with it possibly become a can of worms.
Might be easier to just to the LCAs, and maybe an aftermarket steering stabilizer..

 

[Mac]

4.5 is pretty low for caster, center the wheel is very simple, takes about 5 minutes to do yourself.

 

[johnh442]

Got it, and what's the effect if I move to larger 35/37 tires?

I am getting more tempted to do the LCAs (If they are the right ones they are like $30 for the mopar ones -- dealer probably wouldn't even notice them), and take a run at centering them myself. Would I need it re-aligned after doing the LCAs? Don't think so as there isn't anything adjustable..

I do most of my own wrenching on the basics so shouldn't be too difficult. I've done struts and spark plugs on 4th F-Body this all seems much simpler...

 

[Mac]

Got it, and what's the effect if I move to larger 35/37 tires?

I am getting more tempted to do the LCAs (If they are the right ones they are like $30 for the mopar ones -- dealer probably wouldn't even notice them), and take a run at centering them myself. Would I need it re-aligned after doing the LCAs? Don't think so as there isn't anything adjustable..

I do most of my own wrenching on the basics so shouldn't be too difficult. I've done struts and spark plugs on 4th F-Body this all seems much simpler...

Nope no alignment needed, as you said there is nothing adjustable, you can change them without even jacking the Jeep up or taking off the wheels, just one side at a time. I doubt dealer would notice either, they look identical to the stock ones just a little longer.

 

[Sekgunnut]

Got it, and what's the effect if I move to larger 35/37 tires?

I am getting more tempted to do the LCAs (If they are the right ones they are like $30 for the mopar ones -- dealer probably wouldn't even notice them), and take a run at centering them myself. Would I need it re-aligned after doing the LCAs? Don't think so as there isn't anything adjustable..

I do most of my own wrenching on the basics so shouldn't be too difficult. I've done struts and spark plugs on 4th F-Body this all seems much simpler...

I simply changed out my stock MT on my Mojave to 315/70/17 mid tires and it now has a noticeable pull to the right. I swapped tires around to eliminate that and it’s not the issue. Not sure what it changed but it most definitely gave me a pull to the right.

 

[johnh442]

So I did a bit of road testing again on flat road. It tracks pretty straight until either bumps or curves...for a good 10-12s at 70mph...which IMO pretty good. Hard to find good roads here in Michigan...

I did do the steering stablizer prime, which was basically turn the steering wheel lock to lock in a about 1 sec five times (and I did the whole thing twice about 40 miles apart). I swear this took most of the "pull" out of the steering...either that or just some "break in" after another couple hundred miles or so...

So now I am even more reluctant to have them replace the axle...who knows if the next one will be worse.. I will likely have them road test (preferably with me) and put it on the alignment machine again (I wonder if they fixed the toe from the above) and see. I know its fixed, but who knows, shouldn't hurt to double check.

Really now the biggest "complaint" is steering is a bit looser than what I'd like, so either Mopar Lift LCAs, or an improved (Fox/Falcon) Steering Stablizer would seem to be good choice. The LCA's are fairly inexpensive at $60, and the +2* caster might help...if not it easy to put the other ones back on.
And the Steering Stabilizer would from what I've read firm up the steering response a bit, and reduce the road induced wander. (Plus wtih the Mojave, seems like that shock should be a Fox shock anyway to match the others).

 

[LostWoods]

They won't replace the axle over measurements alone, there needs to be a symptom where the axle is the issue. Neither side is out enough to cause tire wear or problems on its own and the cross isn't likely enough to cause a pull. If your truck tracks right you might have a case if they can verify it but I'm skeptical.

If you feel like there's issues down the road, there's probably adjustable ball joint options out there (or there will be when the market catches up) that will give you just enough camber/caster adjustment to fix that problem.

As for the stabilizer, it's a good way to firm up feel and reduce road feedback if that's what you're looking for.

 

[bleda2002]

I'd go with the mopar arms for the increased caster axle change or not. Going from 4.5 to around 6 on my rubicon made a huge difference for me. The increased caster reduces wander and increases turn in effort as well.

Do you have a big deadspot, or do you just wish the steering was heavier? If you wish it was heavier then a new steering stabilizer will help, especially something adjustable like the ATS (get the JK one for a 1 5/8 tie rod, else you'll spend 100 bucks to relocate it after the fact). if its a dead spot you can try the steer smarts sector shaft brace but it probably wont do much as that could be gear box related.

At the end of the day these recirculating balls will always be more guess and check than rack and pinion, but it should still track straight and not have too big of a dead spot.

 

[Mac]

I put on the Mopar LCAs and a Fox TS stabilizer, definitely helped the steering feel, I have some heavy front take off springs and Daystar 1.5” spacers and spring perches.

 

[johnh442]

"Do you have a big deadspot, or do you just wish the steering was heavier?"
Its a little deadspot, which isn't so bad, but I think a little heavier would help with overcorrect. My biggest complaint of steering wheel off/pull to the right seems to have gone away..I even checked the centering in the garage and seemed pretty straight.

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