Recommended / best way to measure axle to frame alignment?

[Pliny]

I installed the Mopar 2" lift on our JTR along with the Clayton front and rear adjustable track bars. Based on things I had read in this forum, as a starting point I set the front track bar at 3/4" longer than stock, and the rear at 5/16" longer than stock.

Is there a recommended way to measure the axle to frame alignment so that I can get the axles centered under the frame at normal ride height?

I suspect that if I just randomly pick places to measure I'll end up with three sets of answers, track bars are too long, too short, and just right.

Sponsored

 

[Rusty PW]

The way I did mine. I used a 4ft level held straight up and down against the tire. Have the steering wheel straight ahead. Place the level at the center of the tire. If you have stock rims and tires. Your tires will be under the fender. The level should be touching the fender and the bottom of the tire sidewall. Measure off the level to the top of the tire sidewall. Should have a gap there. Now measure the other side. If your measurements are the same. You're good. If not. Split the difference for adjustment. Now if your tires stick out from the fenders. The level should be touching the tire at both top and bottom sidewall. Measure from the level to the fender on both side sides. If the measurement is the same. you're good. If different. Split the difference for adjustment.

 

[Gizmo]

I do very similar to Rusty but I just plumb the level being snug to the lower sidewall where the tire has a slight bulge. Then measure to fender flair from level holding level plumb. Adjust track bar to make each side equal . Make sure both tires have equal amount of air that you are using and jeep is close to level left to right .

 

[Whiteoak323]

I recently installed a steering smarts sector shaft brace and front trackbar. I measured from the side of the frame under the top shock mount. Then I knew to match the spot on each side. Then I measured to the center of the tire with the wheels straight. This was assisted by the fact my tires have a line at the base of the tread perfectly in the center. Just try and use the same spot on each side and make your adjustments. I stopped when I felt I was about 1/16ish off side to side.

Good Luck!

 

[kevman65]

level off the tire, measure to fender flare, repeat opposite side.
Get it close.
Don't worry about perfect, as you drive it all changes anyway.

 

[Pliny]

Got the axles centered yesterday and using the level as suggested worked well.

My initial try of front at +3/4" and rear at +5/16" longer than stock for the track bars was not that close. Just by looking at the truck could see that both axles weren't centered. Had to shorten both front and rear.

Ended up with front between 1/4" and 5/16" longer than stock, and rear only between 1/8" and 3/16" longer. Our JTR has a winch, so that weight might play into the length of the front track bar.

Sponsored