Vibrating front wheels

[bradleyfutter]

So I've been told it looks like my caster angle could be the cause as everything else checks out.

Anyone know where i can source a Adjustable Caster Kit i believe its called? I seems heaps of places in the US do them, but would much rather pick one up ASAP locally.

[Steve F]

Hmmm, looks like the TJ cant have the control arms shimmed like the XJ, call Wooders (Dave) and speak to him about the caster kit or the other option adjustable lower control arms. Details are on his site at http://www.wooders.com.au The adjustable lower control arms might be a better option if you can afford them as they have a much great range than a cam bolt and also replace the stock, weak, control arms. I guess it depends on budget and intended use though.

Cheers
Steve

[bradleyfutter]

Yeah ive tried to call wooders already but not answer, sent them an email to so will wait for a reply.

Id rather spend 60 now and see if that fixes it, then spend 1000 to find out it doesnt... So for now ill try chase a cam bolt.

but interestingly just spoke to another place 4x4 place in sydney area that recons it definitely wont be the caster angler he says fit steering damper, which ive been told by the place that fitted mine to not do because it will just mask the problem.

now im concerned as i have a couple different places giving me conflicting stories !!!

[Steve F]

Yep, steering dampner will just mask it, may fix it but it wont be permanent. If the existing one is leaking or has leaked it's worth replacing it but it isn't a solution to the problem rather a bandaid.

Cheers
Steve

[bradleyfutter]

well i dont have one in the first place, so dont need to worry about a leaking one :P

Most have said check caster angle, and now one is saying caster angle will have nothing to do with it?

whats the general consensus for the shimmy and caster angle? could it be a cause, or is it bullsh!t?

[bradleyfutter]

Well ignore my above comment :P turns out they all have steering dampner... just didnt see it because its not a big obvious one :P

Thanks to Dave from Wooders for all his help under the car on thursday. Turns out the front panhard bushes are shot so got a replacement adjustable panhard bar from him now just got to install.

Was after some help any tips, suggestions, things to look for etc would be greatly appreciated !!

is it as simple as just setting it to the same length as the stock one, if not a tiny bit longer (apparently its a little short on the drivers side?) and stick it on

do i need wheel alignment to be done again as its effectively changing the steering of the car?

Will stick it on this evening and hope it goes well :P

[Bruce Kerney]

Brad,
Have Steve T or one of the knowledgable guys explain what happens when a suspension is lifted , even marginally say 2 inches, ask about neoprene bushes V's Rubber, get one of them or Wooders to slide under your truck and without getting too carried away have a quick look and understand how it works .... When I lifted my truck , I was lucky enough to have it explained to me, all the different linkages and bars that hold the axle and gear in place. There is a diagonal arm or linkage that when the vehicle is raised works like a pivot point and the axle naturally has to move slightly to one side so a very small adjustment can be made but a lot don't bother, hardly noticable, I didn't change mine.
Why didn't the shop check the bushes when they did the lift??/

[Steve F]

To get the panhard right take the old one out and then bounce the front of the jeep around a bit, this should get the front suspension settled in its natural position which should have the wheels in the right spot. You can also run a string line down each guard (make sure you're on flat ground) and measure the gap from string to wheel and make sure it is the same on both sides, turning the steering whell will help more the body around if you need to. Once that is all right just adjusted the panhard so it fits in without pulling the axle in either direction. If you have to really fight to get it in then it is too long or too short.

Allow some time to fit the panhard as sometimes the ball joint can be very hard to get out of the frame side mount, it's a tapered fit so can get really jammed in there. I've never been able to get mine out without taking the bracket off the frame but the TJ one is not bolted on like the XJ so you wont have that luxury, be prepared to go get a balljoint puller or spend sometime battling.

Anyway, I'd still be checking caster after all this regardless. My Jeep has had the caster adjusted with every lift and it's gone from stock to 2" to 3.5" to 5" and each time I've adjusted the caster and panhard and it drives nicely (although at the moment it needs a new hub and uni fitted). When I went from 3.5 - 5 without adjusting the caster it was almost undrivable when it hit a bump in the road, after setting up right it's fine.

Cheers
Steve

[bradleyfutter]

Thanks for the info Steve, but so your saying i might still need to adjust the caster anyway?? disaster was really hoping to avoid that just due to cost cause thats another easy $500+ ontop of the now $1700 ive already spent for a supposed easy 2" lift !!

[Steve F]

Hopefully you wont but I wouldn't completley rule it out, at 2" you should be pretty safe it just seems that if nothing else has changed other than the lift and along with that caster it seems like it could be the culprit especially since I think you said it got better as the lift was reduced. But hey, the angle of the panhard would also have changed and that will get closer to stock as you came back down so maybe the fact that the bushes are worn is enough to do it as the balljoint will be on a greater angle and with the axle off centre now more load as well. Anyway, if the panhard is know to be worn it's a good place to start and a worthwhile upgrade with any lift.

Cheers
Steve