Issue after new lift install, Help plz.

[BlackKnight]

Hey guys,
Well, I just got back from the Alignment, She got her new parts in and She is TALL! I literally fell out when I got her home because the ground was not where it used to be...

The Old:
2.5" JK lift in the JKU (likely a 2" with the extra weight)
a 2" from leveling kit (which meant the rear was a 2" lift, the front was a 4".
Before

https://imgur.com/KZ6SpXJ

The New:
JKS Adjustable track bars Front and Rear
EVO 4" Plushride Springs
EVO Drag Link Flip Kit (With Trackbar Relocation Bracketry)
FOX 2.0 Remote Reservoir Shocks all around
FOX 2.0 Steering Stabilizer (Relocation Bolt and Clamp come in this week to bring it above the track bar (You'll see in the last pic the OEM location))
Metalcloak front shock relocation (to move the bottom links out 2" to help with Reservoir location.
Metalcloak Bumpstops Front and Rear (Progressive compression)
Rough Country and Rubicon Express Bumpstop Extensions
Teraflex Rear Swaybar Links
Teraflex 1.25" Body lift
Teraflex Brakeline and Wheelsensor line Flex Brackets

Some UPS Porn to Start :dance:

https://imgur.com/hCw6HdO

Here are some of the Final pics.

https://imgur.com/eNkHRbB

https://imgur.com/1jxSSk3

Next up is into the shop likely next month or so for a Heater core replacement, New Radiator, and switching to Evans Waterless Coolant.
(Mishimoto Radiator, Thermostat and Hose Kit, New aluminum overflow Bottle, New Heater Core, Should come to about $2k )

In the Relative Future (Next Spring or So?)... Gotta Find either some Rubicon Pull-outs for Axles or go with a brand new housing and build it out for the front. Eventually want to put on 37-38"s (maybe even 40"s) and thinking the Dana 30 front will not like them at all...

Now for the Issue...
Everything has been re-torqued to spec at ride height... But driving down the road, the steering wheel has a new significant amount of play, and driving in a straight line requires flopping back and forth 1/4 turn on the steering wheel.
When it first happened I thought that the Tow must be out, and the wheels are fighting for which one has control of the line. but checked and had the Alignment shop re-check and that is not the case. The front was at ~4" lift before I pulled the old lift and went with the EVO plush rides. Still driving it feels "Floaty".
Does anyone have any ideas? has it happened to you?

 

[CalSgt]

Did they need to extend the steering shaft down to the box for the body lift? Is it tight?

Have someone jerk the wheel back and forth and check every component for excess movement, from the steering column shaft down to the TRE's and knuckles.

 

[BlackKnight]

I'll give that a try. My first thought was the steering box. I put in an EVO Drag Link Flip. so thought the Angle may be putting more stress on the mounting point for it. (Considering getting one of the reinforcement brackets that mount to the upper Track bar bracket and lock onto the pinion nut (Synergy I believe makes a good one).

 

[WJCO]

If you went with a 4 inch lift without correcting your caster angle, that is likely the issue.

 

[BlackKnight]

If you went with a 4 inch lift without correcting your caster angle, that is likely the issue.

How do you change Castor/Camber on a solid axle? that would just be rotating the pinion angle, wouldn't it?

Also, it technically had a 4" lift in the front previously, now with all new gear and only suspension for 4", not block and spring. The only other change in height is a 1.25" body lift which should not change the geometry, maybe only the steering linkages. Before I could drive down the road with no hands and it would track perfectly straight and no "float". so gotta be something in the new setup.

 

[BlackKnight]

Issue Found (Thanks for the Idea Cal). Turns out the guy I had helping me with the install (Local Mechanic I was using his lift, he wanted to help with the installs, not a Jeep guy, but wanted to expand into that business).
He did the drill out of the steering knuckle, but never put the sleeve in for the Drag Link Flip kit. I had my wife turn back and forth and could see the ball joint on the flip kit moving back and forth...
Heading now to the shop to look for the sleeve, and put it in. Should clean it up right off...

 

[BlackKnight]

Searched the Shop, and the Sleeve is missing. Have an email out to EVO to see if they can send the replacement. Took a look at the box and there is a tear on the side. thinking it may be rolling around in the back of a UPS somewhere

 

[CalSgt]

Good thing it's not a JL... I'm sure the aluminum steering knuckles on the JL would have been destroyed after driving with a loose fitting TRE

ETA: Any mechanic (beyond the level of Lube Tech) should have been aware almost all TRE's are tapered and nearly press fit. Its a miracle he was able to get the nut tight without the tapered TRE shank being tight in the knuckle.

I do understand that things get missed or looked over but that is a big one.