Caster Settings - JKUR

TrailHunter

TrailHunter

Hooked
So I have checked my Caster with both a digital level and an analog Angle finder.... both are reading about 4.8 - 5*. (I think it's 5*) I measured off the top of the ball joints but that seems harder because any rotation of the angle finder can change the number a little..... I also did it off the large machined holes on the front of the Axle which I trust a little more.

The Jeep seems to track great... no major flighty feeling (just basic 35" mud terrain movement) and the front LCA are set at 22 7/8" exactly per EVO's 3" enforcer instructions... and no vibrations on the 1350 drive shaft. Should I leave it at the 5* or try and drop it to the recommended 4.2*.

I have a local alignment shop that I trust with all my vehicles... they do excellent work... maybe I should take it to them to get a better reading? Or am I just over thinking it?
 
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Higher caster will track better as long as the pinion angle doesn't get to great. If you're not getting any driveline vibration leave it where it is.


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I’d say go for it man. Try adjusting the uppers to get to that 4.2. I have a JKUR with 3.5 inches of lift and after setting my uppers and lowers to the recommended length, the castor was a couple degrees off in the front. The rear pinion was not quite pointing straight at the t case either (I have double cardan front and rear shafts). Anyway, I didn’t have any major problems driving on the highway, but I readjusted the control arms anyway and it rides a little smoother now. Opinion: I feel like every jeep is a little different, try it and if it feels worse, change it back.


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A.J. said:
Higher caster will track better as long as the pinion angle doesn't get to great. If you're not getting any driveline vibration leave it where it is.


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That's what I'm thinking.

mrew2017 said:
I have mine at 8. Rides great. I do have Tom Woods driveshaft, no vibrations


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:shock:

Cousin Clyde said:
I’d say go for it man. Try adjusting the uppers to get to that 4.2. I have a JKUR with 3.5 inches of lift and after setting my uppers and lowers to the recommended length, the castor was a couple degrees off in the front. The rear pinion was not quite pointing straight at the t case either (I have double cardan front and rear shafts). Anyway, I didn’t have any major problems driving on the highway, but I readjusted the control arms anyway and it rides a little smoother now. Opinion: I feel like every jeep is a little different, try it and if it feels worse, change it back.


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Cousin Clyde said:
Also pure opinion: I definitely would not pay a shop to look at that.


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I only have adjustable lowers.... which is fine to change a little.... but I'm almost curious at this point what the readings would be from a shop.
 
Don’t do 4.2*. If you want to mess with it, shoot for 6*, 7* at the most. However, if it’s driving ok, I wouldn’t mess with it. 4.2* on a lifted Jeep is not going to drive well.
 
TrailHunter said:
So I have checked my Caster with both a digital level and an analog Angle finder.... both are reading about 4.8 - 5*. (I think it's 5*) I measured off the top of the ball joints but that seems harder because any rotation of the angle finder can change the number a little..... I also did it off the large machined holes on the front of the Axle which I trust a little more.

The Jeep seems to track great... no major flighty feeling (just basic 35" mud terrain movement) and the front LCA are set at 22 7/8" exactly per EVO's 3" enforcer instructions... and no vibrations on the 1350 drive shaft. Should I leave it at the 5* or try and drop it to the recommended 4.2*.

I have a local alignment shop that I trust with all my vehicles... they do excellent work... maybe I should take it to them to get a better reading? Or am I just over thinking it?
Click to expand...

Unless you've got problems you're trying to address, I think you're over-thinking things.
 
TrailHunter said:
Agreed. I tend to do that sometimes. [emoji51]
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When it comes to my jeep that i love so much i do the same thing. Can't hurt to try and make adjustments to see if it gets better or worse. Change it back if you need to. Also factor in if it is worth your time to make further adjustments if you are satisfied with how the jeep is driving now.
 
SLO said:
Don’t do 4.2*. If you want to mess with it, shoot for 6*, 7* at the most. However, if it’s driving ok, I wouldn’t mess with it. 4.2* on a lifted Jeep is not going to drive well.
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While 6-7 would potentially help it drive and track better it's going to put your drive shaft at a weird angle and probably cause a bunch of bad vibrations (not to be confused with the beach boys good vibrations). Your pinion will be flat, 0 deg, or pointing down, -1 deg. When I installed my lift I was told to shoot for 4.2-5. I got 4.8 (checking off the pinion flange) and have driven it for 7 years and 40k miles. No issues so far and no bad vibrations.

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jesse3638 said:
While 6-7 would potentially help it drive and track better it's going to put your drive shaft at a weird angle and probably cause a bunch of bad vibrations (not to be confused with the beach boys good vibrations). Your pinion will be flat, 0 deg, or pointing down, -1 deg. When I installed my lift I was told to shoot for 4.2-5. I got 4.8 (checking off the pinion flange) and have driven it for 7 years and 40k miles. No issues so far and no bad vibrations.

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So, it depends on lift height but I’m at 6.5° and my pinion angle is definitely not flat.
 
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