12:46 am
May 4, 2004
Offline
Has anyone paid much attention to whether or not their front & rear axles are parallel? Or in other words, your wheelbase is the same on both sides of the vehicle? I just got the latest JP magazine and they have a few tips on living with automatic lockers. One of the things they say to be careful about is making sure the axles are parallel. Mine seem to be off about 1/4" with a wheelbase of 93" on one side and 93 1/4" on the other. I'm wondering if that's enough to worry about or if 1/4" is negligible.
1:28 am
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline I wouldn't think 1/4" would make a huge difference. But, I guess you could spend the two hours it would take to pull the front and rear together 1/8" 😈
I used to wheel a lot. . .
2:25 am
I can't imagine it would make a huge difference. Do you see any tire wear problems?
3:00 am
February 5, 2003
Offline I think you need to find out if the rear is off or the front or both. a good 4 wheel alignment will show this.
If the rear is off your thrust angle is off and that will push the jeep in weird ways.
Closed Mondays.
3:34 am
May 4, 2004
Offline "Bender" wrote: I can't imagine it would make a huge difference. Do you see any tire wear problems?
I don't see any tire wear issues, but haven't put that many miles on them.
3:44 am
May 4, 2004
Offline "Dan-H" wrote: I think you need to find out if the rear is off or the front or both. a good 4 wheel alignment will show this.
If the rear is off your thrust angle is off and that will push the jeep in weird ways.
Earlier in quest to overcome the Detroit locker quirks I suspected my rear axle may be out of alignment. I found a center point on the undercarriage and measured from where the backing plates contact the rear axle tubes and the measurements were the same as far as I could with a tape measure. I suspected the rear would be off because the control arms on one side are shorter than the other, coincidently by about 1/4". Considering the measurements I took I suspect the difference is because of the custom axle I had built may not have the brackets welded in all the right places.
Thrust angle would have a lot to do with the handling, but I suspect it's something else. I've had this rear axle for quite a while and my issues started with my upgrades surrounding the 35" tires a couple years ago, including a new front axle, 4.5" springs, RE1610 trackbar w/RE1611 bracket, heavy rear bumper & tire carrier. When I installed the new front axle I didn't make any control arm length adjustments so I'd bet my front axle to be the primary cause of the wheelbase difference.
It may just be time to take it to the pro's for a good alignment.
3:49 am
February 5, 2003
Offline I think EDH Big O shop will check it for no cost.
Closed Mondays.
3:53 am
May 4, 2004
Offline "Dan-H" wrote: I think EDH Big O shop will check it for no cost.
I happened to win an alignment coupon from them too. I know, I should just take it in! 😈
2:01 pm
"JohnDF" wrote: I wouldn't think 1/4" would make a huge difference. But, I guess you could spend the two hours it would take to pull the front and rear together 1/8" 😈
:hijack:
That Saturday math class finally paid off. 😈
Ok back to the regularly scheduled program. 😀
2:18 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline I'm back in class this weekend 😡
I used to wheel a lot. . .
9:44 pm
i have bad rear steer and wanted to check if my tires were lined up. i put a string all the way around and found that the left rear is facing in almost a 1/2".
the spring is shorter by at least a 1/4" from the center pin to the front of the spring. the tire is almost a 1/2" closer to the front tire on the drivers side. that would explain the jeep pulling right when im on the gas and left when i let off.
i already addressed the bump steer in the front.so i dont think thats it.
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