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To Those With Rocky Road Yj Conversions.

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by zila, Apr 26, 2019.

  1. Apr 26, 2019
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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    A question. I did the RR YJ conversion about a year and a half ago and just came back from Moab. I had issues when traveling on the pavement with the steering going back and forth. . The crappier the road surface the worse it was. 40 mph or maybe 45 is about max. Dirt was no prob. I am thinking it is swaying more than the old narrow stiff spring set up.. I ordered a steering stabilizer to see if it helps. Anyone else notice this?

    On another note. I can't keep the shock bolts in. I safety wired em, but broke a bolt off. Repaired it and then a front bolt disappeared. The safety wire was torn off.. Next I am going to drill and install an allen set screw.. I am also thinking of cutting down the lower rear shock mount as it doesn't sit straight .
     
  2. Apr 26, 2019
    fesser

    fesser Napa, CA 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Napa, CA
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    I have the kit but it hasn't been on the road so I am no help at all other than to point out the obvious like tie rod ends, steering gear,and other areas where slop develops. I am still worried about the rear shackle angle. I hope I don't have to worry about steering too.
     
  3. Apr 26, 2019
    45es

    45es Active Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Naches, WA
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    To me, this sounds more like a caster angle problem than the need for a steering stabilizer. What is your caster angle setting?
     
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  4. Apr 26, 2019
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    I would start with the caster if all the steering components look tight. We have 6 degree shims in the front of steve's 71 with the RR kit. He can comfortably drive 70 on the freeway....
    It sounds like your shocks are binding side to side or bottoming out. I personally think that the shocks that RR provides are too long. My home built setup has more travel than the RR and I am running 1" shorter stroke front shocks and 2" shorter stroke rear shocks. Maybe pull your shocks off and cycle them by hand to see if they are damaged internally.
     
  5. Apr 26, 2019
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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    Thanks all things to consider... Everything is tight. Caster, don't know.. I need to find a GOOD front end shop.
     
  6. Apr 26, 2019
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    You are the best shop. A shop won't know what you're asking for. Caster is not adjustable, so what are they going to do?

    You're goin to read this thread. best way to check and set caster

    When you find out you have less than 7 degrees you're going to ask mcruff if he will make you some really nice caster shims.

    That is unless your tie rod ends are exploded.....I could be wrong about all of it, but this will cost you 10 bucks to diagnose your own problem.

    Your shocks might not have enough travel and could be bottoming out
     
    Rich M. likes this.
  7. Apr 26, 2019
    fesser

    fesser Napa, CA 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Napa, CA
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    Good information Chris. Now I have to go buy one of those angle scales and check mine. Hoping to learn from Zila what is going on with his before mine is on the road.
     
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  8. Apr 26, 2019
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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    I'm so confused about caster. I have a wore out protractor I will see what it says.
     
  9. Apr 26, 2019
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
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    When you say "steering going back and forth." was this on rutted road surface? I did notice a problem with wanting to steer out of the ruts. Setting tow helped with this.
    I also had one of my shock bolts come loose. I tightened all of them when it happened. They haven't come loose again.
     
  10. Apr 26, 2019
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
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    I can't see where camber or caster would affect it. The kit should be designed for the right caster, and camber can't be changed. I also don't have degree shims or am I running a steering stabilizer shock. I did notice a degree shim was provided with the kit, but the instructions didn't say anything about where to use it.
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2019
  11. Apr 26, 2019
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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    Scott I didn't see a shim in my kit. But after reading on the internet about steering problems , caster seems most likely. The darting seems noticeable on pavement,. Rough pavement and 18 wheeler ruts make it go crazy..

    As for the shock bolts I can't keep mine in.. I broke one in Moab, and a few days later the passenger front was missing. I have loc-tited all and drilled the bolt heads and added safety wire.. The front had a broken safety wire. The shocks in the rear seem canted a bit, and I plan on making a mod to get them sitting straight. I am also going to drill and tap the shock bolt holes and add a allen head set screw.
     
  12. Apr 26, 2019
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
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    I went out and checked. I have 5 degrees of caster on the front wheels. My set up works great on any road surface.
    It has been a while. I'm not sure if the degree shim was mounted on the rear springs. I know I removed it later.
     
  13. Apr 26, 2019
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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    I have no good way of checking caster.. I did find a place in Salt Lake that specializes in Jeeps and alignment. Probly take it there to the experts.
     
  14. Apr 27, 2019
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
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    I used an Angel Finder on the bottom of the spring plate.
     
  15. Apr 27, 2019
    Dphillip

    Dphillip Member

    Omaha NE
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    You might check your front shackle bushings. They can wear and loosen over time especially after some tuff Moab trails. When the bushing are worn or bolts loose the whole axle can shift back and forth independent from the frame. I can tell when mine loosen up because of extra play in the steering wheel and excess wandering as you have described.
     
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  16. Apr 27, 2019
    45es

    45es Active Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Naches, WA
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    I don't believe this will give you a true caster angle. For example, if I measure the angle off the bottom of my spring plate, I get an angle that is several degrees less than if I measure the caster angle off the flat at the top of the knuckle.
    Park your jeep on a level surface. Place a angle finder on the knuckle flat that is just outboard of the upper ball joint. This will give you the true angle of caster that your front end is set at.
     
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2019
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  17. Apr 27, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    I recall that Autozone will lend-to-buy (they charge your credit card and refund when returned) a caster/camber gauge. Don't know the details, but the claim was made on one of the forums. Such gauges exist: Fasttrax Camber/Caster Gauge
     
  18. Apr 27, 2019
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    The one problem on spindles or knuckle tops is trying to find a flat corresponding surface........sometimes the ball joints or the bolts will offer a point in which to start from by extending that surface up with some machinists parallels to your gauge of choice or from the side drawing and imaginary line between the center of the ball joint and wheel bearing spindle............obviously must be done on level ground or adjusted in degree's for a less than level starting point and with all the weight in the vehicle...


    That may also be from the lack of a compliant suspension...........meaning too stiff of spring rate.......and or shocks being too stiff........the tires are just bouncing on a rough surface.
     
  19. Apr 27, 2019
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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    I'll give em a try.
     
  20. Apr 27, 2019
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
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    It will be an easy place to see if it is close to what I have.
     
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