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Toe out after lift install... Please help!!!

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Nightstr, May 5, 2012.

  1. May 5, 2012
    Nightstr

    Nightstr Member

    Sacramento CA.
    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2012
    Messages:
    253
    I purchased a 2.5" pro comp lift off of Craigslist. I finished installing it and noticed that my alignment was way off! It looks like I have toe out. Is this adjustable by adjusting the tie rods? Is this normal when installing a 2.5 lift?

    Here is a bad pic.

    [​IMG]
     
  2. May 5, 2012
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
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    Apr 29, 2007
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    Yep adjust and measure until about 1/8" toe in
     
  3. May 5, 2012
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
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    12,529
    Any time ride height is changed toe must be adjusted. Commonly caster needs adjusted as well using shims. Etween the springs and axle housing


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  4. May 5, 2012
    Nightstr

    Nightstr Member

    Sacramento CA.
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    Mar 16, 2012
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    How wOuld I go about adjusting the tie rods? I used shims in the rear but nothing in the front.
     
  5. May 6, 2012
    supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    moreno valley, ca
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    Nov 12, 2007
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    there should be a clamp at each end of the tie rods. lossen the clamps and the rod should rotate. there is a left hand thread on one side and a right hand thread on the othe side and turning the rod will lenghten or shorten the tie rod.

    mcruff makes caster shims for the front. you will need to replace the leaf spring centering pin to install them.
     
  6. May 6, 2012
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    Apr 4, 2010
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    7,181
    Adjusting tie rods just involves loosening the tie rod clamps & turning the tie rods in or out.
    IMO you need a 1 piece tie rod set up-solid tie rod from wheel to wheel, with a connection for the drag link at the pass side tie rod.
    I think Herm sells a kit for this.
     
  7. May 6, 2012
    oddfirejeeper

    oddfirejeeper Active Member

    Hamilton, MI
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    May 5, 2004
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    1,253
    you can use the steering set-up from a dana 30 as well iirc. but the taper might be different on the rod ends? anywho they look very close.
     
  8. May 6, 2012
    jeepjunkie

    jeepjunkie 1955 CJ-5, stock-ish.

    Glendale, AZ
    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2012
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    62
    If you lift it and your tie rods are forward of the axle, wouldn't that result in toe in????
     
  9. May 6, 2012
    Nightstr

    Nightstr Member

    Sacramento CA.
    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2012
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    253
    Thank you all. I tried adjusting the tie rods and they will not budge. The jeep had been sitting for about 6 years so it's got a lot of crud built up. Do you guys have any tips? Should I just replace them?
     
  10. May 6, 2012
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
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    Spray pb blaster or something like that on the threads/clamps etc and let it sit,,,,, try again tomorrow
     
  11. May 6, 2012
    F Bill

    F Bill Member

    Abilene, TX area
    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2006
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    274
    x2...but remove the clamping bolts and slide the clamps off the split area of the tie rod if you can, so teh PB can actually get into the threads...

    And if that doesn't work, look into an actual tie rod wrench, some have a little hook that tends to open up the clamped area so it will budge.

    You may find it simpler to remove the tie rods completely and work on them in a vice, then dismantle them completely. Wire brush and neverseez the threads, and reeassemble loosely. Install on jeep and adjust.

    If you have any looseness just buy new assemblies, not worth the hassle if you can get new ones reasonably.
     
  12. May 6, 2012
    '74Renegade

    '74Renegade Active Member

    Fair Oaks, CA
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    Sep 1, 2005
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    1,279
    Nighstr, if you need a hand, we are in the same area. I could probably find some time this week.

    Sent from my LS670
     
  13. May 7, 2012
    Nightstr

    Nightstr Member

    Sacramento CA.
    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2012
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    253
    Thanks for all the replys, I've been spraying PB all day on them. I'll try getting a tie rod tench and see if that does the trick tomorrow.

    Thanks a bunch! If I don't get anywhere tomorrow I might have to take you up on that offer.lol I'll keep you all updated.
     
  14. May 7, 2012
    djbutler

    djbutler Sponsor

    Rio Linda CA
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    Nov 5, 2007
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    Nightstr,
    I didn't notice your location until Mike pointed it out. Where in the Sacramento area are you? I'm in the Rio Linda area.

    Don
     
  15. May 7, 2012
    JAlves

    JAlves Sponsor

    Yuba City, CA
    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2009
    Messages:
    85
    This is what you will end up with should you decide to use a 1 piece tie rod (this one is from Herm). I highly recommend it. Made a world of difference in road manners.

    [​IMG]
     
  16. May 7, 2012
    oddfirejeeper

    oddfirejeeper Active Member

    Hamilton, MI
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    Yeah what he said. Spray then let set overnight then spray in the morning and then before you goto bed. Depending on how bad it is repeat for a day or two. That usually works good for me.
     
  17. May 7, 2012
    oddfirejeeper

    oddfirejeeper Active Member

    Hamilton, MI
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    That bar going to the bell crank looks bent?
     
  18. May 7, 2012
    JAlves

    JAlves Sponsor

    Yuba City, CA
    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2009
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    85
    It is. Here is how everything was set up when I bought it. A straight drag link binds the TRE's at full extension. My Saginaw conversion will fix this last "shade tree" remnant.

    [​IMG]
     
  19. May 7, 2012
    JAlves

    JAlves Sponsor

    Yuba City, CA
    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2009
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    Nighstr, to get these ends free I had to remove the clamps, apply a healthy amount of PB and still needed to wedge the slots open with a chisel. If you are very careful you can angle a chisel from the end and use it like a wedge to help release the TRE without damaging the threads.
     
  20. May 7, 2012
    Nightstr

    Nightstr Member

    Sacramento CA.
    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2012
    Messages:
    253
    Im in Natomas by Club Center. Just right around the corner.lol

    :drool: I would love to have this set up! How much did the whole thing run you and did you have to modify anything or did it bolt right in place?

    everything looks pretty straight just a really bad angle.

    :shock:

    awesome! This will be my second day with the pb blaster. I hope byn tomorrow morning to get it all adjusted...
     
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