HOrnbrod Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 My MJ has been feeling a bit squirrelly going down the freeway at 70-80 MPH for quite awhile now. Not terribly bad, but worse than I liked it. Since the lift I had replaced every bushing or steering/suspension part up front (new WJ LCAs, new UCA bushings, new Teraflex adj. track bar, ball joints, new ZJ steering box, steering box linkage, etc.) and everything was tight with no play. My caster reading at the upper ball joint flats read +4 degrees on both sides, so I decided to add another caster shim behind the LCAs. All I could find were 1/8" thick shims, so I threw one in on each side. The caster measurement went up to +7.5 - 8.0 degrees, dead on. Took her out and what a difference - solid at speed and on bumpy roads too, no wander or steering play. It made a big difference. Dealers do not stock the shims anymore, but aftermarket 1/8" thick caster shims are available HERE. TIP: Check your caster with an angle finder and correct it to as close to 7.5 degrees as you can. It's easy to do and it really helps the road manners. If your rig is 4WD, increasing the caster also increases your front drive shaft operating angle, not good. You'll need to experiment with the caster while watching the drive shaft angle, and drive shaft angle always has the priority. The Moog 1310 u-joints can handle up to an 11 degree operating angle with no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strokermjcomanche Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 What about the adjustable ball joints ? I believe they adjust both the camber and caster at the same time though . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted January 26, 2015 Author Share Posted January 26, 2015 I believe the adjustable ball joints are only to correct camber. Besides I had new fixed Mopar ball joints already in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strokermjcomanche Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Understood . I just looked at the moog k7403 and they do say it is for both camber and caster . Although I understand if you have no issues with camber and new ball joints this wouldn't be a viable option . How much more room do you have for additional shims? Just wondering . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted January 26, 2015 Author Share Posted January 26, 2015 You can get right at 1/2" total shim thickness in if the studs on the shim clevis are not broken off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Yeah, mine wonders now, after yesterdays small lift. I was thinking about picking up some from the JY or making my own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted January 26, 2015 Author Share Posted January 26, 2015 Yes, you will need at least 1/8" thick shims on each side. I have 1/4" on each side more than I had originally and it's right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I think that's exactly what I need. Thanks for posting the source for those shims ... I was going to try making my own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted January 27, 2015 Author Share Posted January 27, 2015 I think that's exactly what I need. Thanks for posting the source for those shims ... I was going to try making my own. Eagle, good to hear from you. Looks like you're in for a bit of snow and wind tonight. A good bit........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottJeep Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Indeed thanks... I just had a long trip and the truck was ALL OVER THE PLACE on some badly maintained roads. Usually take a half day off and see my old school alignment shop that on the other side of town. Might be worth a phone call to see if they have shims before I go. Sounds like a new YJ item to pickup....just in case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-man930 Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 I'll add that it's pretty easy (and cheap) to make some shims. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasbulliwagen Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 When I did mine I ran out of shims so I used a couple short peices of bar stock shoved in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share Posted January 31, 2015 When I did mine I ran out of shims so I used a couple short peices of bar stock shoved in there. Very ingenious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 I snag those off every parts Jeep that passes through my hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobolink Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Don, where do you do the measurement for the caster? I've had the shims lying around for awhile, but have never gotten around to measuring it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted February 2, 2015 Author Share Posted February 2, 2015 Got an angle finder? Stick it on top of the L & R upper ball joint flats and check your caster while sitting on level ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobolink Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Thanks much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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