After OME Lift and JKS LCAs, it pulls to the right

**CB3** · 07-29-2008, 05:28 PM

After OME Lift and JKS LCAs, it pulls to the right slightly. This so called 2.5" lift seems to have given me about 3" of lift. Perhaps 3.25".

Ever since the lift, it pulls moderately to the right. Not hard, but noticeable and always. It drives really well, aside from the constant slight pull to the right at any speed.

What is/are the likely cause(s)? Likely cure(s)?

I'm no expert on lifts by any means, but I do think my front axle looks slightly not centered to me. For example, the swaybar and LCA appear slightly closer to the tire on one side than the other. So I wonder if I might need an aftermarket adjustable trackbar? Like a JKS adj trackbar? Perhaps just a new trackbar bracket with stock trackbar?

My local 4x4 shop (who installed the lift) doesn't think I need an adjustable trackbar. They think my front axle is as centered as it needs to be. They think I need an adjustable ball joint.

What do you think is the problem(s) and likely cure(s)? Please advise. Thank you.

P.S. - it was aligned immediately after lift installed, and again after 3K miles.

**95BadBoy** · 07-29-2008, 06:28 PM

Both axels will move with a lift. I needed an adj trackbar frt & rear. Most will, unless you are willing to just live with it. JKS is a good trackbar choice. Have you adjusted your toe in - in the front ? I know you had it aligned but mine came back from the alignment shop with pull to the left. They did a crappy job. My left front was noticably not straight, quite a bit off actually. I should have just did it myself, hind sight is usually 20-20.

**CB3** · 07-30-2008, 12:10 AM

I'm bumping this back to top in hopes of getting some more advice. Thanks.

**bman9089** · 07-30-2008, 12:15 AM

If it's pulling, i think I would double check the control arms and make sure they're at the proper length.

And yeah, your trackbar will be off. Happens with every lift, height doesn't matter. At this height, it's more of a luxury than necessary, but in some cases it might become necessary. Mine was severely off. Others seem to be alright. If you want one, is up to you. I will say that the JKS units are very nice.

**CB3** · 07-30-2008, 12:23 AM

Bman, or anyone else, why does OME provide a new, replacement, rear trackbar bracket to correct the rear trackbar and axle, but not provide a new front trackbar bracket for the front axle?

Is that because OME lifts the rear 1/2" to 1" higher than rear? Some other reason?

For this reason, I think my rear axle is where it's supposed to be, and looks like it, but I think this is also the reason the front axle is a bit off.

What do you think?

**bman9089** · 07-30-2008, 02:36 PM

I haven't heard of a bracket for the front trackbar from any company. I know the frame mount end would be nearly impossible. Axle mount might work though.

There's a lot of things not included in kits to keep the cost low. My guess though is that it simply isn't possible or some company out there would have them in a kit.

Si1ver03Rubicon · 07-30-2008, 02:42 PM

Ya relo brackets are only for the rear. I would check:

1) Front toe in
2) Control arms are to correct lengths
3) Put an adjustable track bar on the front.

Sounds silly but most only do the front and leave the rear, but in your case you adjusted the rear (bracket) but not the front.

**CB3** · 07-30-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Si1ver03Rubicon

Ya relo brackets are only for the rear. I would check:

1) Front toe in
2) Control arms are to correct lengths
3) Put an adjustable track bar on the front.

Sounds silly but most only do the front and leave the rear, but in your case you adjusted the rear (bracket) but not the front.

That's how OME/ARB has a guy do it. They provide a rear trackbar relocation bracket for the stock rear trackbar, but do NOT provide a front trackbar relocation bracket for the front front trackbar. So my local 4x4 shop, did it how OME intended, which works really well, aside from a slight pull to the right at any speed. However, I find it annoying. I want it to track straight.

What I find interesting is that my own common sense, and the advice of a few guys here says to install an adjustable front trackbar (JKS maybe), as well as check toe in and a few other things. Yet my local 4x4 shop thinks a trackbar is unnecessary and that an adjustable ball joint will fix it. Would it?

How would an adjustable ball joint fix it? Would it leave the front axle off to one side as is, but correct for that in my steering? I'm not sure, but that's what my common sense tells me is their plan. What do you think? (any of you guys)?

**rastadog** · 07-30-2008, 03:54 PM

I was told that after doing any lifts to have the alignment checked.

When I didn't my OME lift my axles weren't centered either. I have since gotten adjustable bars front and rear.

In any event, I would check the aligment if there's pulling.

**flatlander757** · 07-30-2008, 05:22 PM

Did you try rotating tires? Switch them all left to right and see what happens. Also check to be sure all are at the same PSI.

Take a tape measure and see what all your CA lengths are at. They're probably not even. That or the alignment shop did a half-*** job and didn't get your thrust angle dialed in. You can have the toe set as straight as you want, but if your axles aren't parallel, you'll still have a pull.

Si1ver03Rubicon · 07-30-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CB3

That's how OME/ARB has a guy do it. They provide a rear trackbar relocation bracket for the stock rear trackbar, but do NOT provide a front trackbar relocation bracket for the front front trackbar. So my local 4x4 shop, did it how OME intended, which works really well, aside from a slight pull to the right at any speed. However, I find it annoying. I want it to track straight.

What I find interesting is that my own common sense, and the advice of a few guys here says to install an adjustable front trackbar (JKS maybe), as well as check toe in and a few other things. Yet my local 4x4 shop thinks a trackbar is unnecessary and that an adjustable ball joint will fix it. Would it?

How would an adjustable ball joint fix it? Would it leave the front axle off to one side as is, but correct for that in my steering? I'm not sure, but that's what my common sense tells me is their plan. What do you think? (any of you guys)?

I have never heard of an adjustable ball joint, offset ball joints yes. I am by no means an expert but what I've seen through my club, helped buddies install, and read on here. We just did a 3" lift on my buddies, we did the lift first checked it out and then the adjustable track bar. His axle was definitely off, after installing the track bar all was well again. Matter of fact we didn't even do anything with the rear.

We did a quick tape measure alignment and his drives straight and doesn't pull.

**bman9089** · 07-30-2008, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatlander757

Did you try rotating tires? Switch them all left to right and see what happens. Also check to be sure all are at the same PSI.

Take a tape measure and see what all your CA lengths are at. They're probably not even. That or the alignment shop did a half-*** job and didn't get your thrust angle dialed in. You can have the toe set as straight as you want, but if your axles aren't parallel, you'll still have a pull.

And this right here is what I really think the problem is. I think your arms aren't dialed in right.

**flatlander757** · 07-30-2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CB3

How would an adjustable ball joint fix it? Would it leave the front axle off to one side as is, but correct for that in my steering? I'm not sure, but that's what my common sense tells me is their plan. What do you think? (any of you guys)?

He's probably referring to an off-set ball joint as silver03Rubicon stated, but that likely won't help you, all that does is adjust camber which I highly doubt is your problem.

Got a spec sheet from the alignment shop?

Texan32 · 07-30-2008, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CB3

My local 4x4 shop (who installed the lift) doesn't think I need an adjustable trackbar. They think my front axle is as centered as it needs to be. They think I need an adjustable ball joint.

My first suggestion is to find another 4x4 shop. I JUST moidified my stock track bars to compensate for my BB. Though I only made the track bar 1/4" longer, that 1/4" made a BIG difference.

Are you CERTAIN that your conrol arms are the same length? Correction...are you certain that your axle is the same distance from a common point on the frame? The arms may not to 100% equal in length if you are having to compensate for a brackets that are not 100% equal.

**CB3** · 08-12-2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatlander757

He's probably referring to an off-set ball joint as silver03Rubicon stated, but that likely won't help you, all that does is adjust camber which I highly doubt is your problem.

Got a spec sheet from the alignment shop?

I'm going to get a spec sheet from them. That's my next plan of action.