AEV JK high steer kit

**USAntigoon** · 03-30-2009, 07:32 AM

I recently had an OME lift done with JKS adjustable track-bars and a new welded-on rear track-bar brace (JKS as well)
The ride is very smooth. I do have a little bit of steering "wandering" at low speeds .. Highway behavior is OK..
I did ask for a new steering stabilizer (at least something better then stock)
The question I like to share is: Will a AEV JK high steer kit help me with this issue..?
Anybody having experience with this kit..I am not sure but it seems that this set up might accommodate an OME steering damper/stabilizer..
Looking forwards for some comments.. Thanks

desertjk · 03-30-2009, 10:28 AM

I can't comment on the high steer kit. However, I had pretty significant wandering with my Jeep after my lift was installed. It turned out that my rear axle was off center and once I corrected that (with an adjustable rear track bar) the problem was basically eliminated.

I recently added some taller rear springs to compensate for all the junk I carry in the rear and that caused the rear axle to once again become off center - the wandering returned, very noticeably. Re-centering it cured it again - so I'm reasonably confident that this is an important adjustment to aid in reducing or eliminating wandering.

**USAntigoon** · 03-30-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertjk

I can't comment on the high steer kit. However, I had pretty significant wandering with my Jeep after my lift was installed. It turned out that my rear axle was off center and once I corrected that (with an adjustable rear track bar) the problem was basically eliminated.

I recently added some taller rear springs to compensate for all the junk I carry in the rear and that caused the rear axle to once again become off center - the wandering returned, very noticeably. Re-centering it cured it again - so I'm reasonably confident that this is an important adjustment to aid in reducing or eliminating wandering.

I have adjustable tack-bars and the axles are dead nuts aligned.. That's apparently not the issue..
May be, it is related to the reduction in caster and the associated body roll tendency with the lift .Don't know.. But it seems that this package will address that.. Therefore my feedback question..Thanks

desertjk · 03-30-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAntigoon

I have adjustable tack-bars and the axles are dead nuts aligned.. That's apparently not the issue..
May be, it is related to the reduction in caster and the associated body roll tendency with the lift .Don't know.. But it seems that this package will address that.. Therefore my feedback question..Thanks

Just offering a little bit of my own experience in case it was of any help. If you've checked the axles and they are centered, that definitely isn't the problem.

Reduced castor can definitely make the vehicle wander also. However, the high steer kit won't change your castor.

dsy · 03-30-2009, 12:19 PM

Also I'm pretty sure the AEV high steer kit is only for lifts of 3 1/2" or more as you have to install new 3" bumpstops.

**USAntigoon** · 03-30-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsy

Also I'm pretty sure the AEV high steer kit is only for lifts of 3 1/2" or more as you have to install new 3" bumpstops.

Indeed I did some more checking and learned the same thing..
I might abandon this idea and focus on the caster issue and a better then stock steering stabilizer.

**RockyClymer** · 03-30-2009, 01:16 PM

x2 Not enough caster angle. I set my OME lift between 2 and 3 degrees and no wandering at all.

**USAntigoon** · 03-30-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlanderton

x2 Not enough caster angle. I set my OME lift between 2 and 3 degrees and no wandering at all.

Should I get some adjustable upper front control arms (like JKS) to set the caster..?

desertjk · 03-30-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAntigoon

Should I get some adjustable upper front control arms (like JKS) to set the caster..?

To adjust your castor/ pinion angle you'll need adjustable control arms of some sort. Some use an eccentric type bolt and others use some variation of a heim joint/ johnny joint, etc.

Poly Performance has adjustable control arms that can be adjusted without disconnecting either end - many of them require you to disconnect one end or the other to adjust them.

This will save you some time and trouble. Particularly since getting the angle right on the front is often times trial and error. For stability you want more castor but that also increases the pinion angle which tends to cause driveline vibrations. Reduce the pinion angle to get rid of the vibrations and you lose castor and you may get your wandering back. So it's often a case of having to just adjust it, try it, readjust it, retry it, etc. until you hit the right compromise. Being able to do that without disconnecting the arms is a lot easier. Just my opinion.

JohnBarleycorn · 03-30-2009, 03:05 PM

I had a similar issue after my lift. I had adj control arms and we got everything dead nuts on but we had to use and offset ball joint to get it there.

**USAntigoon** · 03-30-2009, 03:07 PM

desertjk
Thanks for the feedback.. So damned if you do and damned if you don't.. I for sure will wait until I got my BFG KM's and a new steering stabilizer and a recheck of the toe in.. Then we go from there.. I don't have any "wandering" at higher speeds..It is just that loose floating feel at low speeds.. 30/40 mph.. Anyway, I am learning a lot with all this feedback..
Thanks again..

desertjk · 03-30-2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAntigoon

desertjk
Thanks for the feedback.. So damned if you do and damned if you don't.. I for sure will wait until I got my BFG KM's and a new steering stabilizer and a recheck of the toe in.. Then we go from there.. I don't have any "wandering" at higher speeds..It is just that loose floating feel at low speeds.. 30/40 mph.. Anyway, I am learning a lot with all this feedback..
Thanks again..

You're welcome! It seems like it's always a compromise to set the vehicles up so they perform the way we want them to offroad and still have decent manners on road. I think what you're experiencing is pretty typical and everything should work out fine for you - it just requires a little work in the beginning to work through all the quirks.

I think your idea of waiting for your tires and rechecking the alignment first is a good approach. Good luck!

**USAntigoon** · 03-30-2009, 09:17 PM

Got a phone conversation with AEV and all what was shared in this thread was also confirmed by them.

Thank you all for the feedback...

BiGEN · 03-31-2009, 07:55 AM

there is no true high steer kit for the JK.. the tie rod is still going to remain in front of the axle...

**LHS-Cowboy** · 03-31-2009, 10:53 PM

I have been looking for a true high steer kit, but can't find one...