Installed a lift now the steering wheel is off center

[Tooonz]

hi, I bought a light of a guy who said it was a 2.5” lift, came with springs and shocks. This is my son’s jeep so it’s a 97 and was all original. It came with a bracket to relocated the rear track bar, but not the front. I bought a front bracket from Rugged ridge. I never noticed it fate to installed the lift, my son says it’s been that way since I put in the life. The wheel is almost sideways. What the hell did I do wrong and how can I figure out how to fix it?

 

[Duck Doctor]

You need to adjust the drag link to correct the steering wheel orientation. There is a collar on the drag link that loosens so you can adjust drag link length. Takes some trial and error to properly center the steering wheel.

 

[Rickyd]

You need to adjust the drag link to correct the steering wheel orientation. There is a collar on the drag link that loosens so you can adjust drag link length. Takes some trial and error to properly center the steering wheel.

And more importantly remove any front drop bracket and dropped pitman arm in the front. It makes for bump steering and other fun stuff. Get an adjustable track bar like the jks

 

[JMT]

hi, I bought a light of a guy who said it was a 2.5” lift, came with springs and shocks. This is my son’s jeep so it’s a 97 and was all original. It came with a bracket to relocated the rear track bar, but not the front. I bought a front bracket from Rugged ridge. I never noticed it fate to installed the lift, my son says it’s been that way since I put in the life. The wheel is almost sideways. What the hell did I do wrong and how can I figure out how to fix it?

I’m not sure what you mean by “the front wheel is almost sideways,” but when you do a suspension lift the track bars are too short and the axles will be off center. It’s not fatal. However, to correct the front an adjustable front track bar is the best solution. The rear sounds like it’s already fixed. Then you need to do an alignment and center the steering wheel. These are not difficult to do and explanations are in the how-to section of the forum.

 

[Tooonz]

I’m not sure what you mean by “the front wheel is almost sideways,” but when you do a suspension lift the track bars are too short and the axles will be off center. It’s not fatal. However, to correct the front an adjustable front track bar is the best solution. The rear sounds like it’s already fixed. Then you need to do an alignment and center the steering wheel. These are not difficult to do and explanations are in the how-to section of the forum.

My apologies, I wasn’t feeling well when I typed it. I should have proofed my original post. I meant the steering wheel is almost sideways. I hesitated buying an adjustable track bar, I guess I will go that route.

 

[JMT]

My apologies, I wasn’t feeling well when I typed it. I should have proofed my original post. I meant the steering wheel is almost sideways. I hesitated buying an adjustable track bar, I guess I will go that route.

After you install it do an alignment. TJ’s can only have their toe-in adjusted, so it’s easy. There’s a DIY tutorial on this forum. Then center the steering wheel. It’s also easy.

 

[Superjay5]

My apologies, I wasn’t feeling well when I typed it. I should have proofed my original post. I meant the steering wheel is almost sideways. I hesitated buying an adjustable track bar, I guess I will go that route.

You don’t need an adjustable track bar to adjust the steering. That’s a simple adjustment of the draglink. Steering adjustments need to be made when lifting a Jeep. The adjustable track bar will allow you to center the axle under the Jeep, but is not needed to center the steering wheel.

 

[macleanflood]

Thread 'How to align your Jeep Wrangler TJ'

Oct 31, 2015

Here's how to check and adjust your own toe-in that also includes how to center the steering wheel as well as re-center the axle if necessary. With just a little care on your part with nothing more than a tape measure, a big set of pliers, and a wrench, you can easily set your toe-in with as much accuracy as an alignment shop can. Really.

Start after making sure the front axle is properly centered. That may involve adjusting its length if there's an aftermarket adjustable length track bar installed. Or if the original OEM track bar is still installed and you have installed more than...

• Jerry Bransford
• alignment lj alignment tj alignment
• Replies: 400
• Forum: TJ How-to Guides

• 
•