Alignment

[rockkrawler01]

Recently, I placed my steering with that Tie Rod upgrade from Rustys Offroad for my XJ. I took my jeep in to get an alignment over the weekend, and they told me they couldnt align my front end, cause I have a bad Differential, Could that really make a big deal? I have a lock Rite locker in the front diff now. Could that throw it off?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Bad differential? It could be 100% missing the differential and not effect the alignment. I would ask for some clarification on what the issue was.

 

[rockkrawler01]

I dont know how the differential could really effect the alignment. Didnt make sense to me, so I just left. I wont be going back to them anymore..

 

[bamacpl]

Just use a tape measure & measure @ the exact same place on the front & the rear of the tire till its the exact measurement.....prob solved

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Some measurable toe is often spec'd by manufactures, 0 toe is not always the answer.

 

[skippy]

I have seen many bent dana 30s

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I have seen many bent dana 30s

Agreed and that would absolutely prevent a good alignment, but bent housing and bad differential are mutually exclusive to most

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Go see the guys at Big O on South Temple, the managers are Jeep guys and have treated me well.

 

[rockkrawler01]

great will do

 

[4554x4]

I suspect that they have an old school alignment rack that they have to compensate the heads that they place on your wheels to make the alignment measurements. With a locked diff, (one without locking hubs) they could not do the proper compensations. They probably assumed that you had a bad differential, not an improved diff.

A newer alignment rack would not have the same procedure, and thet could proceed with the alignment.

 

[Gravy]

Some measurable toe is often spec'd by manufactures, 0 toe is not always the answer.

correct. but on a lifted XJ it works better.
Here are stock specs:

NOTE: All alignment specifications are in degrees.

ADJUSTMENT CASTER
PREFERRED + 7.0°
RANGE + 5.25° to + 8.5°
MAX RT/LT DIFFERENCE 1.25°

ADJUSTMENT CAMBER (fixed angle)
PREFERRED − 0.25°
RANGE − 0.75° to + 0.5°
MAX RT/LT DIFFERENCE 1.0°

TOTAL TOE-IN
PREFERRED + 0.25°
RANGE 0° to + 0.45°
MAX RT/LT DIFFERENCE .05°

to the OP:

with a tape measure the closest to 0"- 0.080" toe you can get (erring on the side of toe in)

and between +5° +7° caster will work best on your rig.

If you're unable to do it yourself, take it to Keith at Big "O" on 178 East South Temple. He used to be a more active member of NAXJA and will get you setup.