"Jeff Strickland" > wrote in message
news:Ji1Ai.159$hV.157@trnddc02...
>I wasn't very clear earlier.
>
> When you have sufficient negative caster, the weight of the vehicle
> settles into the steering geometry and literally forces the front tires to
> be straight ahead. If you've ever ridden a chopper, you probably noticed
> that the steering was very heavy to get off of center, this is because of
> the very steep Caster Angle that is a natural part of a chopper. Choppers
> go straight very easily, but it can be a chore to make them turn.
>
> When your Jeep has sufficient Caster Angle, the tires will prefer to be
> pointed straight ahead. If your Caster angle is almost right, you might
> notice that the wheel will spin almost by itself from a full lock turn
> back to center, or within about a 1/4 to 1/8th turn from center. It is not
> unusual that the steering will have a bit of slop on either side of center
> where you have to provide the input, but outside of the slop range, the
> wheel should return to the slop range pretty much by itself. The test I
> like is to mimic backing out of a parking space and turning the wheel
> nearly full lock -- the wheel should move towards the center when you go
> forward, and should require little more than a flick of the wrist if it
> needs that much. A U-turn should be self-centering too.
>
> I think you need to visit an alignment shop to have the caster angle
> adjusted more negative. There is a specifrication for this setting, and
> you are likely at the end closer to zero, but you need to be at the end
> closer to the max. range. Since they have to check it, you may as well
> have them physically make the change to the max setting.
>
> If the range is -0.1 to -0.7, then you are currently closer to -0.1, but
> want to be closer to -0.7. I don't know what the spec is, I just know you
> are not at the preferred setting.
>

For the sake of discussion, Jeff, why would his caster suddenly be off?
Would a 2" spring lift be substantial enough to cause it?
Obviously, it would make the upper ball joint move slightly forward, but
would it be enough to cause his problem?
.....and did the problem start immediately after installing the spring lift?
On the other hand,......
Dry, worn ball joints won't allow the spindles to auto-return, they tend to
stick.

Not for arguments sake, for discussions sake.

Spdloader