Opinions on alignment - Jeep Lean

[jamesweed]

I just renewed all of my tie rods, and ends.
MY jeep has the Cj lean, which I pretty much gave up on trying to fix. However it seems that its throwing off ability to check the alignment. The jeep is definitely heavier on the drivers side, both leaf springs are compressed more than on the pass side. Distance from spring perch bolt head center to lower shackle bolt head center is greater than on the pass side. I'm convinced that the front and rear axles are not parallel to each other due to the lean. I have to compensate by always steering a little left to go straight down the road. So when i drive straight in to my driveway, stop, and eyeball the sidewalls of the tires front to back, on drivers side I'm lining up with the center tread of rear tire, on passenger side, I cant even see the rear tire.

No need in talking about fixing the lean, trust me I've tried and measured everything.

Just would like some opinions on what to do with the alignment. Id like to hold the steering wheel, AND steering gearbox straight to go straight. As it sits now, my steering wheel and gearbox are aligned with each other. Both center at the same time.

My Jeep has always handled this way, Before and after my tie rod change.

My jeep is all stock suspension, no lifts, or aftermarket shackles, springs..

Thanks!

 

[PaRenegade]

From what I've read the "Jeep lean" is due to some frames being bent from the factory. Racked, but in a vertical plane. AMC issued a fix recall that had them put a 1/2" or 3/4" (don't recall which) shim under the pass. side rear spring perch. Some say it doesn't eliminate it entirely but it does make it less noticeable.
If it's not tracking straight, short of unequal tire pressure all around, have you checked your caster?

 

[IOPort51]

You are saying it pulls to the passenger side??

I am sure you have checked these but it sounds like a dragging wheel, as in a dragging brake or a wheel bearing too tight/loose/worn. If your axles are out of parallel It would be visible from a distance and by checking hub to axle center on both sides.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

The lean has nut'n to do with axles be'n parallel.
My lean was D/S rear. I just made a shackle that was 1 1/8" longer for that corner.
OP-You must get your Jeep on a rack to check tracking and ALL other specs.
LG

 

[mstar]

I cured my jeep lean by installing a small helper spring on left rear.The shackle trick works great for fine tuning. The jeep lean occurred long before AMC arrived on the scene. Sounds as thou you have a couple things going on.
I would deal with the axles not being parallel (dog tracking) first off than go on to front end alignment. mike

 

[Lumpy Grits]

The OP should also be checking to be sure a center bolt on the spring packs hasn't broken.
An alignment shop can tell you if you have a bent front axle or twek'd frame.
LG

 

[jamesweed]

You are saying it pulls to the passenger side??

I am sure you have checked these but it sounds like a dragging wheel, as in a dragging brake or a wheel bearing too tight/loose/worn. If your axles are out of parallel It would be visible from a distance and by checking hub to axle center on both sides.

Yes, it pulls to the right if I straighten the steering wheel.

yesterday I measured hub center to hub center, front to rear on pass and drivers sides. driver side measurement was .25 inches longer.

I jacked up the front left corner at the spring perch until everything looked level. I measured again, and got the drivers side .125 inches longer.

Eyeballing the sidewalls looked much better, as far as alignment and toe in being close. Hard to say if that extra .25 inches with weight on wheels makes enough difference to make it pull right, but logic tells me yes it has to do something to contribute to the issue at least.

All center pins in leafs are intact, new poly leaf bushings installed about a year ago, no caster shims installed, all stock. sway bar bushings check ok, ball joints tight, tie rods brand new. No dragging brakes, all new about a year ago, New MC last month.

I know about shimming down the high side, but I don't believe that will help my axles not being paralel, or the steering issue. As far as I know that's just for fixing the visual body lean.

About a year ago i swapped rear leaf springs side to side, no change. I'm thinking of trying a heavy duty leaf spring on the front drivers side. Maybe this will pick up that side an inch or so.

As I mentioned, I'm finding it impossible to check the toe in with weight on wheels after changing the tie rods.

Really appreciate everyones comments.

James

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Until you put it on a REAL alignment rack. Your just guess'n------
LG

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Heres my .02. The issue with the axles not looking in line when looking down the side of the jeep can easily be caused by the tub being crooked on the frame. 1/4" off to the left will measure 1/2" on the right. take a tape measure and measure from the tub to the frame in several spots to make sure the tub is even.

Ive seen several jeeps with the lean issue. Most are due to the "bent frame" Id place a jack under the side of the axle with the lean, measure ground to bumper on both sides. Jack up the lean side until it becomes level and add required spacer. Until you get it leveled it will almost impossible to align it