Alignment

[ruzty]

Hi,

I have alignment done to my 2006 KJ Ltd.
And it was said that there was a problem with the rear toe.
I do not even know what it means. But they could not fix it and left it as it was.
So final readings for primary angles are all good except for Rear Toe
Left 0.40 acc. to specs min/max should be in between -0.10 and 0.35
Right 0.50 acc. to specs min/max should be in between -0.10 and 0.35
Total 0.90 acc. to specs min/max should be in between -0.15 and 0.65
They said something is bent, but they do not specify what exactly.
Does any one know how to interpret these angles and where to look to fix them. Thanks.

 

[Porkchop]

I would start by checking the up control arm ball joint and bushings and the lower control arm bushings.

 

[Cardhu]

do you have an alignment sheet you can scan / take a picture of and post.

stock lifted etc?

 

[tjkj2002]

Hi,

I have alignment done to my 2006 KJ Ltd.
And it was said that there was a problem with the rear toe.
I do not even know what it means. But they could not fix it and left it as it was.
So final readings for primary angles are all good except for Rear Toe
Left 0.40 acc. to specs min/max should be in between -0.10 and 0.35
Right 0.50 acc. to specs min/max should be in between -0.10 and 0.35
Total 0.90 acc. to specs min/max should be in between -0.15 and 0.65
They said something is bent, but they do not specify what exactly.
Does any one know how to interpret these angles and where to look to fix them. Thanks.

If you wrote down the correct #'s then I take it you are toe out on both rear wheels which means the actual diff itself is bent(most likely the axle tubes or ends).


Time for a new rear differential.

 

[ruzty]

do you have an alignment sheet you can scan / take a picture of and post.

stock lifted etc?

all suspension is stock

here it is:

You must be registered for see images

 

[ruzty]

... the actual diff itself is bent(most likely the axle tubes or ends).

Time for a new rear differential.

Oh Nooooo. Kill Me Please!!!!!

Is it worth while trying used parts (from junk yards and so)?

 

[MarkJ]

I would definitely junk yard a rear diff. But before you do, know any good body shops? They can straighten unibodys to get 4 wheel alignment back in spec. I don't know if they can straighten your rear diff but I would give them the chance - old one is trash anyway? They can chain the diff down and move the diff with hydraulics. Kind of a cut and try method. Worth a shot and they can recheck after each adjustment to see if making any headway. (Can you tell I grew up in a farm shop?)

 

[tjkj2002]

I would definitely junk yard a rear diff. But before you do, know any good body shops? They can straighten unibodys to get 4 wheel alignment back in spec. I don't know if they can straighten your rear diff but I would give them the chance - old one is trash anyway? They can chain the diff down and move the diff with hydraulics. Kind of a cut and try method. Worth a shot and they can recheck after each adjustment to see if making any headway. (Can you tell I grew up in a farm shop?)

You need a special machine(AKA-jig),know-how,and the correct tools to check alignment(of axle tubes) which no body shop has.Some specialty offroad shops do this but are few and far between and usually cheaper to get a new diff.Pretty labor intensive as the whole diff has to be gutted and the tubes torched to red hot to bend(then you just end up with a weaker tube),this can not be done with the axle complete and still under the vehicle.

 

[CactusJacked]

Before trashing the whole rearend, put the rear wheels in the air (blocked safely) and run the Jeep in gear. See if there is any wobble at either of the wheels. There is a possibility that an axle shaft or wheel could be bent at the hub, and if the alignment was checked while the wheel was wobbled out towards the front, it would be misread as toe-out. It's worth a look.

 

[MarkJ]

Before trashing the whole rearend, put the rear wheels in the air (blocked safely) and run the Jeep in gear. See if there is any wobble at either of the wheels. There is a possibility that an axle shaft or wheel could be bent at the hub, and if the alignment was checked while the wheel was wobbled out towards the front, it would be misread as toe-out. It's worth a look.

Great idea!

 

[Cardhu]

Its time for a new rear diff, or junk yard as indicated by toe being off in the same direction on both sides. 06 - 07 will fit as you need the one without the tone ring on the carrier and with all the other ESP stuff.

You must be registered for see images

 

[TRFguy]

I'm fighting this same issue with my Jeep. I know however what happened to mine, it went into a ditch hard. Typically, rear toe issues means bent axle tube.

 

[ruzty]

While I was discussing it with you here there was hit-n-run. My Jeep is in bobyshop now for repair. It was rear ended on driver's side rear corner. Fortunately they will not write it off and agreed to fix it.

Can any one show me how this toe looks like on a Jeep, please? After I get it back from the shop I will start working on the rear axl. I am mechanically minded and educated but never changed an axl. How bad is this work?

 

[MarkJ]

Well, at least your gas probably won't blow back on you for at least a while.

 

[ol-flattop]

Well, at least your gas probably won't blow back on you for at least a while.

:happy175:
Way to find the bright spot Mark.

 

[MarkJ]

Someone on one of the forums said that an accident "unstuck" the stock tank valve and made it work again... My guess is this little bender was perfectly targeted.

 

[ruzty]

Yeah right about gas burps))) Like old school TV set punch-fixing)))

 

[ol-flattop]

Someone on one of the forums said that an accident "unstuck" the stock tank valve and made it work again... My guess is this little bender was perfectly targeted.

I came across that a couple of times in researching the problem. Never saw a follow up, but I suspect that whenever this has happened, the rollover valve became stuck again before too long.

The whole thing just reinforces my theory that corn is useless.

 

[ruzty]

I looked thru kijiji and I found some KJs for parts.
I wonder if there is a compatability chart for rear axls?
My Liberty is 2006 ltd, 3.7L
Do I need a spcific rear axl/diff or any year will fit?
When I drop my bent rear axl/diff how can I make sure the axl tubes are bent?

 

[HoosierJeeper]

You would need at least an 06, 06 or 07, because of the ESP.