Short arm lift

[beanz98]

You guys have been great, I'm hoping this continues......


I have installed a short arm kit with adjustable control arms on my 98 TJ.    I have to get the axles squared up(I noticed they are shifted a bit).   After some a quick measurements, I noticed that the front lower arms are different lengths.  The rear lower arms, also are slightly different. 
I guess what I'm asking is where to start...
The front axle needs to move towards the driver about 3/4" to center it up.  I have read some forums that state measuring corner to corner then front to back, but what is a good starting point?
OR.....
Also, does anyone know of an alignment shop that would know how to do this correctly, or is this a DIY, then get an alignment.
As always, your help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance....
Dave

[smichaelR22]

what lift kit is it and how was it installed?  sounds like you have a few issues.  do you have an adjustable track bar?


why are the front lower arms different lengths?  you should start with them at the same length, and then adjust them to get proper caster with what ever lift you have.

[AWL4928]

If you want a good alignment call gates automotive on marway circle I work for them and they also Did my alignment explain to them the problems and they should take care of everything.  The techs out there are very skilled.   I don't know much about the shop in Henrietta

[MrMindless]

You can adjust lower arms all day long and not move the axle side to side. Smike already gave you good advice there.

You need to adjust track bar length to center the axles. Assuming mounting locations were not changed on axle or frame end, the effective length gets shorter as the rig gets taller. Bar needs to get longer or mounting points need to be adjusted to make up the difference from the increased angle.

[beanz98]

@smike- Rough country 4" X-series Kit.  It does have an adjustable track bar.  Different length's, my carelessness I guess.  My plan was to get them equal(bottom first then top), then adjust the track bar.

@AWL- Should I ask for someone special?

@Mr.Mindless-Location did not change on the axle, but a lowering bracket was installed on the frame, as per instructions.  the adjustable end doesn't seem like it has enough adjustment to get the 3/4" needed to center me up.
I plan on digging in tomorrow afternoon.
As always, thanks guys for the quick reply.

[MrMindless]

One other thing - be sure to adjust at ride height. Things change when it droops or stuffs.

Obvious? Perhaps... But I just remembered Alex had a really dumb service tech once that totally forgot that.

[beanz98]

All good now.  I had to cut a bit of thread off the end of the track bar joint to get it to thread all the way in(centered and squared < 1/8"), axles parallel < 1/32. 
I'll chalk this up to being careless, and rookie mistakes. 
Again, thanks for the input guys!

[MrMindless]

Good news!

[AWL4928]

One other thing - be sure to adjust at ride height. Things change when it droops or stuffs.

Obvious? Perhaps... But I just remembered Alex had a really dumb service tech once that totally forgot that.

That was a jeep dealer tech.  He should probably stick to oil changes and tire rotations.

[MrMindless]

I'm not sure he's qualified for that. Maybe doll up and car washes.