Jeep JK Wrangler Steer Stop Adjustment

January 15th, 2008 | Category: Jeep JK Write-Ups, Troubleshooting, Wheels & Tires

If you just installed a set of bigger tires on your stock wheels or wheels that have too much back spacing, you are most likely experiencing some tire rub on your front sway bar, frame rail and/or lower control arms. Now, the obvious fix for this would be to install a set of wheels that have less back spacing or to install a set of 1.5" wheel spacers but if you’re rubbing is very minor, you might want to consider adjusting out your Jeep JK Wrangler’s steer stops. Although this will cause you to loose some of your turning radius, it is a very cheap and easy fix that can be done in minutes and with nothing more than a couple washers and a wrench.

What You Will Need

• 9/16" Socket & Wrench
• Ratchet
• 3/8" Washers
   

Instructions

1. Your Jeep JK Wrangler steer stops are located on the back side of the steering knuckles as is indicated by the arrow in this pic.
2. Using a 9/16" socket, remove your Jeep JK Wrangler’s steer stop bolts.
3. Place a 3/8" washer onto your Jeep JK Wrangler’s steer stop bolt.
4. Reinstall the steer stop bolt and washer back onto your Jeep JK Wrangler’s steering knuckle.
5. This is what your steer stop bolt should look like when done. Although it may not look like much, this little washer will most likely be all that you need to fix your rubbing. However, give your Jeep JK Wrangler a test drive and add another washer if needed. Just remember, by adding more washers, you are reducing your turning radius.
That’s it, you’re done. You shouldn’t have any more rubbing on your frame rails, lower control arms or sway bar at a full turn.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
 

11 Comments so far

  1. ldwilbanks January 15th, 2008 11:40 pm

    I think I will try that. I went from the stock 255’s to some BF Goodrich Mud Terrain, 285’s and they barely rub at full turn. I looked into the option you show, but I was under the impression that I would have to remove the welded bead from the bolt. Thanks…

  2. Jeep » Jeep JK Wrangler Steer Stop Adjustment January 15th, 2008 11:55 pm

    [...] Here’s another interesting post I read today by Project-JK.com - Jeep JK Wrangler Resource [...]

  3. glwood6 January 16th, 2008 12:53 pm

    I was also fooled by the tack weld on the nut…I thought that you had to remove that in order to remove the bolt, but in looking at your photos, it seems the nut is welded to the bolt, and comes with it when you remove…thanks for the writeup.

    glwood6

  4. TJensen January 19th, 2008 8:05 pm

    I’m running 37X13.50 on Hutchinson Rock Monster wheels and everything cleared until I put on a new bumber and winch. After a little track bar work and this extremely simple trick, I have almost completely eliminated the rub. And the loss to my turn radius with just one washer is so minimal I can hardly notice. Thank you for the education.

  5. jim07x February 17th, 2008 4:43 pm

    Worked Great! Running 33×12.5×17 on factory 17″ rims w/o any wheel spacers! Can still turn into garage or parking space w/o any problems!

  6. utah-jk February 28th, 2008 1:20 pm

    Two weeks ago I had my mechanic, who is also a jeeper, wire my winch. I told him about the rub on the sway bar after I put on my 285 70R17 Goodrich Mud Terrain tires on my factory rims. He suggested adjusting the steer stop, but when he saw the spot welded nut to the bolt, he told me that I would have to get new offset rims. I just did the adjustment myself, and the tires clear just fine. Thanks for the info!

  7. Ryno July 27th, 2008 5:03 pm

    Not to be nitpicky, but wouldn’t this INCREASE your turning radius? ;) (Check the last sentence of step #5.)

  8. wayoflife July 27th, 2008 10:43 pm

    how do you figure? adding more washers will cause your steer stops to come into contact sooner than before - i.e. limit the amount of turn you will get.

  9. Ryno July 28th, 2008 2:42 am

    What you said is correct, but I think you must be confused about the definition of turning radius. A vehicle’s turning radius is the radius of the smallest circle a vehicle is capable of turning. It’s a measurement of how “tight” of a circle a vehicle can turn; it doesn’t have any reference to the number of turns the steering wheel can make.

    If I’m not mistaken, the purpose of this mod is to limit how sharp the tires can turn so they don’t make contact with various components, and that is done by reducing the number of turns the steering wheel can make lock to lock (albeit by only a fraction of a turn).

    So, if you limit the amount the steering wheel can turn, the vehicle won’t be able to turn as tight of a circle. At full lock, the tires are forced to follow the arc of a larger circle because they can’t be turned as sharply. In other words, the circumference of that full-lock circle has increased, and therefore the turning radius has also increased, as the two are directly proportional.

    But, it’s really not that big of a deal, although some people may be turned on by the idea of gaining a tighter turning radius by installing a couple of washers, which unfortunately isn’t the case.

    Anyways… Sorry to bug you, WOL–I know you’re a busy man. Keep up the good work!

  10. Stephen January 26th, 2009 4:31 pm

    Any thoughts on replacing the factory steering stop bolts with something shorter in order to tighten the turning radius if you’re still running factory 255 tires. I’m running a snow plow and I would definitely like it if I could steer a little tighter like the old Wranglers.

  11. wayoflife January 27th, 2009 3:24 am

    if you shorten your turning radius, you will start to rub your frame and sway bar at a full lock.

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