AEV Geometry Correction Bracket Installation

With my Jeep OCD, I searched, researched, and then researched again. So I did all the leg work on these relocation brackets and made the comparisons. And what I found out: most on the market are all the same. And just because they cost more, it doesn't mean it's a better product. I first learned about these from a Quadratec video on JKSs bracket, which is a one piece bracket. Most all others are a 2 piece which works out just fine. The reason I picked up AEV's is because it was in stock at Quadratec.

Installation was a breeze with the usual unexpected issues when you work on any vehicle but nothing too extreme.

So you unbolt the upper and lower arms at the frame one side at a time. And loosen the axle mount bolts which I highly recommend. If you don't loosen the axle bolts the arm won't drop down out of your way to install the bracket, which I learned mid-way through the first side, which was the driver's side. Now bolt up the bracket. What I did was put the top arm bolt in to hold it up, and put in the lower arm bolt, and I will get in to why in a second. The lower arm is a breeze. It wasn't that far off, and I just pulled the arm in and bolted it up. Now the upper arm...The head of the bolt is on the inside of the frame and the nut, outside the frame. But fortunately it's a nut with a tab welded to it. (I'm sure there's a name for it). And when you loosen the bolt, you can grab hold of the nut. Now what I did after several minutes of figuring out that I can't get my fat fingers inside where the nut should go and especially with the bracket there. Fast forward. There's a hole on the outside of the frame where the nut should be. What I did was take a 6" extension with the socket and the bolt, and just stuck the bolt in from that side. Good thing it's not threaded because there is no way to get your hand in there. And with mother extension and socket there's a good chance you could cross thread the bolt. But it worked out great.

Now the passenger side. I saw several videos where on older Jeeps, the upper arm bolt will only come out so far because it hits the exhaust and you have to cut the bolt. From what I found out, some kits come with a replacement bolt. But it wasn't an issue on my 16 JK. Everything went faster now that I did one side. But when I went to bolt up the lower arm there was a good 3 inch gap between the bracket and the arm bolt hole. After about 15 minutes of trying to pull the axle back to bolt it up I gave up and went and made a PB & J sandwich. When I take a break, I never really take a break and I'm sure there are a lot of you who do the same. So I'm standing there thinking (what my next move is) how I should have made 2 sandwiches cause it was really good. Lol. Looking at what I need to do next. Well, I put my foot up on the tire. The tire moves backward an inch or so. So the light bulb goes off. I push the tire back. And the axle moves back (stop laughing) and I realize I can line up the arms if I push the tire back far enough, which I do, and put a brick under the tire, finish my PB&J and crawl back under the Jeep. 15 minutes later, I was putting my tools away.

Overall experience. I highly recommend installing this bracket. They have pre-drilled holes for several lift heights. Just take a measurement and bolt up to one of three holes. You can see from my pic it is up out of the way so any chance of dragging it is impossible. And as far as the lower arms they are pretty much back in the stock position. So if you're doing extreme off roading you will drag them. But over all, you only lose about 3 inches.

I can't tell you the difference in the ride. It's not as flighty. I'm not constantly fighting the wheel. It rolls over bumps now and not slamming into them. A much more comfortable ride. Highly recommended.

 

And By The Way. Theres several you tube videos that will help you more than I could.
Check them out.