The "End-all, Be-all TJ Alignment thread" (LONG read) - Page 4

Gixxxerdan · 01-20-2009, 03:38 PM

i have a 1999 TJ with a six inch rough country lift and 2 inch body lift. I got it aliegned and the shop said i need a bottom ball joint that is adjustable for more adjustment ?? Where may i get this...

**RnEmOvr** · 01-20-2009, 03:41 PM

i was trying to tell you in your other thread you dont need them unless your axle is bent, i would try second shop,

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/need-camber-adjust-there-adjustable-ball-joint-avail-431117/?highlight=ball
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/adjustable-ball-joint-fixing-bent-axle-323195/?highlight=ball

looks like a mopar part

cj847 · 01-26-2009, 01:38 PM

Great thread flatlander. I am very interested in how the SAI, caster, camber and toe interealation ship affects us on our modified vehicles. Specifically:

-If you were to order a new front axle assembly from say Currie for your lifted TJ and you wanted to rotate the pinion angle to some setting, would you have them still set the knuckles for a caster of 7 degrees? Or should that number be different due to larger tires, different wheel offsets etc?

-If you took an axle from say a 1979 F150 and stuck it under your jeep, should you weld the brackets on such that you used the alignment specs from the Ford truck or from the Jeep (ie let's say the Ford called for 3 degree caster vs the jeep 7 degrees for example)?

I'm guessing you would set it to the Ford specs since that would be how the contact patch was engineered?

**flatlander757** · 01-26-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cj847

Great thread flatlander. I am very interested in how the SAI, caster, camber and toe interealation ship affects us on our modified vehicles. Specifically:

-If you were to order a new front axle assembly from say Currie for your lifted TJ and you wanted to rotate the pinion angle to some setting, would you have them still set the knuckles for a caster of 7 degrees? Or should that number be different due to larger tires, different wheel offsets etc?

-If you took an axle from say a 1979 F150 and stuck it under your jeep, should you weld the brackets on such that you used the alignment specs from the Ford truck or from the Jeep (ie let's say the Ford called for 3 degree caster vs the jeep 7 degrees for example)?

I'm guessing you would set it to the Ford specs since that would be how the contact patch was engineered?

1. If you were getting a custom axle built, have the pinion angle set to what it needs to be or close(the front isn't as picky about pinion angle as the rear... it's only under torque in 4wd otherwise it's only connected at one end basically) and set the caster to whatever it should be. If you're running 35s then go for 5 degrees. I can't comment on anything bigger, that's something to check out at Pirate 4x4.

2. Again it depends on the tires entirely. The stock Jeep specs mean nothing since they're likely not going to be used with 30" tires. And the Ford specs don't matter much either as the axle won't be used in the same application or with the same tire size.

The contact patch was engineered for maybe 31" tires(whatever the F150 in question had stock). It won't be used with that small of a tire I'm guessing so it's a moot point.

Once you get into crazy modifications it gets to a "whatever works" sort of deal. From 30s to 31s 7 degrees is acceptable. 35s favor 5 degrees, so 33s fall somewhere in the 6 degree area I'm speculating. After that, let it eat and hope for the best

CCJ · 01-26-2009, 10:54 PM

Thank you for this thread.

CCJ · 01-28-2009, 01:06 AM

Edit found answer

**semprfimac** · 02-20-2009, 07:32 PM

I've noticed not normal wear on the insides of my front MTR 35x12.50's so after rebalancing I took her in for an alignment and was told my camber is way off with both upper ball joints and they could not fix the problem without a replacement with adjustable ball joints ? WTF ? Ideas?

**Jerry Bransford** · 02-20-2009, 07:48 PM

Yep, the TJ's camber angle is not adjustable without installing adjustable ball joints. I can't imagine the camber angle being off that much with such a new TJ though unless you've been jumping it out in the desert. Maybe a second opinion is needed on that. Does your TJ's camber angle look ok from the front?

And a big welcome to JF Semprfimac... always happy to have the Marines here!

**flatlander757** · 02-20-2009, 11:02 PM

Either something may be bent(axle) or the alignment rack isn't/wasn't level. Got the alignment print-out specs on hand?

If one side is way positive and the other is way negative(ie: +0.5 and -0.5) then chances are the rack wasn't level and the guy didn't know what he was doing or they did it on purpose trying to make you buy stuff as everyone's hurting for money now.

**semprfimac** · 02-21-2009, 09:59 AM

Jerry, you nailed it, I have been jumping her out in the desert in a place called Glamis dunes. I do have a friend who works at a Jepp shop so I'll have him check it out as well but in case I do need to purchase new joints, Any ideas on vendors or models for these ball joints?

And thanks for the welcome aboard ! OooRaahh !

**Jerry Bransford** · 02-21-2009, 11:08 AM

I don't know of a particular brand of adjustable ball joints Semperfimac but if your local auto parts store does't have a good recommendation, you can get them from your Jeep dealer's parts department. But you may have to have them order them as they may not stock them.

Alexia · 03-01-2009, 12:06 AM

I hope the alignment people here could give me some advice. I am getting excessive camber wear on the outsides of my front tires.(Positive Camber) I am fairly sure this would be a sign of worn ball joints, correct?

If it had wear on the insides of the tires that would make sense the axle was bent upwards. Bending the axle downwards would be fairly difficult.

**flatlander757** · 03-01-2009, 10:07 PM

I'd say check your toe-in first and rotate tires frequently. Normally when a balljoint wears the tire will tilt inwards(negative camber).

I suppose it's possible to bend an axle goofy upwards, but the chances of that are pretty slim IMO.

The excessive wear on the outside can be caused by a lot of toe combined with lots of city driving/turning. When you go around corners the outside of the tire will grip more as weight is transfered to the outside front wheel.

What kind of tires? How long since rotated?

I rotated my Swampers every 3k miles and with 22k miles on them they wore real evenly and still have about 8k miles of good usable tread life left.

dequity · 03-05-2009, 05:42 PM

How does your average Joe set his steering wheel alignment on a 2000 stock TJ? Will I throw everything else out of whack?

**Jerry Bransford** · 03-05-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dequity

How does your average Joe set his steering wheel alignment on a 2000 stock TJ? Will I throw everything else out of whack?

Should we take that to mean you didn't bother reading the thread before asking this?

03-05-2009, 05:42 PM	#59
dequity Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 31 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	How does your average Joe set his steering wheel alignment on a 2000 stock TJ? Will I throw everything else out of whack? __________________ 00 TJ 4.0 / 98 5.9 Liter Grand / 98 C5 Corvette (set up for SCCA racing)