Do I need to install offset ball joints?

Hook_62

Hook_62

"The Exception"
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Getting my TJ back from shop today, alignment, inspection. Mechanic tells me in order to bring my camber/caster into speck I need to install offset ball joints.
Does this sound right to ya'll? if so, Spicer?
 
Exactly what is your current Camber angle? Exactly what is your current Caster angle? What size tires are you running and what size suspension lift are you running?
 
Jerry Bransford said:
Exactly what is your current Camber angle? Exactly what is your current Caster angle? What size tires are you running and what size suspension lift are you running?
Click to expand...
4" lift, on 33x12.5.
LF camber: -0.9
LF caster: 5.9
RF camber: -0.4
RF caster: 5.9
96791
 
Last edited:
Hook_62 said:
4" lift, on 33x12.5.
LF camber: -0.9
LF caster: 5.9
RF camber: -0.4
RF caster: 5.9
Click to expand...
Your camber is barely (!) out of spec given the +/- .63 degree tolerance range. Your 5.9 caster angle is about where I'd expect with a 4" lift, suspension lifts naturally reduce the factory 7 degree caster angle. 5.9 isn't bad at all for 33" tires, the bigger the tires the less caster angle that is needed.

If your Jeep is handling ok and the steering is returning back to center ok after completing a turn I wouldn't bother installing the adjustable ball joints. And if you have adjustable length front control arms or if your Jeep is an early model TJ with cam bolts on the front lower control arms, you can boost the caster angle a tad if you like by adjusting them.

Alignment specs.JPG
 
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Jerry Bransford said:
Your camber is barely (!) out of spec given the +/- .63 degree tolerance range. Your 5.9 caster angle is about where I'd expect with a 4" lift, suspension lifts naturally reduce the factory 7 degree caster angle. 5.9 isn't bad at all for 33" tires, the bigger the tires the less caster angle that is needed.

If your Jeep is handling ok and the steering is returning back to center ok after completing a turn I wouldn't bother installing the adjustable ball joints. And if you have adjustable length front control arms or if your Jeep is an early model TJ with cam bolts on the front lower control arms, you can boost the caster angle a tad if you like by adjusting them.

View attachment 96790
Click to expand...
Thanks Jerry, much appreciated!
 
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good grief, they are trying to get you to spend money you don't need to. I have -2 degree's camber on my rf wheel and I'm not even going to bother fixing it. After a year I have no funky tire wear and does not affect the steering at all.
 
Jerry Bransford said:
If your Jeep is handling ok and the steering is returning back to center ok after completing a turn I wouldn't bother installing the adjustable ball joints. And if you have adjustable length front control arms or if your Jeep is an early model TJ with cam bolts on the front lower control arms, you can boost the caster angle a tad if you like by adjusting them.
Click to expand...
Took it to work this morning, handles good, wheel returns to center. I do have the adjustable cam bolts, after market non-adjustable lower control arms, stock uppers, (want to replace all control arms in the future)

jeepndogs said:
Probably worth while to jack they left side up and check the ball joint and the unit bearing if you haven’t already. Either can potentially cause the camber to be off .5.
Click to expand...
Already done before it went in for PA inspection, everything is nice and tight no play.
 
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Hook_62 said:
Took it to work this morning, handles good, wheel returns to center. I do have the adjustable cam bolts, after market non-adjustable lower control arms, stock uppers, (want to replace all control arms in the future)
Click to expand...
If you get bored some day you can rotate the front axle's cam bolts all the way toward the rear to push/roll the lower part of the front axle forward which will give you about 1/2 degree more caster angle.
 
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