Adjustable ball joints

[2Buku]

I recently had my ball joints replaced and I was going to purchase the adjustable kind so that I could have my caster set independent of the pinion angle i set with the upper control arms.
The guy at the parts store told me not to use the adjustable ball joints on my lifted 99 xj, so I purchased the typical heavy duty ball joints instead.

I spent most of my day today trying to set my front pinion angle to stop some vibrations I have been having but still keep a decent caster angle for drive ability. Now I wish I would have gotten the adjustable ball joints so that I could set my pinion angle where i wanted it and then set the caster to where I wanted it.

Does anyone else see any reason not to run adjustable ball joints? I was wondering if they can come out of adjustment on the trail or something.

[GPP33]

I run offset ball joints and haven't had a problem with them, they aren't adjustable though so I can't speak to those.

[gm4x4lover]

They are junk and unless you had an alignment machine sitting in front of you, you wouldn't be able to install them anyways. Putting adjustable's in is just covering up another issue and doesn't address that issue.

[2Buku]

gm4x4lover previously posted:

[gm4x4lover]

What are you trying to correct? Was caster low/high or was one side off? It's better to address the problem rather than band aid fix it. Some jeeps had cam bolts in the lower arm brackets others didnt. Also FYI lower adjustable control arms also adjust caster, not just the uppers.

[Hypoid]

2Buku previously posted:

[RidgeRunner]

Hypoid previously posted:

[xaza]

The adjustments made to the upper control arms are small in comparison to the adjustments made to the lower control arms. You will need adjustable lower control arms if you don't have them already. At 4" of lift you could run stock length uppers but the lowers need to be extended by about 1.5 inches. It doesn't matter about high/low pinion at your height. I am running 6.5" lift on low pinion front and rear axles and am able to get the pinion/caster angles shimmy free. I spent a ton of time last year chasing down wobbles and it is stressful, hope you get yours fixed quicker than I did. My wife wouldn't ride in my Jeep for a while and still won't drive it on the road. Here is the chart I use to get myself in the ballpark, post #4.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/jeep-...m-lengths.html

[2Buku]

Hypoid previously posted:

[2Buku]

RidgeRunner previously posted:

[2Buku]

Thanks Xaza..

I am running the 5.5" Rubicon long arm. I have replaced alot of the wore out drive line at this point. I think my current challenge is getting my pinion angles right along with caster.

I adjusted the upper arms over the weekend and it made a good dent in the vibes but i think i took too much caster out, my jeep seems to wander a bit more on the highway now. I think at this point it's a matter of adjusting some things to find that happy spot but I'll need an alignment machine to keep me out of trouble. I got a shop here in Denver area that can get it in shape.

[2Buku]

gm4x4lover previously posted:

[gm4x4lover]

Aren't the re long arms adjustable? What were the alignment specs?

[xaza]

The long arms are adjustable, but the lowers don't effect caster. Sorry, didn't realize you had the long arm. I thought your truck looked pretty tall for a 4" lift. If you have not had it to the alignment shop since you got rid of the shimmies, that will make a difference. I would bet you are toed out slightly causing the wander, that is where my truck is stuck because the Rusty's steering doesn't adjust in enough to set toe correct. Do you have slop in the steering?

[Haku]

xaza previously posted:

[RidgeRunner]

Haku previously posted:

[Haku]

Interesting, when I heard "upper and lower link" my brain went to a 4 link setup and not a wristed radius arm setup. I stand corrected I guess. I suppose that is one way they do the long arm package. I could see how that would complicate things, especially as the caster changes through the travel cycle compared to a well set up 4 link system.

[2Buku]

xaza previously posted:

[2Buku]

Haku previously posted:

[gm4x4lover]

Do you have the Ali specs from the last time it was aligned?

Josh he didn't specify which long arm kit he had. Not all long arms are radius arm style.

The lower arms in the radius arm style long arms can most definitely cause and adjust caster if they are not set to the same length.
It's just a guessing game with out knowing what the numbers are or were before the have been tinkered with.