I certainly hope not. I dont wanna pay for a bent knuckle and all my driving has been street lately. I'm hoping its just a ball joint I'll keep u posted u to the same.

Also to check my tie rod and drag link does the Jeep need to be jacked up like when you check the ball joints at the wheels?

And finally what do the control arms look like and how can you tell if they are bad?

 

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modified-jk-tech-2/aev-lift-shock-relocation-63103/

Just look at the first picture. The "C" shape on the right is what they are talking about. On Solid front axle vehicles this is what makes the camber NOT adjustable, if its bent your out of camber. No really true fix that is worthy as far as research suggests anyway.

Good luck.

Oh and BTW, Steering wheel alignment is a must to ensure no esp, etc issues and "toe" is always adjustable, as camber will NOT effect toe, just how your tires tread meets the road.

Someone can correct or add to this info if need be.

 

Well mine looks just like that, although I guess if it was off a little it would be undectable to the eye anyway. Anyway, dealer Thursday and then back to the tire shop. I also got hubcentric rings I need them to put on, which might help with the vibrations at least.

Im still wondering about my above question though on the tie rod/drag link and control arms.

 

To check the tie rod and drag link? You mean the ends? No the Jeep doesn't have to be lifted to check these. They will rotate a little but shouldn't be loose if pull/pushing from driver side to passenger side.

The control arms run from the frame to the axle. Just check for play or visibly damaged bushings. In the referenced picture I posted, the control arm would be the bar running from the foreground to the axle, just left of the shock.

 

How do I check for play on the control arm? Same way? Just wiggle em back and forth?

 

Visual inspection. and you can try to wiggle them and see if there is an obvious give. Mine don't budge at all. If you look at the joint you could see if the rubber bushing is squezed out or visually damaged.

 

Thanks Ill give that a check as well.

 

Has anyone heard of any aftermarket ball joints, or are the OEM ones the only way to go?

 

According to this chart, yes, someone makes them. There's a part number and all. I find it hard to believe all of those applications use the same part number, but I guess it's possible. That's the way I'm reading the chart. How bout you?

http://www.streetperformance.com/par...018-23540.html

...and according to this page, there are several different part numbers.

http://www.streetperformance.com/m/c...all-joint.html

 

Ah, yes - thanks Redneck - it looks like there definitely are some aftermarket choices.