You can get it back into spec using an offset ball joints and some adjustment in the control arms. You can get them in 1.5 degree offset. It would be the cheapest route to go and are used all the time. I would ditch the RK lower arms and replace it with a better company that uses a more standard joint size. RK uses a small short shank on their joints and they have had a poor track record. Going with a 1.25" threaded arm will allow you to use just about any other joint from heims, johnny joint, enduro joints, duroflex joints, durometer joints and others.

 

Thanks Dirtman!
Any advice on a good aftermarket company for lower control arms?

 

Metal Cloak, Synergy, Core4x4, Rock Jock, Clayton.

 

Alright tore Into the Jeep today. Kind of impressed myself with how torn apart I got my Jeep (hopefully it all goes back together good.) haha.


Anyways found the lower ball joint was shot! Tons of movement could move it with my pinkie. Pressed the upper ball joint out (somehow broke it in the process) was going to press out the lower ball joint and noticed it didn’t look like it was fully installed. (Look at picture below) it wasn’t pressed in enough to allow a C clip. Noticed that the other side was the same.


My questions now….

1. Could a bad ball joint cause that much caster difference?

2. How does a ball joint not pressed in all the way effect caster? Or does it?

3. Even if it takes more work…. Should I be installing stock ball joints. Getting another alignment on the Jeep and then figuring out what I need offset wise ?

4. Recommendations on a good cheap ball joint (not sure if that exists but there’s a chance that the ball joint stays installed for less than 24 hours if I end up still needing an offset one.

Ball joint was completely shot. Not sure if it was seated correctly.

 

Took the time and decided to check out the ball joints and see where I am at.

I have never dove into jeeps this mechanically but did it last night. Watched a lot of videos to assist.

Everything came off alright. Decided to buy the OTC 7894 adapter set for install went back and forth between that set and a cheap set on Amazon. And I actually found a set locally for a couple bucks more.

Upper ball joints felt solid. Lower ball joints were bad on both sides. Like really bad. They were all original also.

The plan is to replace all 4 ball joints with normal ball joints. Go to the alignment place again. Get a read out with good ball joints. (Not sure how the shop didn’t see that the lowers were bad when they “checked the ball joints real good for play”) I am hoping that with new lower ball joints the camber gets tightened up a little bit and is in spec and then I can figure out what offset upper to buy to fix any twist in my axle.

I also like that the upper has 4 different options for offset ranging from 0.5 degrees to 1 degree 1.5 degree and 2.0 degree. Where as the lower the only option is 1.75.

New lower adjustable control arms are ordered also. Went with core 4x4 because I got the uppers.

 

The lower BJs take the full load and the uppers are essentially just a piviot point, so it's not surprising that the uppers appeared good and the lower's shot....that is typically how it is. Unless someone else started producing some, Rare Parts is the only brand that I know of that splits a small portion of the load to the top BJ.

 

Alright we are nearing the end of this!

Got the Moog K100312 1.5 degree ball joint, Lined her up and installed it so only thing being effected was the Caster. Got everything buttoned up. Took the jeep in and lo and behold everything was good to go! ball joints were very similar, passengers side was a little higher but sounds like from stock its a little higher on the passenger.



Latest dliemma I have the Metal Cloak geometry bracket installed so I could use stock control arms for now....If I am on the lowest hole my caster is around 6.0 and if I use the center hole my caster is around 4.3.



Not going to worry to much about it as I am going to put slightly taller springs since the jeep has Reid Knuckles and a Flipped Drag link kit. Sounds like I should have 3.5 inches of lift and currently the jeep has a small 2.5 inch lift.



Should I be Trussing and Gusseting the jeep since at one time the axle was obviously bent?