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Shop can't align lifted jeep without special ball joints

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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 09:23 AM
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Like the title says, the alignment shop I took my jeep to says they can't correct the alignment without adjustable or offset ball joints. I have heard bad things about these like they are hard on axles and that they wear out quickly. Not to mention it costs around $600 to get them installed. The lift is a 2.5" RK max travel(new adj front track bar, and new adj f/r LCAs) and here are the specs of the alignment. Should I try another shop? Do you guys use these type of ball joints? Any other suggestions? Thanks a ton.

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Last edited by JK_Convert; Jun 2, 2014 at 09:51 AM.
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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 09:31 AM
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Originally Posted by JK_Convert
Like the title says, the alignment shop I took my jeep to says they can't correct the alignment without adjustable or offset ball joints. I have heard bad things about these like they are hard on axles and that they wear out quickly. Not to mention it costs around $600 to get them installed. The lift is a 2.5" RK max travel, and here are the specs of the alignment. Should I try another shop? Do you guys use these type of ball joints? Any other suggestions? Thanks a ton.

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they should have set your toe anyway. That is pretty accurate that camber can not really be adjusted without offset ball joints and caster would need either geo correction brackets or adjustable control arms.
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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 09:54 AM
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I have adjustable control arms(forgot to mention that in the op, sorry) so it sounds like I am good on the caster. Is there any other option for the camber?
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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 09:59 AM
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I had same problem when I put my Teraflex 2.5" coil lift on. The dealership where I bought it did my alignment. And the suspension guru said the same thing about the only way is with adj ball joints and/or adj control arms. He said he wouldn't do the ball joints especially since the jeep only had 1000 miles on it. He set the toe and got the camber and caster as close in green as possible. My launch angle was almost perfect so no issue there either. Jeep has 7200 miles now and rides smooth with no issues
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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 10:00 AM
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Everything on your sheet can be properly adjusted, expect for camber. Your camber spec is not far enough off to be an issue. I have one side that is further out of spec than that and have no issue. That very small amount out of spec won't hurt anything. You'll even corner a little better
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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 10:02 AM
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Should have added that you need to reduce caster. Right now you are running a negative pinion angle. Between 4.5-5 is good for a lifted JK. You have a bit too much toe-in as well. I found that with 37s, the high end of stock range (.12) drives really well.
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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 10:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Invest2m4
Everything on your sheet can be properly adjusted, expect for camber. Your camber spec is not far enough off to be an issue. I have one side that is further out of spec than that and have no issue. That very small amount out of spec won't hurt anything. You'll even corner a little better
I agree that left camber is about as close as can be. I just had my 14 on the alignment rack and it was further out then that and the tech said that almost all new wranglers are coming right off the rail car that way. He said is more uncommon to see the left side actually in spec vs then out of spec. my left was -0.9.
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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 10:14 AM
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Thanks a ton for all of this info. I am going to get it aligned either tomorrow or Wednesday with this new info.
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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 10:14 AM
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Your caster is way too high and yourtoed in too much as well
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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 12:18 PM
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My lift manufacture (Rancho) lists alignment specs as follows:
Caster 4.6° ±1.0°
Camber (fixed angle) -0.25° ±0.63°
Toe-In (each wheel) 0.15° ±0.15°
Thrust Angle 0 ±0.15°

No way I would use adjustable offset ball joints to fix caster.
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