I dropped the jeep off at a local 4x4 shop to have some new wheels and tires put on. While in there they ran into a few problems. First, they said they couldn't get the drag link to adjust when trying to align the jeep so I had to play to replace the drag link/ends. Then, they tired to align again and said that it was pulling hard to the right and they have to wait for the "main alignment guy" to get there so he could diagnose. After some time he ended up finding that I needed all 4 ball joints and that my front caliper was sticking so I needed both of those. After that they said it was ready and that I could pick it up.

Right away driving it i could feel it was way different. It felt kind of like driving a boat? Where the rear sways a bit. But mainly what is bothering me is that the darn thing doesn't want to drive straight. I have to keep correcting it on the road and when going 65-70 this is a scary thing.

Some things to note:
I had the "boat-like" feeling as soon as I installed my lift (3.5" series 2 RC lift). However the steering issues only happened when I picked it up from the shop.

I have 20×10 wheels and 35" toyo open country mt tires

Any ideas what this could be? Did they not align it right? Hard to believe it's a worn component because it was fine when I dropped it off.

 

Ball joints have a break in period of about 1000 miles and then they loosen up. Is the steering wheel centered? Do u have anything for caster corrections with the 3.5" rd lift like brackets or control arms?

 

The wheel is centered. The lift came with fixed lower control arms and a drop track bar bracket. Not sure if that's what you meant?

Also, are you saying that after 1000 miles the ball joints will cause the loose steering to get worse or better? Thanks

 

Did the shop give you a print out of your alignment?

What is the caster at?

What is your toe-in?

 

It doesn't seem like they did, but the receipt is in the jeep which my girlfriend drove to work (only a mile up the road). I'll get back with those numbers if I have them. If not could I call and get them?

 

Ball joints will get better. Usually they give the feeling of Jeep not self centering or drifts to one side until after that break in period. Did u receive an alignment specs as previous poster asked?

 

I'm going to check later on. I'll post it up if I find it.

 

Also may want to check to see if shop torqued everything to proper specs and with Jeep on its own weight, not lifted and torqued!!

 

I assume you're referring to the control arms? What is one thing to look for to tell if they torqued it on the floor?

 

Control arms , track bars, drag link, ball joint nuts. Best way to do it is to break loose everything and torque them down urself while Jeep is down to proper specs. Then u know for sure that part is done properly. Should take about an hr or 2 at most.