2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission frustrated:need adjustable ball joints!

[GreggNoble]

hi, guy i have been chewing up front tires for years ,been told by several different shops that my camber off -3 on drivers side -1 on passengers.

they just put the truck on the align machine and tell me i got to fix the camber issue. i have another front axle off a 1998 i could put under the truck but thats a lot off work. so before i do that i`m gonna spend again in adjustable ball joints, the only ones i can find in my area are moog k7396 for $185. 00 canadian each. are they worth it? are there others? thanks guys

wish dodge had keep the leafspring front end on these trucks!!!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrr

 

[JMcCoy]

You should be able to get offset ball joint sleeves. I believe SRATH recently did his. Maybe you could PM him. He is usually helpfull and knowledgable. Good luck.

 

[GreggNoble]

Thanks McCoy but mine is an 2001 they don`t have the sleeves, you have to get a offset ball joint,and i have heard that they don`t last.

 

[JMcCoy]

I read in your other post that you were upgrading your track bar. That and the steering box support made a huge difference in drivability. I'm sure it helped tread wear since I am no longer sawing at rhe wheel. Hopefully you will have the same results. Just curious. What tires are you running and how may miles do you get out of them?

 

[Sticks]

If you have replaced that much of the front, and still have issues, you may have other problems. Bushings, hub bearings, loose steering gearbox...

I've trashed a set of front tires on mine in about 35000-40000km and the only thing that is loose is the gearbox (on my winter repair list). I'm 56000km behind you. Rear tires put on at the same time are still about 30% left.

 

[GreggNoble]

thanks guys, from reading here i don`t think my truck has ever been aligned properly. i have been in the shops when the guys were doin it and the screen on the machine clearly shows a difference in the caster on both side,i don`t understand how one side can have more caster than another? this axle is a solid tube wouldn`t it have to twist? they keep saying that caster is fine the only thing they think they should adjust is toe-in . i have tried different shops but noone is really interested in figuring out the problem.

the one thing that has been common thought is that my camber is off and they say that the only solution is offset ball joints,i duno

i know my axle isn`t centered cause i have a 2" lift and the stock track bar

i got a new adjustable one now so i`ll fix that issue i hope, then i`ll try the offset joints i guess but i wish i could buy some quality ones, i seems that the only ones available are the moog and i have read here that they are no good. thanks

 

[GreggNoble]

would you mind explaining how you measure to center your front axle?

i was thinking that i`d just take off the stock track bar and let the truck spring back into relaxed position (which it always does) and then adjust the new bar to reach without haveing to push the truck either way, then shouldn`t the alignment shop be able to do a beter job than me in centering the axle?

 

[JMcCoy]

You can measure the ball joints to the frame. You can just line up the tires to the fenders. It is not that critical that it be perfect. The alighnment shop should be able to center it very easily, since the vehicles tires will be on ball bearing pads. Just make sure you tell them, otherwise they won't know to do it. Good luck