2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission offset ball joints,anyone using these?

[GreggNoble]

hi, for a long time the alignment shop keeps telling me that my camber is off and is causing the tire wear that i am experiencing. they say that there is no reason for it to be off but it is. the only solution is offset ball joints to correct it, but i`m told that these cause a lot off other problems like caster issues and binding problems, any imput on this guys? thanks

 

[JDKammin]

All of the Dana 60 axles I have worked on has a bushing that the top ball joint goes thru. I have never checked, but I am thinking that these are alignment bushings and can be purchased will offset holes to help align.

 

[charlessmith]

Are you sure that your ball joints are not just very worn?



When I got my '97 it had a *lot* of negative camber, like an old swing axle Volkswagen - and this was due to worn ball joints.

 

[charlessmith]

Are you sure that your ball joints are not just very worn?

When I got my '97 it had a *lot* of negative camber, like an old swing axle Volkswagen - and this was due to worn ball joints.

 

[SRath]

Go to Rockauto online and let your mind be boggled by the HUGE selection of offset upper BJ bushings; a testament to the lousy idea of using bj's instead of kingpins. You need to know exactly how much each side needs bushed before you order them. Even the best Hunter machine is sometimes slightly wrong about how much offset is required to get the steering in specs, so you are better off letting a trusted and competent shop do the job right.

One local alignment shop wanted $300 to install offset bushings in mine after everything was replaced with new Moog components and said an alignment could not be done without first installing the bushings. So I let my friend and neighbor take my truck to one of the two shops he owns in a different city and he put it on his state-of-the-art new Hunter machine. I also gave him the very specific specs i wanted the truck set to. He was going to install whatever bushings it needed and was grateful for fresh, clean, parts and no rust and crud to deal with.

However, it turned out my truck did not absolutely need offset bushings. He was able to do a full alignment, including checking my rear axle alignment, and get very close to the specs i wanted, without installing bushings. The truck drives very nice, but I still have a slight vibration coming from one wheel/tire/brake drum, which is not a steering issue.

Since the front brakes are new with freshly turned rotors, and since the pulsing vibration is affected when I apply the brakes, I'm thinking I have some out-of-round issues with my rear drum(s). I'll keep after it until i find and solve the vibration.

 

[GreggNoble]

thanks guys, i have had a nightmare with this front end,everything on it is new RCF ball joints lifetime warrenty. but everytime i take it to a shop i`m told that i must have front axle bent (i don`t believe that) because my camber is off -3 on drivers side and -2 on passengers side.

So have anyone fixed thier camber issues with offsets? i have to try it i ruined a new pair of DICK CEPEK in no time .

the only modification i have made is the levelling rubber block on top off my coil springs

i can see where this could change the caster by lessening the off vertical angle of the ball joints but could it affect camber?

 

[JMcCoy]

I would just install new ball joints first. You may find that you didn't need offset bushings after all.



SRATH, if you feel the pulsation in the steering wheel and peddle, it should be the front rotors. If you feel it in your seat, it will be your rears. I have installed many sets of new rotors that were warped. Thank goodness it was usually on a front wheel drive import. Much easier to replace. Hopefully it's the rears like you said. Good luck