Front End Specialist: I need your help.
02-09-2016, 03:43 PM
#11
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Location: Baton Rouge, LA
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Jeep is being built to overland when I retire.
Jeep is being built to overland out west when I retire. The trips I have in mind will be 2000 to 4000 miles trips. Having said that, it has never been off road, in the rocks or the mud. I want to get it built right for my trips and have been taking my time. This Jeep came off the lot like this.
I asked for a copy of the specs and the report I got from the dealership is a Graphic Alignment Report and I'm not sure how to read it. The service manager and the tech told me that the front and right sides are both out of spec.
Camber = Front left: -0.8 Front right: -0.8 Rear Left: -0.3 Rear right: -0.6
I asked for a copy of the specs and the report I got from the dealership is a Graphic Alignment Report and I'm not sure how to read it. The service manager and the tech told me that the front and right sides are both out of spec.
Camber = Front left: -0.8 Front right: -0.8 Rear Left: -0.3 Rear right: -0.6
02-09-2016, 03:49 PM
#12
Post the specs... If the customer added a lift and big tires, then took it offroad and smacked down on boulders and jumped over logs at speed, why would the dealership/factory pay for it? If it is an unlifted jeep with stock tires, and the problem occurred at the factory, or in transit, or in normal onroad driving, they would obviously be more willing to install the joints or replace the housing. How do you prove one over the other? In cases where the specs are borderline, people have indicated that they saw no unusual wear on the tires. And left it alone. If the specs are bad enough, you should easily be able to tell that the tires are wearing differently. I am not up to speed on the actual indications for out of spec camber, but - camber is the top of the tire leaning in or out further than the bottom of the tire, causing the tire to ride on one edge more than the other? Also, this could be from bent C's - or maybe from bad balljoints - and the new ones will get you back in spec? Have you specifically had them checked, other than throwing it on a rack and printing the specs?
Edit: and every time I have ever gotten a vehicle aligned, they did a quick check of the ball joints and other steering components before the alignment, if they were too worn they wouldn't even put it on the rack.
02-09-2016, 06:09 PM
#13
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To effectively correct the caster on the front axle you will need to adjust the upper control arms. If you do not have adjustable front control arms then you have two options, 1. leave it as is and enjoy the Jeep or 2. get adjustable front control arms. As for taking your Jeep someplace to get it aligned you are just paying for them to recenter your steering wheel since all the stock components are a fixed length. As for the offset ball joints do not go down that road because you will be stuck having to use them as long as you own the Jeep. You best bet is to invest in a set of adjustable front upper control arms. There are several great ones out there or you can get a kit from Rough Stuff and make your own using the stock upper control arms you have or by getting a second set. R/ Will
Also, TOE can be adjust on a stock jeep when having an alignment performed. It still doesn't justify the price of having it done at most shops, but the point is there is more than just centering the steering wheel on a stock jeep.
Last edited by Emptied Each Pocket; 02-09-2016 at 06:12 PM.