Front tires/camber
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport
3" RC lift
4.0l I-6
The camber on my front tires is off badly, I've checked the ball joints and have done what the other threads have done with no luck. The axle housing is not bent and nothing seems to be damaged. What am I looking at?
Edit: I've never jumped it or anything close to.
3" RC lift
4.0l I-6
The camber on my front tires is off badly, I've checked the ball joints and have done what the other threads have done with no luck. The axle housing is not bent and nothing seems to be damaged. What am I looking at?
Edit: I've never jumped it or anything close to.
Last edited by THE_CHIEF; 06-20-2013 at 10:50 PM.
#7
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 14,553
Likes: 1
From: Carrollton, GA
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6 4.0L High Output
Measure from the inside of the tires, wheels are more accurate, and adjust your tie rod to 1/8" in towards the inside.
Google: how to jeep cherokee xj alignment
Google: how to jeep cherokee xj alignment
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#8
Have you had the camber measured with an alignment? Was it like that before your lift? Is it just that one side? You have a bad negative camber that will eventually feather your tire.
Camber can not be corrected with normal alignment adjustments. You need new ball joints. My guess is that your lower ball joint took a crap, even though your mechanic says its ok. How did he test it? You can text this at home by jacking up the jeep, putting it on stands. Then put one hand at twelve o'clock and one at six o'clock and trying to rock it back and forth. If it wiggles, one or both ball joints are bad.
I would change both upper and lower ball joints on that side. You can rent a ball joint press at the parts store. It is not easy and will take significant force to get them in and out. I would suggest a cheater bar. You will also need a size 13 12-point socket to get the steering knuckle off and a sturdy large adjustable wrench for the large nuts that hold the ball joints in.
There are some YouTube videos that are pretty helpful.
Camber can not be corrected with normal alignment adjustments. You need new ball joints. My guess is that your lower ball joint took a crap, even though your mechanic says its ok. How did he test it? You can text this at home by jacking up the jeep, putting it on stands. Then put one hand at twelve o'clock and one at six o'clock and trying to rock it back and forth. If it wiggles, one or both ball joints are bad.
I would change both upper and lower ball joints on that side. You can rent a ball joint press at the parts store. It is not easy and will take significant force to get them in and out. I would suggest a cheater bar. You will also need a size 13 12-point socket to get the steering knuckle off and a sturdy large adjustable wrench for the large nuts that hold the ball joints in.
There are some YouTube videos that are pretty helpful.
Last edited by Muaddib420; 06-21-2013 at 10:20 AM.
#9
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 31
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
#10
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
Thank you for the quick replies everyone. As well a the links and suggestions. It was like that before the lift and it was just the passenger side but now the driver's side is starting to do it too.
I've jacked up the jeep and there is no play in the b-joints.
I've jacked up the jeep and there is no play in the b-joints.
#14
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 31
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
#15
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
Alright I've been reading in the forums still about ball joint replacement and someone had mentioned a bad unit bearing being a source of bad camber, when I jacked up the front today, and jerked off my tires back and forth there was no play. Are they still bad? Opinions please! And thanks in advance for the wisdom fellow Jeepers.