If this has been covered before I couldn't find it. I need to use a offset ball joint to correct a leaning wheel. So I went to the local tire place today to see if they would put the truck on the alignment machine to tell me what degree of offset ball joint I need. They said they would do that but that I won't be able to install this joint myself because I will not know where to set it for the right caster. Is this true? They tell me that if I install all new ball joints that they can not do the alignment afterwards, this sounds like BS to me. Can a alignment be done with out a machine? I am afraid to take it to a shop and have them trash the hub/bearings trying to change the joints.Any links to articles covering this?

 

I'm not saying this is your problem, but the front right tire on my 98 4wd was wearing real bad on the inside, but when ever I jacked it up and shook everything around everything was tight. Steering knuckle/axle had no visible or measurable warping. Then I realized if I gave the tire a good shake with the truck on the ground, I could feel and see the lower balljoint movin around just a little bit.
PS I've yet to see an adjustable camber balljoint for this truck.

 

Napa and o'reilly's sells offset balljoints that help adjust camber.

 

I installed all 4 ball joints in my pickup a couple of months ago. I don't have the Moog number handy at the moment, but I know that the two upper ball joints were adjustable. They used a hexkey wrench and set the alignment, then tightened up the tapered shaft in the axle housing.

Dewey

 

I did know that NAPA sold fixed offset joints. I did not know that that there was adjustable joints. I know that I can replace these myself. My concern is finding the right joint and getting an alignment afterwards. Is there any method of doing a decent alignment myself. Again the shop tells me that if I install the fixed offset joint that they can not do an alignment afterwards.

 

I would never use a shop that would boldly lie to my face in such a fashion.

Find another shop.

 

So it's not true. I will try another shop, just not to many real close. Can a decent alignment be done at home? Or can I replace them all then take it in? I don't like having other people work on my truck but wheel alignments are a real mystery to me.

 

Big PITA... If the originals are too worn, you have to install the new ones, do the alignment, get your readings, and then disassemble againd and "adjust" the new joints to where you need the degreed setting at.

 

Well I hope I don't have to do it twice. How do you make the adjustment to the proper degree without doing it at the shop?