It looks like my 99 xj needs upper and lower ball joints on one side. Has anyone else seen this wear the outside of the tire tread excessively? Seems to be pulling to that side as well. Hoping the new ball joints fix everything???

 

Jack that side up till the tire is off the ground, put a jack stand under there and have a really BIG friend grab the tire and jerk it top to bottom while you look for play between the knuckle and the "C" welded to the end of the axle housing . With this method, you may even see which ball joint is loose.

 

I had mine done a couple years back. One (the lower I think) on the passenger side was shot completely. I gave the garage the OK on changing both sides, upper and lower, but they called and said the drivers side was absolutely fine and the passenger side only need the lower. Even now @ 14 years old (cause a '99 came out in 98 basically) theyre all still OK. So many various reasons why a part will or wont wear out. Maybe you nailed a huge pothole on that side at one time.

 

Use good quality ball joints; stay away from the cheap stuff on ebay unless you like doing things twice. I recommend Spicer. Be sure you get an alignment when installation is complete.

 

You can do this solo, too. Get any kinda pry bar under the wheel and see of if has movement and/or clunks. If so, x2 on Spicer. There may be any number of other parts that have similar wear; bushings and TRE's are always suspect.
And a big yes to your question of others having this problem. If you wheel it, you'll need alignments more often. Especially so if it's your DD/WW.
And a no to the u joints fixing everything! Sorry.. Maybe it will do the trick, but more than likely there will be something else. I hope not, but it's worth being prepared.. Good luck.

 

That wear is normal with shot ball joints, change both sides at the same time, and change the axle u joints while its apart. Be prepared to replace your front wheel bearings too, they don't always survive disassembly!