I was going to do upper and lower ball joints on my XJ and was wondering if I should go with standard ball joints or adjustable ball joints? If I should go adjustable, how many degrees and should it be negative caster or postive caster. Keep in mind I'm putting on a 4.5" lift in a couple weeks. If anyone has any input on this I would greatly appreciate it.

 

aren't they adjustable +/-? you don't need them they do the same thing as shims i would say most of us don't have them....having said that if you don't mind paying like $100 a pop might as well

 

I have never done ball joints before, but someone told me that you can get negative 2 degree ball joint. Is that the way to go or what? I just want to do it right the first time. I know that after the ball joints are in I should get it aligned. Thanks for your help.

 

Adjustable ball-joints are made to correct things like bent axle tubes or to add caster when you are limited to adjustment, for vehicles like the WJ where caster is not adjustable. In most cases I would replace my ball-joinst with the stock units, don't let the "ADJUSTIBLE" part fool you. The stud in the center is off set to compensate for camber and or caster. If you need more caster and less camber the ball-joint gets "PRESSED" in to the knuckle in a certain position, if you don't have alignment specs before you start, you will not know where or what position to press in the ball-joint. When the offset or "ADJUSTABLE" ball-joints are pressed in to the axle you are done....If any adjustment needs to be made for alignment porposes..... the entire axle must be disassembeled and the ball-joints will need the be pressed back out to make any adjustments.

 

Okay, so I have a -1.5 camber. I think this forum has convinced me to just 'run it' as is. However, won't this condition wear the tire (passenger side) excessively? Let's hope it doesn't create DW either.

I have a adjustable ball joint on the shelf just in case someone convinces me otherwise. Or maybe I'll just get a fresh knuckle when I feel the urge to fix it the correct way. I'm nervous about junk yard knuckles due to the fact I may me purchasing the same problem.