Converted96

Hello everyone, new to this forum but not XJ's.

Brief History

I had the dreaded DW for some time and finally got around the past month replacing parts that all needed done anyway.

Tie Rods
Steering Damper

replacing these parts cured my DW. Upon replacing the parts i noticed the camber on my passenger side tire was ridiculous. It was leaning out quite a bit, so i took it for an alignment and was told i had some bad ball joints, so.... I replaced those a week ago. the ball joint on that side was definitely having an effect on the camber as it came out in pieces. I bought a good set of used tires as the ones on there were bald on the outside from the camber problem. did the alignment with a friend of mine and recentered the wheel, she is driving pretty nicely now.

here is where i still have my issue. I believe the camber is still it a little out of whack, though it could be my eyes playing tricks on me, because i know for a fact that this wheel sticks out further than the tire on the driver side. Driver side seems to be within the flare, this one is definitely out past the flare.

I read that sagging springs could cause the trackbar to push the wheel out and have an effect on the centering of the front axle. im wondering though if it really could push it out this far, it appears as though its at least an inch difference.

I did not replace the trackbar, and i did not thoroughly investigate it, just yanked on it and i remember it not moving.

looking for suggestions or what i should check or what could cause the off centering of the tires.

thanks for any info, i can get pics tomorrow so we can see the difference.

PJsJeep

Is there a lift on the jeep? Adjustable track bar.

phsycho

As long as your tires are the same size, you could measure from the frame rail to the inside of the tire on each side. Is your jeep stock height?

Converted96

Jeep is completely stock, and as I am finding out with work i do, im sure they are stock springs... @170k miles

phsycho

I would measure it to double check (maybe a flare is not pulled up tight to the body?) But if its out to the pass side then check your ride height (I believe stock is 17.5 from the center of the wheel to the flare (stock flare) the trac bar would push the right side out if your springs were sagging that bad. Did you replace your driver side ball joints?

Converted96

I replaced all the ball joints on it. I can try to measure ride height, though it may be not a good measurement considering i have a special conversion kit on it, non stock rims and possibly different flares than what came with a stock XJ. maybe i will run out and check it out.

phsycho

Center of the rim to the flare...rim size won't matter.

Converted96

They are both about 17.5 give or take a 1/4 inch at most. I also did a couple other measurements and it seems as though it is 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch further out than the driver side.

phsycho

check your trac bar bracket. Is it cracked or loose? Is the trac bar bent?

Converted96

ill have to check that tomorrow. i remember yanking on the bar and not getting any movement. not sure how to tell if its bent cause isnt it curved anyway? ill try to get out tomorrow to check it out. it could very well be bent or worn and causing that side to be out further.

phsycho

It would be clear if it isn't a factory bend. But now that I think about it, if it were bent it would probably have pulled the axle the other way.

phsycho

Also check the lower mount on the axle. Sometimes the hole will wear and become egg shaped.

Converted96

just looked at a pic of one... unless it was bent in a way that would straighten out the bends

Converted96

also it could be possible that during one of my death wobble episodes i bent the mount on the frame? or bent the bar. Ihad several violent death wobbles, believed to genearate on that side

phsycho

Make sure your sway bar links and bushings are good too. wouldn't effect your axle so much but I saw your other post and am trying to connect dots.