So the other day when washing my jeep that the front passenger side tire was extremely worn on the outside only. Since it is on the outside only, am I safe ruling out low tire pressure? I was thinking I maybe need an alignment, but am unsure and a brief google search turned up ball joints, alignment, and u joints, in that order of popularity.
It does pull a hair to the right, but not badly at all. Otherwise it seems to drive fine. I am pretty sure the springs, shocks, and struts, are all shot, but have been putting those off until I can afford a little lift kit. I am not sure if those all being bad could add to the wear problem.
I had a guy I work with take a peek (not a jeeper, but generally good with all automobiles) and he said it looked like the lower ball joint was leaking so should probably be replaced since theyre cheap enough, but it looked like the uppers are okay. His suggestion was take to a shop for an alignment, because any reputable shop wont do an alignment if they feel the ball joints need to be replaced.

what do you guys think?



with the steering wheel straight





drivers front





passengers front

 

I would replace both ball joints top and bottom since your already there.

 

I second the ball joint. U joints have nothing to do with alignment.

 

Any recommended brand? Quadratec is having a sale on the alloy usa kit, but I am finding mixed reviews about them. It seems the most recommended are spicer, moog, and synergy.

 

Go with a steel on steel set like the alloy or synergy joints. I plan on doing the alloys myself.

 

Not worried about the alloy usa brand then? I was gonna pull the trigger on ordering them but got scared.

 

No I'm not worried. They are the same company as omix ada. I run their chromoly shafts in my 8.25.

 

Sounds like ill be ordering them once pay day rolls around. Thank you for your input. A couple more questions. Should I get an alignment before or after? I am assuming after. In the same area, should i just go a head and buy into one of those lifetime alignment deals? I plan on eventually getting a little lift then not messing with it much after that besides regular maintenance.

 

anyone on my last two questions?

 

I just swapped out my entire suspension and went with Spicer ball joints. I did a hack job aligning it on the driveway just to get it out of the driveway. Killed what life remained on the old tires. I then went to my mechanic who aligned it a little better using measuring gauges.

I plan on having it aligned at a Mavis around me. They use those more sophisticated laser measuring machines. It still drifts a bit but tires wear even. I managed to get 4 used wheels with moderately worn tires from a 4x4 shop that had them laying around from an earlier job for $100.

Your problem is going to be first finding the issue for the uneven wear and then getting new tires to do the alignment correctly. Many of these alignment tire centers let you come back and adjust the alignment if you get tires with them.

But first find the cause. Look at the axle, make sure it is not bent or broken someplace. Look at the control arms too. Then go after the ball joints. While you have it all apart, do the axle ujoints too. And if your inner axle seals are leaking, change them too, while it is all apart. Real PITA to do it all, but best to do it at all at once.