I have a 2000 Cherokee 2WD with a 3 inch lift (not sure what kind, but I verified by measuring from the center hub to the fender flare). I noticed it pulling right soon after I bought it. I went to an alignment shop and he said I need 1 inch offset ball joints to counteract the pull to the right. I'm not very knowledgeable on lifts and alignment. Do I need ball joints done? If so, do they need to be both sides?

Apologies for not knowing what kind of lift or anything regarding it. The Jeep was sort of an impulse craigslist buy. Tires are 32x11.5x15 BFG All-Terrains if that matters.

 

First, find a new alignment shop.

Second, Did they give you a printout of the specs? I would love to see where they are.

 

Holy moley, an inch, what direction positive?

Tell them peeps in the other lane to moooooooooooooove over.

 

get a second opinion on the alignment , but first check pressure in front tires. lots of things can cause a pull to one side. swap the front tires from side to side, a tire can cause it. my 1 ton ford van had a little pull to the right. a mech. friend told me to swap front tires side to side . the pull was gone.

 

Yeah, that's what he said! I'm not well versed on lifted vehicles. He mentioned the lift changes the geometry of the suspension thus the need for new joints. You can see from the photo that the front left camber is off. He said the new ball joints would fix that issue.

 

LMAO! exactly what I was thinking.

But your alignment is fine. I've done a tonnnn of alignments so I'm not just some joe-shmo giving you bad advice. It's only out a tenth of a degree for your camber which is nothing to worry about. An offset balljoint isn't necessary. Honestly, it may be fine after putting new (normal) balljoints and/or wheel bearings in. But if it doesn't need them yet, I don't see a problem running it right now. Bigger, wider, tires tend to pull to the right because of the crown in the road for water drainage. If you get a chance, drive on a deserted road on the opposite side. See if it still pulls right. It may not and it might actually pull you towards the left now.

Don't go back to this alignment shop please. This is how people get screweddddd. A lift on a solid axle doesn't change your camber or toe angles, mostly your caster which isn't considered to cause tire wear. Mostly driveability concerns (how quickly or slowly the steering wheel returns to center). You'd pay out your @zz for offset balljoint installation and alignment. They suckkkkk to do.

 

Wow, thanks for the advice. I won't go back. Looks like I'll rotate the tires then go from there.

 

I agree with just getting new standard ball joints. Or maybe do nothing. But pulling to the side can be real f'ing annoying even a tiny amount. Check the air and rotate the tires.

 

How do I tell if ball joints are bad other than just looking at them? FYI it has 184K on the clock. No wobble at all.

 

If you are lifted 3 inches with no wobble at all, I would call it good. At least from my menial experience.