New Ball Joints on the Wrangler but now it drives like ass.[Fresh POTS!...er.. Updates!]

"ClassicDatsunDebate" (gmagnusson) 09/16/2020 at 16:34 • Filed to: None

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After I installed new brakes last weekend, I got a local very trusted shop to press in some new ball joints and front axle u-joints. The resonance and Pre-death rattle is gone...all solid like...but now the steering is heavy and it doesn’t come back to center. Seems like you’re fighting it all along.

Searching the internet, it seems to be split evenly between “ definitely wrong” to “ normal, BJ’s have to wear in”. I’m going to do an alignment tomorrow but I’m wondering if anyone has any Jeep experience with new ball joints and if they found similar driveability issues. Normal or am I going to invariably kill pedestrians?

UPDATE! I called the shoppe that did the ball joint replacement and they told me that I shouldn’t need an alignment and to bring it back because something doesn’t sound right. They inspected their work and couldn’t find anything amiss. The new knuckle u-joints weren’t the causing the stiffness but the knuckles were very very difficult to swivel. They selected the nuclear option and swapped that brand (which were more expensive btw) with the blue and yellow brand. All’s right with in the Jeep world again. Drives awesome without the vibrations and what I call pre-death wobble. Rock solid baby!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > ClassicDatsunDebate 09/11/2020 at 23:32

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Pardon my ignorance, but it sounds like you're describing it feels like it has no power steering at all now, requiring too much input and no usual taste for return to center when turned but a few degrees?

ClassicDatsunDebate > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/11/2020 at 23:35

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Yes, that’s what it feels like.  There is PS....I’ve confirmed by turning the wheel while parked....it’s just that you are fighting to keep it on center and you have to correct manually.

Just Jeepin' > ClassicDatsunDebate 09/11/2020 at 23:35

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Admittedly, my LJ has never had fantastic steering, but I had my ball joints relpac ed multiple times (sigh, don’t ask) and never had that problem.

ClassicDatsunDebate > Just Jeepin' 09/11/2020 at 23:37

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Good to know, thanks!

Brickman > ClassicDatsunDebate 09/11/2020 at 23:38

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The joints have been greased?

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > ClassicDatsunDebate 09/11/2020 at 23:40

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Did they touch any other part of the steering/suspension? Could you have extreme positive toe in?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > ClassicDatsunDebate 09/11/2020 at 23:40

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Interesting. It's not uncommon to have been "used" to suspension problems and then have to adjust yourself and expectations after a proper fix (ie, you forget how the vehicle used to drive when it didn't need servicing)... Buuuuuut... I'm hoping your alignment will knock it back closer to what it ought to be.

sn4cktimes > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 09/11/2020 at 23:51

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I was thinking maybe something along these lines. Or perhaps the drag link needs to be adjusted to re-centre the steering. Is the steering wheel centred when the wheels are straight? Not sure about the “tight” feeling. I changed my ball joints and tie rod ends about every 12 months along with my unit bearings, springs, and shocks due to off- r oad ing the crap out of it with large tires. But never had tight steering feeling after any change. Did you have a different kind or make of joints installed? Like when someone installs poly vs rubber bushings.

ClassicDatsunDebate > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 09/11/2020 at 23:52

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I had a quick check and the tie rod hasn’t been touched. I didn’t think to check the drag link but an alignment wasn’t in the scope and I know they were busy so I don’t think they would have monkeyed with anything unrequired.

ClassicDatsunDebate > Brickman 09/11/2020 at 23:53

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Good question...I did notice new grease around the boots when I looked under there.

ClassicDatsunDebate > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/11/2020 at 23:55

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That’s what I’m hoping too.  Wife wanted to do some backroading tomorrow with her paranormal group but she’s not comfortable driving it on the freeway like it is now.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > ClassicDatsunDebate 09/11/2020 at 23:55

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Usually this type of work makes things better not worse. 

ClassicDatsunDebate > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/11/2020 at 23:58

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I did fix the typical warn ball joint symptoms...rattles, looseness.  Unintended consequences I guess.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > ClassicDatsunDebate 09/12/2020 at 00:12

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Is it possible to over tighten the ball joints?

HammerheadFistpunch > ClassicDatsunDebate 09/12/2020 at 00:20

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Sounds like they messed with the steering box ball tension. There is, at least on my toyota, a screw that adjusts the tension of the recirculating balls in the steering box - too loose = Disney steering. Too tight and you get exactly what you describe, difficult, no return to center.

Is there a chance they messed with it?

ClassicDatsunDebate > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/12/2020 at 00:50

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No, their on a tapered shank.  The castle nuts are just to keep them on.

ClassicDatsunDebate > HammerheadFistpunch 09/12/2020 at 00:52

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I know exactly what you mean. I’ll check the screw adjustment nut  on the steering box but I highly doubt it.

sn4cktimes > ClassicDatsunDebate 09/12/2020 at 00:52

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They could’ve undone the drag link or tie rod to get more working room. Due to frequency of changes my parts were never terribly seized in place except for the very first time I did them. I had to undo the steering components to really swivel the knuckle over to get a grinder in there. If they undid either it would change your alignment. I had full blown mud tires on my JK so vibrations and such were part of the package deal. So finesse-level changes would've never been noticed on such rumbly tires. Hopefully the alignment solves it for you.

ClassicDatsunDebate > sn4cktimes 09/12/2020 at 01:04

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I could tell the tie rod wasn’t changed....the rust on the lock collar nuts  wasn’t disturbed.  I didn’t look up at the drag link but I’ll check it in the morning.  Thanks.  I’ve got OEM sized geolanders on it....which are a great upgrade over the Wrangler M/S I put on a few years ago.

Nick Has an Exocet > ClassicDatsunDebate 09/12/2020 at 02:59

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Does the Jeep have swaybars? This can happen on Miata’s if the sway bars are overtightened. 

notsomethingstructural > ClassicDatsunDebate 09/12/2020 at 07:55

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“ Wife wanted to do some backroading tomorrow with her paranormal group but she’s not comfortable driving it”

Love every word of this

ClassicDatsunDebate > Nick Has an Exocet 09/12/2020 at 10:26

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Yes but it’s linked to the axle tube.

Tohru > ClassicDatsunDebate 09/12/2020 at 10:41

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If they took the suspension arms off to press in/out ball joints and then tightened up the suspension arm mounting bolts at full droop you’d have some suspension issues.

“am I going to invariably kill pedestrians?”
not unless they swapped in Mustang parts.

ClassicDatsunDebate > sn4cktimes 09/12/2020 at 11:22

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They are OEM so I’m guessing Spicer.  I’m hoping all will be revealed with an alignment 

Just Jeepin' > ClassicDatsunDebate 09/16/2020 at 16:47

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Glad that got sorted. I’m getting closer to having the freedom to drop my Jeep off at a shop and leave it there until everything is working properly.

Or until Spring returns. Whichever comes first. 

HammerheadFistpunch > ClassicDatsunDebate 09/16/2020 at 16:47

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were the original ones they put in moog per chance?  They seem to be kinda hit and miss lately.

DipodomysDeserti > HammerheadFistpunch 09/16/2020 at 16:51

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Don’t tell me this!

Recently swapped out UBJs, LBJs and endlinks on the Tundra with Moogs (because greasable).

lone_liberal > ClassicDatsunDebate 09/16/2020 at 16:51

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So the Moog fixed it? Interesting. I put Moog in my Camaro but those are ancient parts.

ClassicDatsunDebate > HammerheadFistpunch 09/16/2020 at 16:53

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No, the Moog ones actually fixed the problem....this time.

HammerheadFistpunch > DipodomysDeserti 09/16/2020 at 17:08

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When they are good, they are some of the best you can get, but it seems like some are just crap.  hopefully you got the good stuff.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > HammerheadFistpunch 09/16/2020 at 17:26

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I seem to have gotten the good ones for my Vette, its been great after i replaced em.

arl > notsomethingstructural 09/16/2020 at 17:59

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You have to be comfy when chasing ghosts. 

shop-teacher > ClassicDatsunDebate 09/16/2020 at 21:25

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Glad the shop did right by you.