LOST JEEPS :: View topic - Frankenlift / Lower Ball Joint Question

Shortbus04 wrote:

Just this past weekend, i installed a frankenlift Premium II on my gf's Renegade. I then took it to get front end alignment. I was working with the technician and learning how to align a vehicle with IFS. What i noticed were two things that I wonder if anyone else running the same setup has seen...

Specs: 2005 Liberty, 15x8 cragars, 31x10.5 DC Mud Country, Frankenlift Premium II

Issue 1:
-The frankenlift gained so much extra lift that alignment was unable to go back to 0.0 specs of the factory. Current settings are -0.8 / -0.9 with 0.0 toe.

Issue 2:
-Due to the strain the frankenlift is putting on the IFS geometry, the lower ball joints (both left and right) had some grease pressed out. This is my biggest concern. Lack of grease is the leading cause of ball joint failure. I'm concerned that if this Liberty is taken off road and that ball joint is stressed and more grease leaks out, that is asking for a problem.

Has anyone run into these two issues? I'm trying to avoid buying newer upper and lower A-arms, but it seems to me that if this issue was a "normal" one, then i would've heard about it already from reading this forum / talking to the All-J techs.

Yes ball joint failure is a problem with some jeep libs thats why Al made these.

http://jeepinbyal.com/prod-Als_Upper_A_arms_for_02__07__lifted_Jeep_Liberty_s-2.aspx

Author:	Shortbus04 [ Mon Oct 20, 2008 10:28 am ]
Post subject:	Frankenlift / Lower Ball Joint Question
Just this past weekend, i installed a frankenlift Premium II on my gf's Renegade. I then took it to get front end alignment. I was working with the technician and learning how to align a vehicle with IFS. What i noticed were two things that I wonder if anyone else running the same setup has seen... Specs: 2005 Liberty, 15x8 cragars, 31x10.5 DC Mud Country, Frankenlift Premium II Issue 1: -The frankenlift gained so much extra lift that alignment was unable to go back to 0.0 specs of the factory. Current settings are -0.8 / -0.9 with 0.0 toe. Issue 2: -Due to the strain the frankenlift is putting on the IFS geometry, the lower ball joints (both left and right) had some grease pressed out. This is my biggest concern. Lack of grease is the leading cause of ball joint failure. I'm concerned that if this Liberty is taken off road and that ball joint is stressed and more grease leaks out, that is asking for a problem. Has anyone run into these two issues? I'm trying to avoid buying newer upper and lower A-arms, but it seems to me that if this issue was a "normal" one, then i would've heard about it already from reading this forum / talking to the All-J techs.

Author:	Drassis [ Mon Oct 20, 2008 10:40 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Frankenlift / Lower Ball Joint Question
Shortbus04 wrote: Just this past weekend, i installed a frankenlift Premium II on my gf's Renegade. I then took it to get front end alignment. I was working with the technician and learning how to align a vehicle with IFS. What i noticed were two things that I wonder if anyone else running the same setup has seen... Specs: 2005 Liberty, 15x8 cragars, 31x10.5 DC Mud Country, Frankenlift Premium II Issue 1: -The frankenlift gained so much extra lift that alignment was unable to go back to 0.0 specs of the factory. Current settings are -0.8 / -0.9 with 0.0 toe. Issue 2: -Due to the strain the frankenlift is putting on the IFS geometry, the lower ball joints (both left and right) had some grease pressed out. This is my biggest concern. Lack of grease is the leading cause of ball joint failure. I'm concerned that if this Liberty is taken off road and that ball joint is stressed and more grease leaks out, that is asking for a problem. Has anyone run into these two issues? I'm trying to avoid buying newer upper and lower A-arms, but it seems to me that if this issue was a "normal" one, then i would've heard about it already from reading this forum / talking to the All-J techs. Yes ball joint failure is a problem with some jeep libs thats why Al made these. http://jeepinbyal.com/prod-Als_Upper_A_arms_for_02__07__lifted_Jeep_Liberty_s-2.aspx

Author:	jeepkj02 [ Mon Oct 20, 2008 10:45 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Frankenlift / Lower Ball Joint Question
Drassis wrote: Shortbus04 wrote: Just this past weekend, i installed a frankenlift Premium II on my gf's Renegade. I then took it to get front end alignment. I was working with the technician and learning how to align a vehicle with IFS. What i noticed were two things that I wonder if anyone else running the same setup has seen... Specs: 2005 Liberty, 15x8 cragars, 31x10.5 DC Mud Country, Frankenlift Premium II Issue 1: -The frankenlift gained so much extra lift that alignment was unable to go back to 0.0 specs of the factory. Current settings are -0.8 / -0.9 with 0.0 toe. Issue 2: -Due to the strain the frankenlift is putting on the IFS geometry, the lower ball joints (both left and right) had some grease pressed out. This is my biggest concern. Lack of grease is the leading cause of ball joint failure. I'm concerned that if this Liberty is taken off road and that ball joint is stressed and more grease leaks out, that is asking for a problem. Has anyone run into these two issues? I'm trying to avoid buying newer upper and lower A-arms, but it seems to me that if this issue was a "normal" one, then i would've heard about it already from reading this forum / talking to the All-J techs. Yes ball joint failure is a problem with some jeep libs thats why Al made these. http://jeepinbyal.com/prod-Als_Upper_A_arms_for_02__07__lifted_Jeep_Liberty_s-2.aspx That's great for upper ball joints, but Shortbus was talking about the lowers. Get Moog K3199 ball joints. http://jeepinbyal.com/prod-Moog_Ball_Joint-323.aspx

Author:	Shortbus04 [ Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:44 am ]
Post subject:
Thanks for the references, but i wasn't referring to what ball joints or A-Arms to buy. I was referring to the change in geometry of the IFS and how it affects the lower ball joints. Purchasing new uppers will fix the upper issues since the new uppers are set on a greater angle then the ones from the factory. Purchasing new lower ball joints is only a band-aid fix from what i can tell. In the end, the lowers will still be seating in the lower a-arms the same way.

Author:	tommudd [ Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:49 am ]
Post subject:
75000 almost on my lift and no problems, replaced the stock lowers with Moog way back when and they are still good, KJ has 111,000 miles on it now and still going like a little pink rabbit! Plus on the Frankenlift it takes a while for it to settle, if you just installed it and didn't flex it out good then that is part of the problem right there. Also anytime you change the angles by lifting any vehicle you are going to have additional wear and tear, just goes go with lifting

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Author:	Skyjump136 [ Mon Oct 20, 2008 1:29 pm ]
Post subject:
I have been running a Frankie for almost 3 years with no failed LBJs. Keep in mind that over the first couple months the Frankenlift will settle SIGNIFICANTLY up front. Once it settles in it is one of the best out there...just be patient with it.

Author:	Shortbus04 [ Mon Oct 20, 2008 1:42 pm ]
Post subject:
Thanks for replies. Makes me feel a little better.

Author:	DryBones [ Mon Oct 20, 2008 3:16 pm ]
Post subject:
sounds like when I do my lift I will drive it a while to let it settle then replace the LBJ's with Moogs so they don't get damaged pre-settle. Still up in the air over AL's A-arms.

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