2009 JKL Alignment Question

67Customs · **Posted:** Wed Nov 17, 2010 5:11 pm

My dad just purchased a new set of tires and had them mounted and balanced on his 2009 unlimited.

When he inquired about an alignment, the guy told him that he needed to replace the ball joints to do an alignment on a JK.

I mean, if they are so bad that he can't get them into alignment, I can see that, but he didn't even look at them to know. The way he said it was like you had to replace them on every JK when you do an alignment. This doesn't sound correct to me.

Is this true?

daspes · **Posted:** Wed Nov 17, 2010 7:40 pm

Uhh no. Third alignment on my JK, and still the stock set of BJ's.

67Customs · **Posted:** Wed Nov 17, 2010 10:34 pm

Well, apparently, after some more research, you have to add an offset adjustable balljoint in order to adjust the camber on a '09 JK, if that adjustment is needed.

I honestly can't believe anyone would make a vehicle that you can't adjust this on from the factory, but that is what vehicles are moving towards these days.

So stupid.

daspes · **Posted:** Wed Nov 17, 2010 10:42 pm

If the camber is out that much he has a bent axle tube.

67Customs · **Posted:** Wed Nov 17, 2010 11:11 pm

Owned since new, no wrecks, doesn't wheel, nothing that would damage the axle tube. Nothing even hard enough to bend a wheel or bust a tire.

daspes · **Posted:** Thu Nov 18, 2010 7:18 am

The one weak spot on The new 30/44's is the tubes and knuckles. They get bent on the street too.

Just saying it's impossible for the camber to be off without a bent tube or knuckle.

thebigtman · **Posted:** Mon Dec 06, 2010 3:34 pm

If you can measure, you can do your own alignment on the JK. You are only adjusting toe in/out. Camber should be unnecessary as daspes said.

1. Center the steering wheel
2. Jack up front axle and support with jackstands.
3. Make a vertical mark on the face of the driver's side and passenger's side tread (when looking from front of vehicle). Alternatively, you can put a screw in a thick lug. This is the most accurate way I've found since it allows you to take the measurements without an additional body.
4. Measure from mark to mark or from screw to screw. Write down the measurement. It's helpful to take your measurement at about the 10 o'clock position on each wheel because once you rotate the tire (step 5) you can clear the underside of the Jeep easily.
5. Rotate the tires 180 degrees. Take the measurement again as you did in the front. Write down the measurement.

If your front measurement is 65" and the rear is 65 1/4, you have 1/4" of toe in. I have played with toe in/toe out and neutral. Neutral tends to wear the best but it can allow for wander on the highway. Usually 1/8"-1/16" toe in will be sufficient.

DirtyKK · **Posted:** Mon Dec 06, 2010 3:41 pm

wish it were that easy on a Liberty!

67Customs · **Posted:** Tue Dec 07, 2010 9:49 pm

Thanks for the info everyone.

He went to a second shop and the camber was fine. They corrected the toe and all was good.

I don't know what the first shop was looking at other than his wallet.

2009 JKL Alignment Question

Who is online