06 Balljoints and lift question

Universeman · **Posted:** Sat Jun 24, 2006 8:01 pm

Ok two part thread here, I've heard alot of talk about balljoints going bad/contacting the spring, was this issue addressed for the 06 KJs and if so what changes were made and if not what should I do for preventitave maintenance? My KJs a 06 CRD and intend to wheel it wherever it will take me within the limitations of the design, IE 2.5" lift 245/75r16 MTRs, full skids, bulderbars & Bullbar with winch. As for the lift does anyone out there use a OME lift with 1" spacers and how well does it work? and are the HD springs/shocks HD eneugh for a CRD with a bullbar and 6-8K lb range winch? also which is better a strut spacer or a spring spacer?

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sat Jun 24, 2006 8:38 pm

I believe all off the later models have the official heatshield - which doesn't fix the problem - The Moog brocure which is floating around on one of the Ball Joint threads points to the problem as an area of the joint that catches dirt & water which abrades / corrodes - and of course no way to grease the joint.
I check mine with wheel rotations (MTR's so 3000 miles) and I'm going to replace them with Moog's soon
As for the lift - the Frankenlift is basically OME's with an additional spacer - and the heaviest OME's are not enough to support the CRD by itself - Winch and bumper just make it worse - I think the only current CRD lift is Daystar front - although the CRD Frankenlift puts it on an OME strut for better control. If your strut spacer is on On The Top - it will kill the strut - try a search on OTT lifts.

JFortier777 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 24, 2006 9:18 pm

I just had my UBJs and LBJs replaced this week. I ahve a 2.5" lift and regardless of lift type your BJs will still go bad eventually.
Your time spent offroad and degree of hardcore jeep-ness will define how quickly.

They only way to get around it is to replace them with Moogs, top(Al's arms) and bottom. Then get a frankenlift.

Your other option is only drive on the street, period.

Edit: NOTE: i have 7k on my liberty and only 5k with the lift.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sat Jun 24, 2006 11:14 pm

JFortier777 wrote:

I just had my UBJs and LBJs replaced this week. I ahve a 2.5" lift and regardless of lift type your BJs will still go bad eventually.
Your time spent offroad and degree of hardcore jeep-ness will define how quickly.

They only way to get around it is to replace them with Moogs, top(Al's arms) and bottom. Then get a frankenlift.

Your other option is only drive on the street, period.

Edit: NOTE: i have 7k on my liberty and only 5k with the lift.

They go bad if you drive on the street also. Ive heard of alot of people stock that drive on road only and they loose a wheel.

JFortier777 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 24, 2006 11:56 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

They go bad if you drive on the street also. Ive heard of alot of people stock that drive on road only and they loose a wheel.

I was talking about lifted vehicles.

It is assumed that no matter waht you do the LBJs will crap out eventually, but because the lift kit will accelerate that process the stock problem is no longer worth noting.

My appologies for the confusion.

PitViper · **Posted:** Sun Jun 25, 2006 8:38 am

The best thing to do is replace the LBJ's with moogs when you do the lift.

Lift or no lift you will need to replace them sooner than latter. Mine started going bad at 11k and my dads where really bad at 24k.

RedJeepCRD · **Posted:** Sun Jun 25, 2006 9:47 am

Having lifted two different libertys four different ways I think the best way to lift it is as follows.

Jeepinbyal.com upper control arms with gressable balljoints and go ahead and order the lower Moog Ball joint while you there.

Then use a good lift, i.e. Franken Lift or Rustys to get your 2.5".

See about getting yourself a good set of Heavy duty CV made for your jeep. (costly but well worth the investment)

Get all the Skids, rockrails, bumpers, winches.

Then add a two ARB Lockers, and the Front Diff Collar for added security.

That should a very stout offroader and pretty reliable transportion for everyday use. This would give you the best all around setup.

Wes

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

I've been running lifts on my 2003 KJ for nearly 45,000 miles. I still have the original LBJs and no movement whatsoever. Luck of the draw I guess. Weird.

nolakj · **Posted:** Mon Jun 26, 2006 11:34 am

I just put my Rusty's on this weekend and my CV agles look really good. No way I'm spending th $$ to have custom CVs made when I could be skipping straight to the lockers. And where are the reaer LCAs on the list. Keeping those rear tires on the ground will keep you moving forward. Just my .02

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

but because the lift kit will accelerate that process the stock problem is no longer worth noting.

How have we proven that lifts will accelerate the process? Do we have stats to back up this claim? Also, I think the stock problem is DEFINITELY worth noting. There are a lot of stock KJs out there. ALL of them are potential LBJ failures. Likely, a lot of unlifted KJs have experienced LBJ failure without the owners realizing this is a common KJ problem.

06 Balljoints and lift question

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