Installing Upper Ball Joints-87 Comanche Laredo 4wd

[Bull]

This should be ab easy answer but I have 2 different mechanic shops arguing about how to install a Moog HD upper ball joint. One says it is pressed in from the top down and the other says it is pressed in from the bottom up. Which is correct?

[gogmorgo]

The first couple seconds should answer it visually, as both ball joints are only partway in. I would suggest avoiding the shop that can't figure out the uppers go in from the top. It's pretty obvious once you're in there.

[Bull]

Thanks, great video and exactly what I had thought, too. I mean ball joints are ball joints even on a comanche 4wd.

 

Now for the tougher question. I put a 4.5" suspension lift kit that included the following:

  

Rusty's MJ Comanche 4.5" Spring Pack Kit

Front Shocks

2 x Rusty's RX100 Performance Shock: RX-36

Rear Shocks

2 x Rusty's RX100 Performance Shock: RX-13

Front Coil Springs

1 x Rusty's Coils - XJ 4.5" Front

Leaf Spring Pack

1 x Rusty's Leaf Springs - MJ - 4" - Rear (pair)

Lower Control Arm

1 x Rusty's Fixed Front Lower Control Arms (XJ,TJ)

Axle Type

4 x Rusty's Dana 30 / Dana 35 – U-Bolts - HD Grade 8 (each)

Front Track Bar

1 x Rusty's Track Bar - Adjustable Front (TJ,XJ,ZJ)

Rear Spring Bumper

 

At the same time I replaced Left/Right upper and lower ball joints, all front u joints, the steering dampner,and new wheels and tires (wheels-15x8 5x4.5 3.7INBS/ tires-31x10.5R15LT AT Sport). 

 

Now the steering wheel is off by 90 degrees (bottom is at 9 o'clock when it should be at 6 o'clock) and the vehicle won't align proper. What did I miss repairing/replacing? I'm thinking I need to get a matching pitman arm for the 4.5" lift? This is my Grand Daughter's truck so it has to be doe right and safe of course. Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

[gogmorgo]

Generally steering wheel misalignment is taken care of by adjusting the drag link. I don't think you'll want a drop pitman arm, as it will screw up your steering geometry. If you draw a line between the end points of the track bar, the line should be parallel with a similar line drawn through the end points of the drag link.

[Bull]

Thanks, I'll check it out and go from there. 

[DirtyComanche]

Make sure the track bar is set to the correct length so the axle is centered before you do anything else.

 

The steering wheel is adjusted to center by lengthening the drag link.  Set toe first by adjusting the tie rod.

 

Drop pitman arms are not a good idea unless you have a drop bracket for the track bar on the frame side, or a bracket on the axle that relocates that side higher.

[Bull]

I am no longer thinking about a Drop Pitman Arm as there has been a lot of good advice against it. I do think my problem will be found with the drag link length. I'll check the track bar, too. Thanks for the info.

[Eagle]

I am no longer thinking about a Drop Pitman Arm as there has been a lot of good advice against it. I do think my problem will be found with the drag link length. I'll check the track bar, too. Thanks for the info.

 

If you didn't install an adjustable track bar with the lift, that's your next purchase. A 4-1/2" lift will drag the front axle off center toward the driver's side by almost an inch. Some people try to "fix" that by drilling a new hole in the bracket at the axle end. IMHO that's a Bubba fix -- the correct way to do it is an adjustable track bar.

 

Once the axle is properly centered, THEN you can use the drag link to center the steering wheel.

 

[EDIT}I see from your parts list that you did use a Rusty's adjustable track bar. Be sure you have it adjusted correctly.

[Bull]

Thanks for the info and that sure does describe the problem so hopefully your advice will also be the solution.