New ball joint wander

1

13jkjunky

New member
Hello all, recently changed all 4 ball joints with dynatrac ball joints on my 21’ JTR. While it was apart I ended up changing the brakes, hub/bearing assemblies and added a metal cloak sector shaft brace.

Upon reassembly and first test drive the steering and driving of the jeep is…. Scary lol. I’m aware that new ball joints can be sticky and reduce return to center for a few hundred miles, which I definitely am experiencing. But, the jeep now wanders a bit now which it didn’t do before.

My last alignment I was set at 1/16” total toe in, and 6 degrees of caster on the driver side and 6.4 on the passenger side. New ball joints shouldn’t have changed that in any way.

The wandering is definitely new and scary. I really don’t like how it drives. Is it normal after new ball joints? Should it resolve after break in?
 
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13jkjunky said:
Hello all, recently changed all 4 ball joints with dynatrac ball joints on my 21’ JTR. While it was apart I ended up changing the brakes, hub/bearing assemblies and added a metal cloak sector shaft brace.

Upon reassembly and first test drive the steering and driving of the jeep is…. Scary lol. I’m aware that new ball joints can be sticky and reduce return to center for a few hundred miles, which I definitely am experiencing. But, the jeep now wanders a bit now which it didn’t do before.

My last alignment I was set at 1/16” total toe in, and 6 degrees of caster on the driver side and 6.4 on the passenger side. New ball joints shouldn’t have changed that in any way.

The wandering is definitely new and scary. I really don’t like how it drives. Is it normal after new ball joints? Should it resolve after break in?
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When I replaced my ball joints (synergy) the steering was really sticky and it wandered really bad. So bad I wouldn't let anyone drive it but me. Per their instructions it said it would take 300-500 miles to loosen up. Mine took nearly 1500 miles before it was finally driving normally again. Not sure about the dynatracs but this is what you may be experiencing because the tight ball joints not allowing the wheel to self center.
 
13jkjunky said:
Hello all, recently changed all 4 ball joints with dynatrac ball joints on my 21’ JTR. While it was apart I ended up changing the brakes, hub/bearing assemblies and added a metal cloak sector shaft brace.

Upon reassembly and first test drive the steering and driving of the jeep is…. Scary lol. I’m aware that new ball joints can be sticky and reduce return to center for a few hundred miles, which I definitely am experiencing. But, the jeep now wanders a bit now which it didn’t do before.

My last alignment I was set at 1/16” total toe in, and 6 degrees of caster on the driver side and 6.4 on the passenger side. New ball joints shouldn’t have changed that in any way.

The wandering is definitely new and scary. I really don’t like how it drives. Is it normal after new ball joints? Should it resolve after break in?
Click to expand...
I would still check over your alignment. Depending on how badly your ball joints were worn last time you aligned it, fresh parts can throw the previous spec off. Anytime suspension/steering parts are replaced I always recommend an alignment.
 
TrailHunter said:
Check your Draglink, Tie Rod Ends, Double Check your Toe... Try removing the Steering Stabilizer for a while until they loosen up a little.
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There’s no noticeable play in any of them. I have ordered new just to replace just because. The stabilizer is oem as is the tie rod and drag link. 21 JTR with 50k.
 
jesse3638 said:
When I replaced my ball joints (synergy) the steering was really sticky and it wandered really bad. So bad I wouldn't let anyone drive it but me. Per their instructions it said it would take 300-500 miles to loosen up. Mine took nearly 1500 miles before it was finally driving normally again. Not sure about the dynatracs but this is what you may be experiencing because the tight ball joints not allowing the wheel to self center.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I can’t tell if it’s truly a wander or if it’s just because the steering still has slight play and is now sticky so it takes more correction to overcome the stick and actually move the wheels.
 
cozdude said:
I would still check over your alignment. Depending on how badly your ball joints were worn last time you aligned it, fresh parts can throw the previous spec off. Anytime suspension/steering parts are replaced I always recommend an alignment.
Click to expand...
The ball joints didn’t indicate any noticeable play prior to replacement. The main reason I replaced them was because I was getting a little shimmy at driving speeds and had read that the ball joints could be related. They were original with 50k on them and an unknown amount of time with 37’s (I’ve only owned it for a month and it came with 37’s.) I checked them multiple times prior and there was never any sign of play or movement.
 
13jkjunky said:
There’s no noticeable play in any of them. I have ordered new just to replace just because. The stabilizer is oem as is the tie rod and drag link. 21 JTR with 50k.
Click to expand...
50k on the factory Tie Rod & Drag Link is a lot if you wheel it. I'd still pull the Stabilizer off and see if that helps a little..... Did for me when I installed the Dynatrac BJ's. And if you feel some steering wheel shake after pulling the Stabilizer... for sure the Tie Rod and or Draglink joints are worn.
 
TrailHunter said:
50k on the factory Tie Rod & Drag Link is a lot if you wheel it. I'd still pull the Stabilizer off and see if that helps a little..... Did for me when I installed the Dynatrac BJ's. And if you feel some steering wheel shake after pulling the Stabilizer... for sure the Tie Rod and or Draglink joints are worn.
Click to expand...
Ive only owned it 1.5 months. No wheeling under my ownership but I’m sure it saw some light wheeling under prior owner.
 
My Dynatracs felt tight for 1,500 miles. That said, I wouldn’t describe it as ‘scary.’

It was a welcome change to have my knuckles tight and responsive after my blown out factory ball joints that had like +1/8” of play.

My dyantracs have been great for years. I rebuilt them at ~4 years in.

Plus, what cozdude said. Basic alignment is always a good thing to do.
 
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