Do I really need this work done?

tonytony9

New member
Recently I brought my 08JKU to a a shop down the shore that I have never been to before. When my rig was in at my mechanic less then two weeks ago to have the radiator replaced I had him look over the front end to see if it would need anything other than an alignment, he thought no. He wanted me to bring the jeep for an alignment at a place which specializes in Jeeps since he does not do wheel alignments.

When I brought the jeep down to this specifically jeep only shop they came back to me with an estimate of about $1,300 instead of just an alignment. They said I would need new Tie Rod ends and ball joins (they want to put in Synergy Jk Suspension Chromoly Tie Rod & Synergy or Dynatrac Pro Steer ball joints).

My mechanic is very trust worthy and has always told me what needs to be done and what does not; however, he is a european not Jeep specialist like this other shop.

About 10k miles ago I brought my truck in for new tires and to fix the death wobble at my tire shop and they replaced Tie Rod Inner (the end from the drag link to the pitman arm), the tie rod adjustment sleeve, and drag link ends. Though, I do get a slight, weird shake from around 45-60 mph, the steering is clearly crooked, and the truck does not like to drive straight on the highway.

Is there any help the forums can provide it would be greatly appreciated!!
 

WJCO

Meme King
Recently I brought my 08JKU to a a shop down the shore that I have never been to before. When my rig was in at my mechanic less then two weeks ago to have the radiator replaced I had him look over the front end to see if it would need anything other than an alignment, he thought no. He wanted me to bring the jeep for an alignment at a place which specializes in Jeeps since he does not do wheel alignments.

When I brought the jeep down to this specifically jeep only shop they came back to me with an estimate of about $1,300 instead of just an alignment. They said I would need new Tie Rod ends and ball joins (they want to put in Synergy Jk Suspension Chromoly Tie Rod & Synergy or Dynatrac Pro Steer ball joints).

My mechanic is very trust worthy and has always told me what needs to be done and what does not; however, he is a european not Jeep specialist like this other shop.

About 10k miles ago I brought my truck in for new tires and to fix the death wobble at my tire shop and they replaced Tie Rod Inner (the end from the drag link to the pitman arm), the tie rod adjustment sleeve, and drag link ends. Though, I do get a slight, weird shake from around 45-60 mph, the steering is clearly crooked, and the truck does not like to drive straight on the highway.

Is there any help the forums can provide it would be greatly appreciated!!

You can check for play yourself at those joints by having someone start the Jeep and turn steering back and forth while you visually look at the joints. If steering wheel is off, that can be adjusted via the draglink adjustment sleeve.

As far as not driving straight, rotate front tires side to side and see if it pulls the other way, could be a tire pull. If that doesn't correct it, check your caster angle, both sides should be the same. Camber can also cause a pull, but it has to be way off and isn't typical on a Jeep unless you bent something or your ball joints are really shot.

You CAN also measure both lower control arms from bolt to bolt, each side should be the same measurement, if one side is a shorter length, the arm is bent.
 
Simple way to check.

Have a friend come over. Jack the front end up to get the tires off the ground. Put stands under it so that it's stable. Move tires back and forth at the 12 and 6 o'clock position and check for play in your ball joints. If they're really bad you will be able to see play by hand. First signs of wear requires use of something to pry. *Very* minor movement is usually normal. Speaking of just a hair over 1 mm.

Set vehicle back on the ground and have your friend turn the steering back and forth and look for play at your rod ends. As far as shake, that could be a number of things. Steering being crooked, you'll have to be more specific on that one.
 

tonytony9

New member
Simple way to check.

Have a friend come over. Jack the front end up to get the tires off the ground. Put stands under it so that it's stable. Move tires back and forth at the 12 and 6 o'clock position and check for play in your ball joints. If they're really bad you will be able to see play by hand. First signs of wear requires use of something to pry. *Very* minor movement is usually normal. Speaking of just a hair over 1 mm.

Set vehicle back on the ground and have your friend turn the steering back and forth and look for play at your rod ends. As far as shake, that could be a number of things. Steering being crooked, you'll have to be more specific on that one.

to put it in the simplest form I feel as if I must hold the steering wheel slightly to the right in order to just keep the truck straight.
 

brizon85

Member
I was having this issue myself( specifically the steering wheel wobble around 50-60 mph) I've got a synergy high steer kit , new ball joints , new tie rod ends and had and alignment done, new steering stabilizer new track bar and drag link. Even with all that I still get a shimmy around 50-60 mph. So I'm thinking it's my tires. I've been running on bfg all terrains for a good 4-5 years with around 50k or more miles. One is pretty worn down compared to the rest.
 

Dalton gang

New member
I was having this issue myself( specifically the steering wheel wobble around 50-60 mph) I've got a synergy high steer kit , new ball joints , new tie rod ends and had and alignment done, new steering stabilizer new track bar and drag link. Even with all that I still get a shimmy around 50-60 mph. So I'm thinking it's my tires. I've been running on bfg all terrains for a good 4-5 years with around 50k or more miles. One is pretty worn down compared to the rest.

Tire pressure will do that to
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
Recently I brought my 08JKU to a a shop down the shore that I have never been to before. When my rig was in at my mechanic less then two weeks ago to have the radiator replaced I had him look over the front end to see if it would need anything other than an alignment, he thought no. He wanted me to bring the jeep for an alignment at a place which specializes in Jeeps since he does not do wheel alignments.

When I brought the jeep down to this specifically jeep only shop they came back to me with an estimate of about $1,300 instead of just an alignment. They said I would need new Tie Rod ends and ball joins (they want to put in Synergy Jk Suspension Chromoly Tie Rod & Synergy or Dynatrac Pro Steer ball joints).

My mechanic is very trust worthy and has always told me what needs to be done and what does not; however, he is a european not Jeep specialist like this other shop.

About 10k miles ago I brought my truck in for new tires and to fix the death wobble at my tire shop and they replaced Tie Rod Inner (the end from the drag link to the pitman arm), the tie rod adjustment sleeve, and drag link ends. Though, I do get a slight, weird shake from around 45-60 mph, the steering is clearly crooked, and the truck does not like to drive straight on the highway.

Is there any help the forums can provide it would be greatly appreciated!!

First off, unless you have aftermarket adjustable steering and suspension components installed, there is NOTHING an alignment shop can do except adjust your toe, recenter your steering wheel and take your money. And, unless you've bent your tie rod, there's no need to adjust it even if you've installed a lift. If you have installed a lift, your steering wheel will NEED to be recentered but you can do that yourself with a 15mm wrench and 3 minutes of your time.

If you're getting a speed related shake or shimmy, it's most likely a tire balance issue.
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
I was having this issue myself( specifically the steering wheel wobble around 50-60 mph) I've got a synergy high steer kit , new ball joints , new tie rod ends and had and alignment done, new steering stabilizer new track bar and drag link. Even with all that I still get a shimmy around 50-60 mph. So I'm thinking it's my tires. I've been running on bfg all terrains for a good 4-5 years with around 50k or more miles. One is pretty worn down compared to the rest.

As I had mentioned to the OP, a speed related shimmy is almost always a tire balance issue.
 

A.J.

Active Member
Recently I brought my 08JKU to a a shop down the shore that I have never been to before. When my rig was in at my mechanic less then two weeks ago to have the radiator replaced I had him look over the front end to see if it would need anything other than an alignment, he thought no. He wanted me to bring the jeep for an alignment at a place which specializes in Jeeps since he does not do wheel alignments.

When I brought the jeep down to this specifically jeep only shop they came back to me with an estimate of about $1,300 instead of just an alignment. They said I would need new Tie Rod ends and ball joins (they want to put in Synergy Jk Suspension Chromoly Tie Rod & Synergy or Dynatrac Pro Steer ball joints).

My mechanic is very trust worthy and has always told me what needs to be done and what does not; however, he is a european not Jeep specialist like this other shop.

About 10k miles ago I brought my truck in for new tires and to fix the death wobble at my tire shop and they replaced Tie Rod Inner (the end from the drag link to the pitman arm), the tie rod adjustment sleeve, and drag link ends. Though, I do get a slight, weird shake from around 45-60 mph, the steering is clearly crooked, and the truck does not like to drive straight on the highway.

Is there any help the forums can provide it would be greatly appreciated!!

Basically you can learn how to check them yourself as others have described. You can also have the shop show you what is bad and why. A reputable shop should know the value of educating its customer. They should be completely willing to show you how it works. You can measure for yourself how confident and willing they are to help you. I don't think they are giving you bad advice so far necessarily, but it does seem like they would rather just upgrade everything as opposed to finding the cause of your complaint.
 

tonytony9

New member
I was having this issue myself( specifically the steering wheel wobble around 50-60 mph) I've got a synergy high steer kit , new ball joints , new tie rod ends and had and alignment done, new steering stabilizer new track bar and drag link. Even with all that I still get a shimmy around 50-60 mph. So I'm thinking it's my tires. I've been running on bfg all terrains for a good 4-5 years with around 50k or more miles. One is pretty worn down compared to the rest.

My tires are practically brand new so have already eliminated that, but that's unfortunate you are still having that problem
After all that work
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
My tires are practically brand new so have already eliminated that, but that's unfortunate you are still having that problem
After all that work

Being that your tires are practically brand new, I would definitely try to have the rebalanced and on a road force balance machine.
 

tonytony9

New member
Basically you can learn how to check them yourself as others have described. You can also have the shop show you what is bad and why. A reputable shop should know the value of educating its customer. They should be completely willing to show you how it works. You can measure for yourself how confident and willing they are to help you. I don't think they are giving you bad advice so far necessarily, but it does seem like they would rather just upgrade everything as opposed to finding the cause of your complaint.

Going to try some suggestions today and then write back. Thanks everyone.
 
Last edited:
Top Bottom