Ball joint issue?

[KendraG]

I bought an 06 TJ for my son two years ago and have envied his ride ever since. Recently he was gifted a newer ride and I gladly sold my VW to scoop up that TJ as my own. I immediately noticed it was driving really rough and took a glance underneath to find this hot mess. All my googling tells me it’s a ball joint issue but I’d like a second opinion from all the TJ experts…please tell me I’m not totally off.

 

[macleanflood]

My wild guess would be a leaking inner axle seal.

-Mac

 

[hear]

Can you be more specific about the rough ride? I've seen plenty worse in the way of ball joints. Truth is the jeep is 20 years old and if the steering/suspension hasn't been refreshed it's entirely possible lots of things could be a factor.

 

[KendraG]

Can you be more specific about the rough ride? I've seen plenty worse in the way of ball joints. Truth is the jeep is 20 years old and if the steering/suspension hasn't been refreshed it's entirely possible lots of things could be a factor.

When we bought it the ride was smooth so it hasn’t always been this way. But today when I got in it, the steering wheel was kind of jerking back and forth at all speeds and I felt like I was all over the road. I asked my son if he noticed any changes in the drive and he said it’s slowly gotten a little rougher over the last few years. He’s usually really good with maintenance and he’s the one who does all the auto work when needed, so I was a little surprised when he let this happen without notifying anyone.

 

[KendraG]

My wild guess would be a leaking inner axle seal.

-Mac

Would that cause the extra rough ride or is that another issue all together?

 

[macleanflood]

Would that cause the extra rough ride or is that another issue all together?

Another issue altogether.

Sounds like you have a plethora of deferred maintenance to catch up on.

You can ignore the leaking seal for a while as long as you check the fluid level in the diff regularly.

As to the rough idle issue, start here:

Thread 'How to clean your IAC (Idle Air Controller) valve'

Jan 2, 2016

If you're experiencing idle issues on your Jeep Wrangler TJ the most likely culprit (and the first thing you should check) is your IAC (Idle Air Controller). Often times the IAC gets very gunked up causing the Jeep to idle improperly. A simple cleaning is usually all it takes to get it running as good as new.

If you end up needing to replace your IAC valve (they do fail on occasion), you can find the part numbers (and the links to purchase them on Amazon) below:

2005-2006 IAC Valve (Part # 4861552AC)
1997-2004 IAC Valve (Part # 4874373AB)

There is no need at all...

• Chris
• iac idle idle air controller idle valve
• Replies: 191
• Forum: TJ How-to Guides

• 

-Mac

 

[KendraG]

Can you be more specific about the rough ride? I've seen plenty worse in the way of ball joints. Truth is the jeep is 20 years old and if the steering/suspension hasn't been refreshed it's entirely possible lots of things could be a factor.

Also, I bought him a 4” lift for it last Christmas and he tells me it was a suspension lift and not a body lift. Not sure if that means his suspension was refreshed or if that helps with any diagnosing/recommendations.

 

[macleanflood]

Also, I bought him a 4” lift for it last Christmas and he tells me it was a suspension lift and not a body lift. Not sure if that means his suspension was refreshed or if that helps with any diagnosing/recommendations.

Not without specifics like the brand or more detailed pictures of the suspension. Some, few, lift kits are great and most have a lot of bad parts and terrible compromises.

You're definitely going to want to do a dry steering test too.

-Mac

 

[KendraG]

Not without specifics like the brand or more detailed pictures of the suspension. Some, few, lift kits are great and most have a lot of bad parts and terrible compromises.

You're definitely going to want to do a dry steering test too.

-Mac

 

[KendraG]

It was the RoughCountry 4” Lift. https://www.roughcountry.com/product/configurable/jeep-suspension-lift-kit-907s

I’ll start looking into this dry steering test, that something I haven’t heard of yet.

 

[macleanflood]

Let's start with getting it running well, then fix everything that's leaking and worn out, then help you define your goals and prioritize upgrades.

Other ancillary questions: You're running 35s? Did you regear the axles? Are you running the stock PCM?

-Mac

 

[KendraG]

Let's start with getting it running well, then fix everything that's leaking and worn out, then help you define your goals and prioritize upgrades.

Other ancillary questions: You're running 35s? Did you regear the axles? Are you running the stock PCM?

-Mac

Absolutely agree. I’m not looking to upgrade or change anything, as I love it as is…I’m just incredibly worried about the shaking and jerking during the drive that wasn’t there when I purchased it. It feels like a serious issue but again, I could be totally off.

He had 35’s put on it a few months ago. The axels were not regeared when he switched to the bigger tire though. We replaced the PCM two years ago when we were having an issue that turned out to be a bad alternator.

 

[JKP]

If the wheel is jerking back and forth, and you aren't braking, it's usually worn, unbalanced front tires. You may also have worn steering/suspension components that make it worse.

Post some pics of the front tire tread. Is it cupped?

If it gets to the point of death wobble, you are in for a scary experience the first time it happens.

 

[KendraG]

If the wheel is jerking back and forth, and you aren't braking, it's usually worn, unbalanced front tires. You may also have worn steering/suspension components that make it worse.

Post some pics of the front tire tread. Is it cupped?

If it gets to the point of death wobble, you are in for a scary experience the first time it happens.

The darker picture was taken just now but because of the lighting/darkness you can’t really see details. The brighter picture was taken last week and might offer a better idea of what you’re looking for.

 

[JKP]

They aren't bad, but I would start with a rotate and balance to eliminate that from the equation.

 

[macleanflood]

Further reference...tape measure and some patience will get you good results...

Thread 'How to align your Jeep Wrangler TJ'

Oct 31, 2015

Here's how to check and adjust your own toe-in that also includes how to center the steering wheel as well as re-center the axle if necessary. With just a little care on your part with nothing more than a tape measure, a big set of pliers, and a wrench, you can easily set your toe-in with as much accuracy as an alignment shop can. Really.

Start after making sure the front axle is properly centered. That may involve adjusting the trackbar's length which can only be done if there's an aftermarket adjustable-length track bar installed. Or if the original OEM track bar is still installed and...

• Jerry Bransford
• alignment lj alignment tj alignment
• Replies: 400
• Forum: TJ How-to Guides

• 
• 

-Mac

 

[KendraG]

Further reference...tape measure and some patience will get you good results...

Thread 'How to align your Jeep Wrangler TJ'

Oct 31, 2015

Here's how to check and adjust your own toe-in that also includes how to center the steering wheel as well as re-center the axle if necessary. With just a little care on your part with nothing more than a tape measure, a big set of pliers, and a wrench, you can easily set your toe-in with as much accuracy as an alignment shop can. Really.

Start after making sure the front axle is properly centered. That may involve adjusting the trackbar's length which can only be done if there's an aftermarket adjustable-length track bar installed. Or if the original OEM track bar is still installed and...

• Jerry Bransford
• alignment lj alignment tj alignment
• Replies: 400
• Forum: TJ How-to Guides

• 
• 

-Mac

I appreciate the detailed explanations. When we have auto issues, I’m usually in charge of diagnosing the problem and my son is in charge of the physical labor. Having a detailed explanation (that I haven’t created myself from a bunch of different sources) makes his work a lot easier.

 

[JKP]

Once you know it's aligned and the tries are balanced, if it's still doing it, it's time for him to get under there and check the ball joints, tie rods, and track bar for slop.

 

[KendraG]

Once you know it's aligned and the tries are balanced, if it's still doing it, it's time for him to get under there and check the ball joints, tie rods, and track bar for slop.

That’s what we were both thinking but wanted to run it by some more TJ knowledgeable folks first. After replacing the PCM two years ago unnecessarily (we had a bad alternator and bought a brand new bad alternator…which led us to believe our PCM was the reason the jeep wouldn’t hold power…because who would’ve thought a brand new alternator could be bad) I don’t want to make any more “repairs” that aren’t called for. You guys saved us last time and we’re hoping yall will save us again.