Is this a bent housing or inner c's or both?

loki_racer

loki_racer

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2005
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
I can't tell if this is the axle housing, bent inner c's, or both. If I jack the axle up in the center of the housing, it pulls the wheels camber in so they sit exactly like they should, drive it 10 feet and they are back out to ricer racer camber levels. Ignore the puddle, that's my power steering resevoir/pump pissing.

The driver ball joints are new.

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Yep I'd say unit bearings. Does it do the same thing when you go forward and backwards or just one or the other? If it does in fwd then you're toed out. If it's in rev. you're toed in.

The drivers C does look bent also.
 
A new(ish) driver side unit bearing was put in with the new ball joints. The passenger side is fairly new. I jacked up the wheels and can't get either of them to wiggle around, which I guess is the easy test to see if they are bad. Any other ideas?

Going to take it to the local shop in the morning and see if someone with more experience can tell me if they see the problem.
 
Check your upper control arms. If they get bent bad, wich they do while racing, it will do the same thing. I did this on my TJ one time....
 
loki_racer said:
If I jack the axle up in the center of the housing, it pulls the wheels camber in so they sit exactly like they should, drive it 10 feet and they are back out to ricer racer camber levels.
Click to expand...

If the axle housing or C's was bent it would be the same all the time. Since it changes it is something loose. Even though you put new ball joints in it that could still be the problem or bearings. Jack up one side and start wiggeling the tire and see what does and does not move.
 
Using a fulcrum under the tire while up in the air & somebody watching the movement of the ball joints & bearing may make it easier to see.
 
Drove it to the Meineke this morning. Guys there said they think the C's are bent, but weren't sure.

Originally, I thought it was all the time, but it only cambers out when I back it up. If it stays in drive and only moves forward, there is no noticeable camber.

Thoughts?
 
loki_racer said:
Drove it to the Meineke this morning. Guys there said they think the C's are bent, but weren't sure.

Originally, I thought it was all the time, but it only cambers out when I back it up. If it stays in drive and only moves forward, there is no noticeable camber.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Did they try to align it or just tell you it was bent. Still sounds to me like you're toed in. Esp. Since you say it only does it in reverse.
 
I'm not an expert, but I don't think it's toe. The wheels are slanted in from top to bottom when looking at the XJ from standing in front of it. I did some searching, and am fairly sure it's camber.

They didn't try to align, that was $70 if I wanted them to attempt it.

The unit bearing is new. Maybe it came jacked up from the store. Not sure of the chances of that. Stock gears, so I believe 3.55.

Anyone in Charlotte that wants to take a look at it can. I will come meet them, or if you're bored you can swing by. At this point, I'm probably going to write the entire housing off as a lose and swap with a new housing.

Iron Rock truss was ordered today, and I think after Christmas I have access to a D30 and 8.25 29 spline.
 
Yeah, and toe in/out will pull the tires away so it looks like the camber is fawked up.
 
I have also had too much caster and poor toe make it look like i had crazy excessive camber. It will do more than you think....
 
Yep like they said. If the tires are toed in. When you back up the bottom of the tires will drive away from each other. If you want to bring it to my shop this week I'll set the toe for you and we'll know for sure. I'm just out past uncc a few miles. I'll be glad to look it over for you and see what I can tell in person. It won't cost you anything and maybe we can get it figured out.
 
MarsFab said:
Yep like they said. If the tires are toed in. When you back up the bottom of the tires will drive away from each other. If you want to bring it to my shop this week I'll set the toe for you and we'll know for sure. I'm just out past uncc a few miles. I'll be glad to look it over for you and see what I can tell in person. It won't cost you anything and maybe we can get it figured out.
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Way to step up!!!! here's to ya...:beer::huggy:
 
If you are ever in the Belmont area, give me a shout. I can take a look at it for you.
 
MarsFab said:
Yep like they said. If the tires are toed in. When you back up the bottom of the tires will drive away from each other. If you want to bring it to my shop this week I'll set the toe for you and we'll know for sure. I'm just out past uncc a few miles. I'll be glad to look it over for you and see what I can tell in person. It won't cost you anything and maybe we can get it figured out.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the help. Any chance I can drop by Saturday? I'm slammed with work this week and can't get away during the work week.
 
Yep that would be fine. Give me a shout before you head out. Altoids is bringing down the monster jeep to redo the rear shock mounts and that wont take long so any time after 10 will work. 704-361-0928 thanks Chris.
 
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