Ball Joint spacer question.

mtrdrms · 01-31-2007, 01:35 PM

After installing the spacers will I need an alignment right away or will I be able to drive it for a while until I can get the alignment done? I know it says on 4crawlers web site to get an alignment, but I am wondering just how out of alignment it will be.
89 4runner, 1.5 inch spacers.

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mastacox · 01-31-2007, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtrdrms

After installing the spacers will I need an alignment right away or will I be able to drive it for a while until I can get the alignment done? I know it says on 4crawlers web site to get an alignment, but I am wondering just how out of alignment it will be.
89 4runner, 1.5 inch spacers.

You can measure the distance from the top of your rim to your fender. If you crank your t-bars such that with the BJ spacers on that distance is the same, your alignment will be the same. As soon as you start increasing that distance you will need to get an alignment, unless you don't care about your tires.

mtrdrms · 01-31-2007, 01:44 PM

but if I loosen the t'bars and the distance between the rim and the fender has not changed then I have not gained any lift from my spacers. I am hoping to achieve 1.5 inches of lift from my spacers without touching my t'bars. So are you saying that I will need an alignment right away? Is it driveable (safe)?

mastacox · 01-31-2007, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtrdrms

but if I loosen the t'bars and the distance between the rim and the fender has not changed then I have not gained any lift from my spacers. I am hoping to achieve 1.5 inches of lift from my spacers without touching my t'bars. So are you saying that I will need an alignment right away? Is it driveable (safe)?

Well, if you want lift you'll need an alignment (sorry). It will be "safe" to drive on, but your tires will get scrubbed so better hope it's only a few miles to the alignment shop.

You can always try a little "shade-tree alignment" to help things out, but in the end you'll need a real one.

da_bigg_wigg · 01-31-2007, 02:04 PM

Just get er aligned. Work to the ball joints - alignment = your truck handling like a turd

AxleIke · 01-31-2007, 02:46 PM

you can drive around for a little while on the unaligned truck, but about 200 miles, and you'll start to see noticeable wear. Put them in, drive to the shop, get it aligned. Simple

Bill · 01-31-2007, 03:25 PM

When I put BJ spacers on my "old" 92 4Runner, I think I put about 250kms on before I got an alignment. I didn't have any noticable wear on the tires (33x12.5 MTRs...I miss them), but there was a noticable increase in handling once I got it done.

**Tofer** · 01-31-2007, 04:01 PM

try to find a place that will do "lifetime warranty" alignments.. if you wheel your truck you'll need alignments often enough to justify the higher upfront cost.

Stomis · 01-31-2007, 04:45 PM

And if your thinking about it dont crank your tbars over the 1.5in the BJ spacers give you. Your just asking for angle trouble.

Babypig · 01-31-2007, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill

When I put BJ spacers on my "old" 92 4Runner, I think I put about 250kms on before I got an alignment. I didn't have any noticable wear on the tires (33x12.5 MTRs...I miss them), but there was a noticable increase in handling once I got it done.

Hey Bill, you don't happen to have those spacers around anymore do you? I'm about to do the whoole front end and was thinking of putting some of these in.

01-31-2007, 01:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
mtrdrms Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: CT Posts: 389	but if I loosen the t'bars and the distance between the rim and the fender has not changed then I have not gained any lift from my spacers. I am hoping to achieve 1.5 inches of lift from my spacers without touching my t'bars. So are you saying that I will need an alignment right away? Is it driveable (safe)? __________________ 89 4unner 3.0 5 speed 98 Tacoma 2wd, 2.4, AT, 225k 71 FJ40 Project I have already searched.

01-31-2007, 02:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
da_bigg_wigg Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Halifax, NS Posts: 1,250	Just get er aligned. Work to the ball joints - alignment = your truck handling like a turd __________________ -1992 4Runner (Medallist Edition) Still given 'er 16 years later -Santa Cruz Bullit -Giant STP1 -Empty Wallet Adam

01-31-2007, 02:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
AxleIke Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Boulder, Colorado Posts: 4,890	you can drive around for a little while on the unaligned truck, but about 200 miles, and you'll start to see noticeable wear. Put them in, drive to the shop, get it aligned. Simple __________________ 1987 Mutant 4runner\|Slightly Modified\|Lacking general build direction -Lifts and Tires look cool at the Mall, Lockers and Gears look cool on the trail. -Internet Nice Guy

01-31-2007, 03:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
Bill Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Calgary, AB, Can Posts: 690	When I put BJ spacers on my "old" 92 4Runner, I think I put about 250kms on before I got an alignment. I didn't have any noticable wear on the tires (33x12.5 MTRs...I miss them), but there was a noticable increase in handling once I got it done. __________________ 86 Turbo Pickup EB Street RV head EB 268 Cam V6 Brakes + MC A340F auto ---> W56 5-spd swap ...I want a bigger turbo...

01-31-2007, 04:01 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tofer Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tacoma WA. Posts: 6,912	try to find a place that will do "lifetime warranty" alignments.. if you wheel your truck you'll need alignments often enough to justify the higher upfront cost. __________________ 94 4runenr: all the good stuff....... 89 4runner: 3.0, Auto, 5.29 lockright f/r. 31x10.5 wildcountry ATs. 81 2wd pickup: 22R \| 5-sp \| long bed \|Civic SI seats \| LockRight \| Hella 500s pacific-crawlers.com For all your Trail-gear and HID lighting Solutions Needs check out yotaworks.com Online store coming soon :)

01-31-2007, 04:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
Stomis Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Point Pleasant NJ Posts: 630	And if your thinking about it dont crank your tbars over the 1.5in the BJ spacers give you. Your just asking for angle trouble. __________________ 87 Chevy- Flatbed, dana 44 lockright, Custom 10.5 14 bolt lockright, 36 TSL radials

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