Ball joint!! Happy Friggen New Year to me!! Ugh

Kinda like the Lunch Table.

 

It could cause issues with toe. The hole for the tie rod might not be in the exact same place. I needed an allignment after my ball joints anyway so I couldn't tell you how much of a difference it made. Probably minor though.

 

That’s incredibly small and really wouldn’t justify a $100 alignment.

I could drive to 5 different shops around here and each one would find a need to do a toe alignment even if it was in spec. after getting it done previously at another shop.

 

That's why I do my own alignment

 

I do down and dirty “shop alignments” after front end work. Think I’m within 25% of spec . I use the string method from the back tires forward and Jack stands to hold it level. I take the weight off the front tires to adjust then, lower and check again. I keep the steering wheel locked at center. Works OK I guess. What’s your method?

edit: this is usually a placeholder until I can get a pro alignment done. Or maybe my 2000 that doesn’t get driven much has this as its primary alignment

 

The 2000 has been driving on a grown mans alignment for about 5k miles. No vibrations at 80+, or unusual tire wear. Want to get the rear suspension fixed and am hunting a couple of sounds on the front end before I pay a "pro".

 

I get a reference line from each wheel (not tire) and mark the ground 6 feet fore and aft of each. Then measure the distance between the two front marks, and then between the two rear marks. If you were to have the exact same measurement, that would be toe zero. This is done of course with the steering dead center
The method I use to get said reference lines, is to source a block of some type that fits inside the outer lip of the wheel-face, and thick enough that the outer side is out past the rubber, so I can then put a straightedge pressed against it (80" Stabila) and get a true plane of the wheel itself, and transfer as a mark on the ground
Alternatively, you can use a laser but that's next level stuff. Same concept tho. Kinda but not really.
I've only adjusted toe, but I always check the camber because it's too simple not to.
FWIW, the only component in the front suspension that I have not replaced is the LCA's, so I have not had to remove the cambolts. Even with aftermarket coilovers, UCA's with uniballs, LBJ's, sway links, etc. I've only had to adjust toe, and truck drives great with even tire wear.

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