Why Would You Use Offset Ball Joints? (Explained)

If you are upgrading your car’s performance, you may be interested in changing the wheel alignment to enjoy better handling and grip on the road.

One of the things your mechanic or experts may recommend is switching to offset ball joints.

Also, if your car has been experiencing steering and suspension issues, offset ball joints can help you achieve your desired camber and caster angles.

why use offset ball joints

What are Offset Ball Joints?

Most of us are used to ordinary ball joints. After all, they are a mandatory requirement in all cars. Ball joints are spherical bearings that connect the steering knuckles to the control arm.

Ball joints comprise a socket and bearing stud enclosed together. Ball joints are often covered by a special rubber that ensures the part remains lubricated and doesn’t wear faster than expected.

When servicing your car, you should inspect the condition of the ball joints to avoid wheel alignment issues.

Offset ball joints are similar to typical ball joints, only that they are designed to adjust caster and camber angles.

They can be positioned in angles the stock ball joints can’t endure so that car owners can achieve their desired alignment at the front end of the vehicle.

They are not very different from ordinary ball joints except that they offer more room for wheel alignment.

For vehicle owners that want to improve grip, and handling, and align the front end of their vehicles, these offset ball joints would be a great choice. This type of ball joint can be used on trucks, SUVs, and sports cars.

Why Should I Use Offset Ball Joints?

As mentioned earlier, one would need offset ball joints if they want to adjust their camber and caster angles. That is often brought about when your inner axle tube is tweaked or bent.

When driving around with the latter, your camber is expected to be off by a few degrees. That can be dangerous because your vehicle won’t be easier to handle, especially at high speeds.

In instances where your camber or caster is off, the typical ball joint won’t be able to do its job effectively. That’s where offset ball joints come in handy. These allow you to adjust the camber and caster angles to suit the height and steering of your vehicle.

Offset ball joints can also help you set the caster equally if you have tweaked a specific part of the suspension. If you are setting up the offset ball joints, it’s essential to know that the caster angles for both wheels are not supposed to be equal.

The wheel that is on the driver’s side is supposed to have a lower caster angle. This ensures the vehicle can resist drifting more toward the right side of the vehicle.

In case your mechanic can’t manually align your wheels, you must install offset ball joints to prevent drifting of the car.

Most people always find out they need to use offset ball joints later on when their wheels are being aligned. Before switching to offset ball joints, have the mechanic check if the wheels are toeing in.

How Will I Know that I Need Offset Ball Joints?

First, this issue primarily affects Jeeps Wranglers because of their large tires. If you own a performance car, you may also run into caster or camber issues.

A regular car won’t need offset ball joints not unless you want to exaggerate caster and camber angles for aesthetics.

You will know that you need offset ball joints when you take your car for servicing and wheel alignment.

When mechanics check your wheel alignment, they will see if the camber or caster angles are out of proportion and recommend offset ball joints.

It’s essential to listen to your mechanic because even if you don’t realize it, driving with the wrong caster and camber measurements can affect the car’s handling, which is dangerous.

You may also know that you need offset ball joints if the current ones are making clicking noises when you turn the steering wheel.

This means that the protective rubber seal has worn out, and water and debris have found their way into the ball and socket, which accelerates wear.

It’s crucial to replace the offset ball joints whenever the need arises. Though tiny, these joints play a critical role in your vehicle’s performance and suspension system.

Should I Switch to Offset Ball Joints If the Camber is Slightly Out?

Even though we may be a little further into the article, we should clarify some of these alignment terms for those who may not know what they mean.

Camber is the outward or inward tilt of the tire. Maintaining a neutral camber is vital since it ensures the tire and the road meet evenly, ensuring the car has a grip on the road.

After some time, your wheel’s camber may be slightly out. This will call for a change from ordinary ball joints to offset ball joints.

The latter will allow you or the mechanic to adjust the camber so that your vehicle has a better grasp of the tarmac.

Suppose your mechanic tells you that your camber is slightly out. The decision as to whether to switch to offset ball joints will depend on their definition of slight.

If the camber is a degree or two out, you can save the money you would have used to buy offset ball joints. But if it’s more than that, you should invest in an offset ball joint and avoid trouble in the future.

Are Offset Ball Joints Bad?

Not at all. They are the exact opposite. Offset ball joints enable you to align your wheels for better handling and performance strategically.

The primary reason car owners think offset ball joints are bad is that they are forced to buy them by their mechanics when they take their vehicles in for an alignment.

Considering that they are more expensive than regular ball joints, you may feel like you have been ripped off.

You have to understand that mechanics have different levels of experience and expertise. To some, the slightest difference in camber and caster angles calls for offset ball joints.

Always ask your mechanic to exhaust all options, such as setting the toe of the wheels and seeing if it will deal with the current alignment issues.

You may also ask them to adjust the control arms. That will help you avoid buying offset ball joints.

You should, however, not have a negative perception of offset ball joints. They aren’t very bad. They aim to give you a smoother ride and enhance your car’s safety.

How Much Are Offset Ball Joints?

Depending on the brand, offset ball joints can range from $150 to $300. Moog is a famous brand that sells quality offset ball joints. In most cars, you may need one or two offset ball joints for every side.

If your vehicle needs only one, you will buy two. That will cost you less than $500. When you factor in the installation costs, the prices can range from $700 to $1000.

Understandably, their cost is higher than that of typical ball joints, which may discourage some car owners. But it would be best if you considered safety over price.

If My Handling Is Okay, Do I Need Offset Ball Joints?

Not really. Some mechanics take advantage of the fact that most people aren’t familiar with camber and caster readings. The good thing about cars is that they will inform you if something is wrong.

The vehicle will behave funny when your camber or caster is too positive or negative. It may drift on its own. Or the steering may not return to the center after making a turn.

Before buying offset ball joints, evaluate the performance of the car. How are the handling and steering? If everything is fine, you don’t have to replace ordinary ball joints with offsets.

Car owners need to make a habit of inspecting their ball joints from time to time. This will help you avoid surprises in the future when you visit your mechanic.

If your gut feeling says that your mechanic isn’t genuine, you can always check elsewhere and get a different opinion. If you are advised to switch to offset ball joints, don’t hesitate to do so.

Do Offset Ball Joints Hold Up?

Offset ball joints hold up pretty well on both stock and lifted vehicles. If you have upgraded your car’s suspension, there is a massive chance that stock ball joints will wear out pretty fast.

But, when you replace them with offset ball joints, they are designed to withstand these new changes/requirements. They would, therefore, hold on for much longer.

Offset ball joints are not very popular, so you will have to visit various stores before you can get some. Correcting your wheel alignment is very important.

Therefore, you should dedicate time, effort, and resources to ensure your car’s steering and handling perform correctly.

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