2wd Alignment

[js314bs]

I have 2 questions I need help with. I have a 2000 xlt with coil springs and A arms.
1. Will replacing the lower ball joints require an alignment? I have replaced them and eyeballing it they look like they did with the old ones and it drives straight. Can I push off getting them checked untill I get the new springs installed?
2. Are the a arms moved in their mounts to change the alignment (all the times my pos ifs 2wd dakota needed one thats what they tried to do), and if there is not enough movement in the system how is it brought into specifications? I'm tired of my 31's rubbing going over bumps so I'm getting leveling coils soon.
I found a place that does alignments for $30 (a hell of a lot cheaper than any national chain I've gone to), but they don't deal with lifted trucks often so if I need extra parts they won't have them in stock and I will have to bring them with me.

 

[bcost882]

how much leveling? 2in? 1.5? when ever you change something in your suspension you should get an alignment but if you plan on getting the springs soon it will be fine it rele wont hurt anything. just don't drive around for months on it. Yes the a-arms are moved in the mount, i don't know if there is enough stock adjustment in the stock bushings for it cause when i put on my lift spindles he had to change the bushings. even if there isn't they should be able to tell you what camber kit to get(what degree kit).

 

[js314bs]

Going for 2 inch coils, but since i have a supercab 3.0 I don't know if I will actually get that. So the things that are changed are the mounting points for the upper controll arm, there isn't something else that gets changed?

Oh, and I had another question for people who have replaced the ball joints on their trucks. Do they make noises with the wheel cranked all the way one side or the other or did I do something wrong (creaking or groaning)? Everything looks OK and I put grease into them untill is started to come out the cover on the bottom.

 

[bcost882]

dude i have had creaks off and on, they really shouldn't creak cause supposedly that is a seixing ball joint but i havent had a problem except my lower a-arm ball joint boots are torn apart. but what they do is rotate the upper a-arm bushings to a position (depending on the off set) to compensate for the lift.

 

[js314bs]

Thanks