front end overhaul

[twisted]

saturday started the front end overhaul of my 04 eddie... so far the lower ball joints are done, both front struts, 2in spacers, both upper control arms, 2 stablizer links, both front hubs, new brake pads .... whats left is 4 tie rod ends and rack and pinion.... next week may start the rear end if the rear hubs ever show up... thinking ill need an all around alignment after all is done. unfortunately i bought this truck used and the previous owner didnt take care of it at all. but when im done it will be like new... front end costs.. 560. rear end 490. shame my son broke our camera otherwise i couldve had some timeline pics for everyone

 

[the dj]

front end

If you don't mind me asking where or what parts are you using-factory oem or aftermarket-Thanks!

 

[twisted]

mostly moog parts. struts are pre assembled. if i look at local places i pay higher. athough i did get my upper control arms off ebay. anymore i cant trust ebay as for ive been burned too many times. if you want the places i purchased these items i can look em up for you.

 

[KWT2000]

MOOG conponents are top notch quality

 

[twisted]

well ok its been along day and the front end is done... in between my daughters fighting, my son crying and the wifey having a fit cause im workin on the truck.. id say...( ive had enough and im beat) ... now im thinkin strategy for next weekend for struts, balls joint, hubs, spacers, ect for the rear end. and ill be done for the winter. hey the truck is paid for it owes me nothing so why cant i put alittle blood, sweat , and cash into it. i must of said that 5 time to her today.. she ******* anyway. ok ill just go get a new expy... i almost got the your an a**hole....

 

[trdragons44]

well ok its been along day and the front end is done... in between my daughters fighting, my son crying and the wifey having a fit cause im workin on the truck.. id say...( ive had enough and im beat) ... now im thinkin strategy for next weekend for struts, balls joint, hubs, spacers, ect for the rear end. and ill be done for the winter. hey the truck is paid for it owes me nothing so why cant i put alittle blood, sweat , and cash into it. i must of said that 5 time to her today.. she ******* anyway. ok ill just go get a new expy... i almost got the your an a**hole....

which hubs are you using?? im putting lower and upper ball joints on my dads f250 fun fun time...im asking cause im going to to do the same to my 97 when she hits 200,000 miles(less than 14,000)...i have to do lowers now but im planning on uppers, hubs, bushings, tierod ends, pads, maybe rotors if i need them(less than 2 yrs old), and swaybar links(if need be)...so far thats all i have planned.

 

[gwinnch]

Did you replace just the lower ball joints or did you have to do the whole lower control arm? If just the ball joint how hard were they to press out & in? I have an '03 2wd, no air shocks, that I've been told has to have the whole arm replaced, instead of just the ball joint, due to the aluminum control arm not being press friendly.....

 

[twisted]

i replaced 4 upper control arms and pressed in lowers.. not a problem at all to do. The fact that the lowers are alunimun does not have a factor at all. The hubs im not sure of exactly what brand they were but since i have replaced them its been smooth sailing and yes i replaced all 4. I would recommend not getting them from local parts store as for most used reman parts.. stores like autozone, advanced, pepboys... not advisable. I looked hard to find brand new hubs and found a guy on ebay that sold new hubs for a fraction of the price per hub meaning inner and outer. i paid 400. for all my outer hubs and additional 180 for the inners. Ask the important question before you buy is it a reman or a new part. i did replace my front driversside hub about 2 yrs ago and bought it from advanced auto not knowing anything and the hub failed in less then 2 yrs... finding out that it was a reman well you know where i went with that. if anyone wants the name of the guy on ebay i can post it. but this guy buys overstock from manufactures and sells them for great prices.. all new parts no remans

 

[cdherman]

Hey twisted, assuming you are still following this forum and thread...

What about your CV joints? Did you replace any of them? Consider it?

Sound like you did what I am contemplating. My expy has 164k miles so I am thinking that while I have things apart, CV joints might be an OK idea as well. I got a pair from rock auto for $57 each. Pretty amazing, and they are new, not remaned, for the front.

But the rear, I am wondering what your expereince there was. How did the ball joints there look?

 

[99 Expy]

which hubs are you using?? im putting lower and upper ball joints on my dads f250 fun fun time...im asking cause im going to to do the same to my 97 when she hits 200,000 miles(less than 14,000)...i have to do lowers now but im planning on uppers, hubs, bushings, tierod ends, pads, maybe rotors if i need them(less than 2 yrs old), and swaybar links(if need be)...so far thats all i have planned.

I replaced all of my suspension on my 99 last summer, and it wasn't too bad. If you go with moog ball joints, you will have to buy the entire upper control arm, because they don't make a ball joint to fit the stock one. When I did mine, the lower ball joints were pretty easy. I rented a ball joint tool from the parts store (you pay the price for the tool. I think it was like 130, then if you bring it back in one piece when you are done, you get all your money back). Since the upper control arm comes with bushings, you are good there, but I replaced my lower bushings to. Major PITA!!! Don't do it if they are ok. My torsion bars wouldn't come out, and since I had time, I took the entire assembly apart with the torsion bars too. Everything else is pretty straight forward and fairly simple.