Expy Overhaul

[rburch]

There is already someone who has spoke for the hubs.
But here are the front end parts i bought.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390122774714?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
You will have to measure the idler arm bolts middle of bolt to middle of bolt because there are 2 or three bolt pattern!

 

[Expeditionary]

wow! holy hell thats cheap. (inexpensive) I'm probably going to order the kit this week.
I priced some of that kit on LMC a while back because I have seen this coming for a while now and it was a good 2-3x as much for the same stuff!

I wanna paint all my front suspension either blue (so it looks like i have a really little fabtech) or red (rancho) hahaha

 

[rburch]

I installed the same brand/kit on a Jeep that made the trip to TN. and around the mountains there and its still holding up!

 

[rburch]

Starting on the trans today! Wish me luck! I may need it! Thank god I will have air tools!

 

[battmanf16]

What a great set of posts! Question, the pictures of the UCAs look like they were pre-installed with bushings. Why did you remove the stock bushings and replace with another? Also, why not use the stock/existing UCA and simply install new bushings?

Where did you order the hubs?

If I mis-understood your post, please pardon my ignorance.

2002 4X4, XLT, 5.4L

 

[rburch]

I replaced the UCA bushings with polyurethane bushings because they last longer than the stock rubber bushings and help keep the front geometry correct when turning because they are stiffer than the rubber.

It is easier to just replace the UCA because by the time you need ball joints the rubber bushings are destroyed. And the suspension kit i bought came with new UCA and i wanted poly bushings so i changed them.

I ordered the hubs from ebay. Its kinda an experiment to see how good they are.

 

[toms89]

Found some time to install my Energy Suspension Bushings today and made a video on how to remove the stock bushings. Didnt make a video of the install because its self explanatory and wasnt difficult at all.

All you do to install is lube the bushings with grease and they slide right in by hand and re-use the inner sleeve and end caps. I recommend getting some additional grease because the grease that is supplied isnt enough.

You could also drill and tap for grease zerks so you can grease them if they ever get dry and squeaky.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxzBie157lA

Nice video but occasionally there is audio drop out and you seem to move at hyper speed.

I really need to address my stock bushings soon because they are in sad shape. This video should help greatly! Thanks for taking the time and effort to make this video.

 

[battmanf16]

I replaced the UCA bushings with polyurethane bushings because they last longer than the stock rubber bushings and help keep the front geometry correct when turning because they are stiffer than the rubber.

It is easier to just replace the UCA because by the time you need ball joints the rubber bushings are destroyed. And the suspension kit i bought came with new UCA and i wanted poly bushings so i changed them.

I ordered the hubs from ebay. Its kinda an experiment to see how good they are.

Thanks! You rock!

 

[rburch]

Nice video but occasionally there is audio drop out and you seem to move at hyper speed.

I really need to address my stock bushings soon because they are in sad shape. This video should help greatly! Thanks for taking the time and effort to make this video.

Thanks Tom! You might do a little more searching than I did and could find them a little cheaper. I paid 95 for the set. Prothane is another brand alot of Lightning guys use and are I believe a little cheaper.

Oh I am training to be the first man to beat a 12 second Expy in the 1/4! LOL!

 

[Kevo]

how did you like the quality of the front end parts? ive debated on using an ebay kit but im paranoid about quality issues.

 

[rburch]

how did you like the quality of the front end parts? ive debated on using an ebay kit but im paranoid about quality issues.

I like the kit. No fitment problems at all! And every thing had grease zerks!

And as for durability I installed the same brand kit on a Jeep Grand Cherokee and it made the trip to Tenn. and has been beat on around the mountains there and has about 25,000 mile on it and there hasn't been any issues!

 

[rburch]

Didn't get to the trans over the weekend! All my help was busy. Shooting for this weekend!

Also found a new problem! Since i have installed all the front end parts i still have a vibration at 72+mph that I can feel in the steering wheel. Got home today with some daylight left so i crawled under it and did some investigating. The front drivers side axle has some up and down play. I would guess its at least 1/16 of an inch. Very little play on pass side. So i checked Autozone and found axle shaft bearings and was wondering if this would fix the problem?

 

[Kevo]

slightly off topic but how do you like your intake? i was thinking about getting that one but i ussually sport for K&N

 

[rburch]

I like it! Would like it better if it had a better heat shield! But it works good! Adds a nice throaty sound under the hood also!

 

[SkyJumper]

The front drivers side axle has some up and down play. I would guess its at least 1/16 of an inch. Very little play on pass side. So i checked Autozone and found axle shaft bearings and was wondering if this would fix the problem?

I would not go that route as I would bet that has nothing to do with the vibration. I would be looking at a possible out of balance tire/ I usually have my tires road forced balanced and that usually is right on to the tee. Road force balancing is the only way to go with truck tires. Or depending on the tire condition, you may have a bad cord or seperated cord or belt as some call them.

 

[rburch]

I thought it had to have something to do with the axle because there is also a clicking that is noticeable at low speeds and the axle shaft has play where it exits the axle tube.

It was there before I replaced all the front end parts and is still present.

Not saying I dont have a bad tire. Might be two different problems.

 

[Big Red Monster]

just one question burch and Im going off topic sorry lol. in your signature you say you have a 4.6 Liter, i thought the eddie Bauers only came with the 5.4 liter engine? I have never seen a 4.6 eddie bauer lol

 

[rburch]

Well you've seen one now! Vin code is W and that is a Romeo 4.6!

I have seen a couple of EB around KC that are 4.6.

 

[Big Red Monster]

intresting around here they all are standard with the 5.4 liter lol

 

[Kevo]

intresting around here they all are standard with the 5.4 liter lol

his color is also different ive never seen that blue on any expy here in Washington