I've got a long road to hoe with this one, but I'm hopefully starting a whole front-end undercarriage refresh as it's all rusted to hell. I've got stuff leaking, broken, whining, grinding, and wobbling all over the place, so it's long overdue. If anything it just speaks to how much abuse and neglect these trucks can take - they're perfect for poor people like me.

That said, here's a list of things that need servicing:

• Wheel bearings
• CV joints and spindle (basically the whole knuckle on the passenger side)
• Steering rack
• Tie rod ends
• All bushings
• LBJ
• UBJ
• All brake components
• Both differentials
• Transfer case
• Of course suspension and top mounts
•And don't forget all the rusted hardware that will be impossible to get off, much less use again.

To start, I'm going to replace the wheel bearings because my passenger one is throwing grease, noise, and EATING that tire. While I'm in there, I'm going to replace that CV, seals, rotor, and caliper as well. Anything else I should do while I'm in there?

As I said, this is a long road ahead, but I'm too emotionally attached to this truck to just let it go.

One item to check is the needle bearing in the diff on the driver's side. That's a known weak point and given how trashed the rest is may well be suspect. I just replaced mine with a solid bushing from East Coast Gear Supply and the return to smoothness is clear. It can be changed with the diff in place once the CV is out.

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-14...e-bearing.html

The passenger side has a beefy ball bearing and should not be an issue.

@TheDurk I will definitely be replacing that as well (even at $60, yikes!). I'm wondering just how far into the diff I should replace. It seems like everything from the hub into the clamshell needs to be replaced... is that reasonable, too much, or not far enough. Looks like gear oils been leaking around the clamshell too... I'm thinking axle seals at the least?

Seals and that one bearing should do it. If you mean it is leaking at the clamshell junction itself, that is something else. That would mean pulling the diff, which is a PIA. Timmy the Toolman has a video.

@TheDurk I don't think it's the clamshell itself, so it must be either the seals or - I've been reading about this - the breather tube can get clogged or pulled off the top of the diff. Any experience with this or how to fix it without removing the whole diff?

Sorry, no. Sometimes it can be the power steering system leaking on to the diff. Very different smells and colors if you get some on a paper towel.

Baby powder is amazing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm about to buy this. Do I need the install and/or removal tool they are selling with it?

thanks for making this thread, been looking for one like it as im planning to do about the same thing. no rust, but all bushings could use a refresh and everything down there could use some service.

You need SOMETHING. I have a blind slide puller that worked great.

This one:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Very useful piece of equipment.

To install, I used an inverted socket.

If you don't have a puller, you'll have to invent something similar to their tool.