Front End "Refresh"

TowMeOut · 2018-06-24T16:02:25+00:00

I've been digging through various threads trying to piece this together without much luck. If there's already a better discussion please point me in the right direction. I was out wheeling with some friends a few weeks ago and got a chance to turn my truck into a boat. So out came the carpet and seats. Then another "fun" symptom of my water play was a starter that just made a loud "click". While I was under the truck wrenching (and swearing) I did a lot of looking around. It seems my inner CV boots are yet again starting to puke some grease so that's not good. The lower balljoints are also showing some signs of boot failure. To top it off, looks like I have a bad diff seal at one of the CVs. My truck is about to bounce over 150K so I figure it's a good time to give the front end some love. Has anyone else just done a front end "refresh" rather than a piecemeal replacement of worn parts? It would seem to me that while I might end up replacing a few parts prematurely, it's going to be less hassle and possibly less money in the long run from extra labor and alignments. Anyone have a laundry list of parts to check/replace and some nuggets of wisdom on the process? Here's what I'm thinking to do all at once but I haven't really torn into it yet: Definitely gonna replace... Lower balljoints (they're likely shot and the grease is leaking) CV reboot or more likely shaft replacement Diff axle seals (mandatory) Need to check but will probably replace... UCAs.....I found some from a 5th gen with low mileage for free. It looks to me like swapping the arm with a new balljoint is much easier/simpler than trying to press out/in a new one. Inner/outer tie rod ends (need to check for slop in rack first) Swaybar bushings (can be done anytime but this seems like a good opportunity) LCA bushings (I've heard these can be a bear to remove the old ones) What else am I missing that would be a "good idea" while everything is torn apart? I haven't tried to break the alignment bolts loose yet but my truck isn't terribly rusty. I don't expect these to be a problem. Since it's not absolutely necessary to tear that apart and I don't have any strange "clunks" in the front the LCAs may just stay put for now. I'm not sure what kind of improvement in ride or handling I'd get from doing those bushings. Again, feel free to flame or point me toward some other comprehensive threads.

Thread starter TowMeOut
Start date Jun 24, 2018

Quiero

New member

Jul 19, 2018

gmhotch said:
I've replaced some of the items here you describe, I would personally stay away from RockAuto, some of the Moog stuff I got there was junk. YMMV

YMMV of course also, but I've done a few vehicle front end rebuilds with all MOOG RockAuto parts and I've never had an issue. They drive like new after doing it. Small sample size of course