Brian.
Member
Long day of wrenching (9am~4pm)... but I got a good bit done too.
Lower rear control arm bushings
Upper rear control arm bushings
OME 906 springs and some Bilstein 5160 shocks
I've got it nice, access to a lift just ~200 feet back up a driveway, along with most tools one could want/need (though most are geared towards Big trucks, my in-laws own/operate a water drilling company), but it's still hard work going it alone.
Man, I had a bear of a time with the upper control arm on the drivers side. Fought and fought that thing, then decided to just move ahead with the springs and shocks and hope that when the axle was dropped, I'd be able to line it up. Thankfully that worked out... still managed to destroy a ratchet-strap. lol, who'da thukn I'd need/use more than 500lbs of force. Bent the metal, had to cut the dang strap.
I also discovered both sway-bar end links are in need of replacement, the rubber boot over the ball joint is toast, and what little lithium grease is left in there is essentially congealed.
Also discovered a worrying issue in the brakes. I'm guessing the seals are starting to go as I had a slight residue in there. Nothing you could really Feel, but zero brake dust.... I checked the axle breather months ago and it moved, bought a replacement anyway. I don't imagine this is one of them "clean it up, replace the shoes, replace the breather and all's well" situations, is it?
BTW, this is over $1000 in OEM parts. Most of it is in the smaller box. Hurts, but I've had Great luck with putting a ton of time/money/effort in at the Beginning of ownership and then coasting trouble-free from then on. Even when "then on" is 15 years later...
Time to start getting my notes together for the front end.
Lower rear control arm bushings
Upper rear control arm bushings
OME 906 springs and some Bilstein 5160 shocks
I've got it nice, access to a lift just ~200 feet back up a driveway, along with most tools one could want/need (though most are geared towards Big trucks, my in-laws own/operate a water drilling company), but it's still hard work going it alone.
Man, I had a bear of a time with the upper control arm on the drivers side. Fought and fought that thing, then decided to just move ahead with the springs and shocks and hope that when the axle was dropped, I'd be able to line it up. Thankfully that worked out... still managed to destroy a ratchet-strap. lol, who'da thukn I'd need/use more than 500lbs of force. Bent the metal, had to cut the dang strap.
I also discovered both sway-bar end links are in need of replacement, the rubber boot over the ball joint is toast, and what little lithium grease is left in there is essentially congealed.
Also discovered a worrying issue in the brakes. I'm guessing the seals are starting to go as I had a slight residue in there. Nothing you could really Feel, but zero brake dust.... I checked the axle breather months ago and it moved, bought a replacement anyway. I don't imagine this is one of them "clean it up, replace the shoes, replace the breather and all's well" situations, is it?
BTW, this is over $1000 in OEM parts. Most of it is in the smaller box. Hurts, but I've had Great luck with putting a ton of time/money/effort in at the Beginning of ownership and then coasting trouble-free from then on. Even when "then on" is 15 years later...
Time to start getting my notes together for the front end.
