Finally finished Suspension parts R&R
Finally finished Suspension parts R&R
I Am happy to say I finally finished the entire Bushing replacement as well as all other items (Ball Joints, Inner-Outer tie rods) It took me a lot longer then what I figure it would have before my back injury, This has slowed me way down as well as caused me to take days off due to being barely able to walk after over doing it a few times.
All in all I will say I was impressed with how I was able to complete all of this from in front of my house with out a lift or ability to use a creeper. I will say my previous investment of a 21 Gallon Compressor about 150' of air hose and my 1/2 in impact. AIr hammer etc. was a life saver.
The upper control arms only cause me an issue on one as the inner sleeve was rusted to bolt and I had to basically BBQ the bushing out (Yes my propane torch died so I used my BBQ)
The Lower Ball joints was a bit more of a issue I had to actually use my 1" Combination wrench as a extension to the 7/8 that fit my Ball joint press to get enough pressure to push out old one and press in new ones
The hardest off all was the Rear as I did not want to remove the leaf's from the axle so I had to press them out under the vehicle but then again I used the Ball joint press on those as well.
But the most frustrating part was dealing with the Energy suspension Formula 5 Grease as it sticks to everything and is darn near impossible to get off of hands, tools, or anything it remotely comes close to, Even my Favorite Zep Industrial purple degreaser had a tough task of removing this stuff but good old brake cleaner came to the rescue.
I ended up spending a few hours after wards cleaning all the tools Used which the Zep cleaner did work on.
I only had one injury which was trying to torque the 140 PSI on the Sway bar nut and dislocated my bad shoulder.
I think or I feel I got the alignment back to pretty decent on my 2nd attempt. ( I had toe way off Toed out and R side Camber was a bit +) Just re adjusted and it drives great but have to get alignment done properly of course.
SO just wanted to update on this.
In case anyone is curious I bought the Orion Motor Tech (OMT) 21 PC Ball joint press kit from Amazon for under $90 shipped and it worked great it was over $140 to get one from AutoZone and then I would of had to return it after use as they have changed the way the do the tool loaner program which was a bummer but now I have the tool for when I go to replace the 5 U joints (yes 5), The kits I found all show 4 but mine has a double U joint setup for the front right off transfer case so I need 5 in total.
All in all I will say I was impressed with how I was able to complete all of this from in front of my house with out a lift or ability to use a creeper. I will say my previous investment of a 21 Gallon Compressor about 150' of air hose and my 1/2 in impact. AIr hammer etc. was a life saver.
The upper control arms only cause me an issue on one as the inner sleeve was rusted to bolt and I had to basically BBQ the bushing out (Yes my propane torch died so I used my BBQ)
The Lower Ball joints was a bit more of a issue I had to actually use my 1" Combination wrench as a extension to the 7/8 that fit my Ball joint press to get enough pressure to push out old one and press in new ones
The hardest off all was the Rear as I did not want to remove the leaf's from the axle so I had to press them out under the vehicle but then again I used the Ball joint press on those as well.
But the most frustrating part was dealing with the Energy suspension Formula 5 Grease as it sticks to everything and is darn near impossible to get off of hands, tools, or anything it remotely comes close to, Even my Favorite Zep Industrial purple degreaser had a tough task of removing this stuff but good old brake cleaner came to the rescue.
I ended up spending a few hours after wards cleaning all the tools Used which the Zep cleaner did work on.
I only had one injury which was trying to torque the 140 PSI on the Sway bar nut and dislocated my bad shoulder.
I think or I feel I got the alignment back to pretty decent on my 2nd attempt. ( I had toe way off Toed out and R side Camber was a bit +) Just re adjusted and it drives great but have to get alignment done properly of course.
SO just wanted to update on this.
In case anyone is curious I bought the Orion Motor Tech (OMT) 21 PC Ball joint press kit from Amazon for under $90 shipped and it worked great it was over $140 to get one from AutoZone and then I would of had to return it after use as they have changed the way the do the tool loaner program which was a bummer but now I have the tool for when I go to replace the 5 U joints (yes 5), The kits I found all show 4 but mine has a double U joint setup for the front right off transfer case so I need 5 in total.
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,267
Likes: 4,197
From: Clayton MI
Congrats. 
I am well aware of what health issues can do to your ability to do the work...... I came to the conclusion a while back, that I simply cannot do it any more.... It's depressing, and expensive..... but, it's life. Ya do what ya gotta do.
I am well aware of what health issues can do to your ability to do the work...... I came to the conclusion a while back, that I simply cannot do it any more.... It's depressing, and expensive..... but, it's life. Ya do what ya gotta do.