So my truck rides basically terrible, i know the suspension needs work but i dont know the first thing about it From a visual perspective does the entire front end need replacing? Its all original at 284k






Know its not a lot to go off of i did notice the seal on the gearbox is chipping off and know for certain the bearings are bad But i cannot afford to replace most of these In money or time bc it is my only vehicle, and in certain i dont have the skill to do it myself Im just mainly considered about safety since its related to steering

 

Can't check tie rods by visual inspection. As for steering play (assuming that's why you think the bearings in your steering box are bad) check the shaft that connects to the box. They got rid of 75% of my play just enough I can live with it.

 

You have to wiggle and jiggle the parts to see what's loose. If you know for a fact that the front end is all original with NO replaced parts. you can bet the tie rod ends need replacing. Grab the idler arm and see if there is any play in it. That will need replacement if it's loose. Maybe the steering gear assembly. It looks like it's been leaking to build that much crud on it. It's just head over to Fleabay and get a complete front end rebuild kit. This will have everything but the steering gear assembly. I've found that there isn't uch difference in price between that and local like Autozone. Maybe $5 difference locally. Get a kit with the adjustment sleeves and set the new tie rods and sleeves to the same length as the old ones. The ball joints will require a press that you can rent from Autozone or Advanced or similar.

Bolts will be tight. While you're at it, replace the wheel bearings if you haven't already. Maybe $450-500 for everything plus another $100 for an alignment, which, no matter how careful you are, you will need.

 

If it rides "terrible," replacing what you pictured will NOT solve that. Those are steering parts. Not suspension. The stock Spicer steering parts actually are very good and robust. If you don't have steering problems, don't replace them. A little grease seepage isn't bad.

If you mean the actual suspension over bumps is bad, then replace shocks. The coils are also robust and don't really ever get replaced. You can also lower the psi in your tires. Should be around 35-40, depending on load.