Hey all,

Two days ago I went to a local area to go offroading. I used 4 wheel drive for the entire time, seeing as how the trails were all dirt. However, I had to turn my wheel full tilt to the left, and that's when I heard a pop (just for reference, I have 295/75/R16 tires with a 3 in body lift, and they rub slightly at full tilt). I know about certian things wearing out with 4x4 on dry pavement, but this was on compact dirt so I figured it was alright to stay in 4 wheel. Anyway, I hit a few more ruts and left for home, about a 30 mile drive. Today, I went for a quick drive and back home, probably around 15 miles round trip. That's when I decided to really inspect the wheel well, because the trip was a bit different than ususal and the truck just felt different. I think I snapped my ball joints and tie rod ends on my right wheel only, at least I think that's what they are. Take a look at the pics and tell me what you think. Any advice on how to replace them, and how much it's going to cost? Can a person with moderate mechanical skills fix this? Should I replace both sides at the same time, or is that not necessary?

BTW, warning to 56K users, these are large pictures!

http://img59.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000865ap2.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000867nt4.jpg
http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000868al7.jpg
http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000869vj1.jpg

Thanks,
-Dan

 

Dude, those are just your sway bar links. Should be a piece of cake to repair/replace. Do both sides. I replaced all the rubber on my sway bar with urethane ... flatter cornering.

 

ummmm...i wanna say thats the sway bar.....which would make your ride feel "a bit different". nothing to major IMO, just gonna cause your body to lean a little more around corners....

 

Good time to try to fab up some quick disco's

Some people always run in 4x4 as soon as they hit a dirt road. I guess its just they're style of wheeling. Me personally, I run in 2wd until I'm pretty much stuck or going to get stuck. It just wares out stuff faster by using 4x4 all the time IMO. While in 4 turning to lock even on packed pavement puts strain on your u-joints. I dunno, I guess its just your style. My friend drives a Bronco and hes the same way, the second we turn off pavement, he throws it in 4x4. Wheres the fun in that? You don't get stuck

 

Go here: http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...,parttype,7580

Since you didn't give a model or year, I put in 1998 1500 4x4. ACDELCO Part # 45G0234 ... about half way down the page. Get 2 and do both sides ... they're about $50 each.

 

Nope...if you had snapped your tie rod ends your truck wouldn't steer And if you had snapped your ball joints, you'd notice your tire leaning like this \ or like this / and it would feel MUCH different [:'(]

 

yea dude, just the sway bar links. super easy to replace yourself. so get them from here, i got these and am happy, they seem pretty durable, and dont hurt your wallet much. super easy fix! if you have questions about changing them out, just let me know, i can help you out there...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/95-00...QQcmdZViewItem

good luck!

 

MUCH better price. Nobody said they had to be OEM.

When did you break a link?

 

yea its just the sway bar. if your busted your ball joints there would have been a possiblity that you could have lost the entire wheel. also fixing the swaybar is easy, although take it off. you might not even notice its not there after a day or so. i havent had mine on for months and im driving around with 8 inches of lift and 35's.

 

lose the sway bar altogether, you won't notice a diference.