Cool, thanks for the added advice guys, always welcomed...especially on a 1st timer project like this. Gotta learn somewhere....but dont wanna learn with a cracked skull either.

 

Also, have you checked your tie rod ends? That freeplay could also be caused by those if you havent checked.... Just make sure you are replacing the right thing... i'm stuck in the same battle right now, only it think my hubs AND tie rods are shot... AND my Catalyctic converters, although unrelated. FML

 

Hi Tim sorry for the late reply....shifts and work an stuff....still it keeps the fuel vouchers coming in ha haha.

My 03 had a 35mm axle nut on it 100% certain as I just went out to the garage to check for you.
Don't use a pickle fork to seperate those outter tie rod end ball joints.
Do as suggested earlier by slackening off the castle nut on the bottom and smack the steering knuckle with a 2.5 lb hammer smartly.
Keep doing that until it pops free.
It will eventually.
?have a look at my video here for some help with changing out the tie rod ends.
If you do, you will need and alignment done and the counting of threads when backing off the tie rod and re-installing it, is just a ball park thing to get you to the alignment shop.
Hope this is of help?
Drop me a line if you get stuck.
Best of luck......your friend overseas.
Al.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hor2hYxXvNk

 

When I separate my BJs from the spindle I ALWAYS use a pitmat arm puller to push the BJ up and out so the boots dont get damaged.

 

I'm going to go ahead and change the rod ends as well just as a precaution. Being that far into tearing down the front end, it only makes sense to do so. I've got 197K miles on her and all suspension parts are still OEM. If they're still ok now....only matter of time before they need changing anyways. Gonna go with the Moogs, $57 ea at Advance Auto.

Yuma? Wow...been a long time since I've been there. Arizona is my native state btw.

@ Al thanks man...I replied to your e-mail.

@ Weed... pitman puller vs the BJ tool kit with press, receiver, etc? or are you just talking about the upper BJ? I'm doing the lower BJ's also in this project.

 

This is the kit I rent when i pop loose BJs. im not removing the BJ from the control arm. Im popping the threaded shaft of the BJ loose from the spindle so pieces can be separated and replaced

The tool i use on this kit is the one on the far right side

 

FireFighter.

Here's a quick tip for you.

When you do your lower BJ's......stick the new ones in the freezer overnight.
Then when you have removed the old ones, take one of the new BJ's from the freezer and with it being chilled to -20 C or whatever the temp of your freezer is, the ball joint will have shrunk a coupla' thou ' and will pop right into your lower control arm more easily.
You will still probably need to use a BJ press to press them back in, but it will certainly be a lot less effort.
When the BJ warms back up, aall will be nice and tight again.
Al

 

Awesome, thanks guys.

 

On my '07, the axle nut was a 35mm (I just replaced the CV axle last week). Autozone rents the 34mm and 36mm (not the 35mm). The replacement axle nut (from the NAPA reman CV axle) was a 36mm. I re-used the 35mm.

joe

 

I'll prolly re-use the nuts that are on there. Found much better pricing on rockauto. Just waiting on parts to get here. Big job ahead of me, lower BJ's, new shocks, tie rods, hub assemblies. I'm tired already just thinking about it!

BTW, I have a Larin floor jack, seems to have a slight leak when raising, only raises 15" or so. Possible o-ring leak somewhere? Anyone know what type of fluid goes in them and if available at parts store...if even feasible to repair? Buying a new one tomorrow, but need two jacks for this job.