Front end rebuild
#1
01-23-2024, 09:54 PM
Join Date: Jan 2024
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Front end rebuild
Hello all,
I took my new to me 2000 dodge ram van to a trusted local shop to look at the front end. There's a lot of play in the steering wheel and it's pretty rattily as I go down the road. Note that the van has 96k original miles but is 23 years old...
I'll start by saying that I read about the steering box being a typical issue, but when I brought that up, the mechanic was fairly confident that the following was the problem:
Strut rod bushings
inner/outer tie rods
upper ball joints
shocks
Any thoughts. Looking online it looks like there are complete rebuild kits with additional parts. Should I ask that they replace the additional? These kits I saw include: Control Arms, Idler Arm, Pitman Arm, Shock Absorbers, Sway Bar Links and Tie Rod Ends.
Any thoughts on what a complete front end rebuild like this should cost?
Thanks,
I took my new to me 2000 dodge ram van to a trusted local shop to look at the front end. There's a lot of play in the steering wheel and it's pretty rattily as I go down the road. Note that the van has 96k original miles but is 23 years old...
I'll start by saying that I read about the steering box being a typical issue, but when I brought that up, the mechanic was fairly confident that the following was the problem:
Strut rod bushings
inner/outer tie rods
upper ball joints
shocks
Any thoughts. Looking online it looks like there are complete rebuild kits with additional parts. Should I ask that they replace the additional? These kits I saw include: Control Arms, Idler Arm, Pitman Arm, Shock Absorbers, Sway Bar Links and Tie Rod Ends.
Any thoughts on what a complete front end rebuild like this should cost?
Thanks,
#2
01-24-2024, 04:17 AM
Registered User
Personally, I went on Amazon and purchased each suspension piece separately. All Moog parts (I wasn't willing to roll the dice on one of those cheap kits from Detroit Axle).
I don't think Moog has an actual "kit" for my specific Van, but even if they did, I'm certain that buying the parts separately on Amazon was the cheaper/better option.
My list:
2@ $41.34 = $82.68
1@ $61.29 = $61.29
1@ $76.03 = $76.03
2@ $12.04 = $24.08
1@ $69.56 = $69.56
1@ $23.29 = $23.29
1@ $8.64 = $8.64
2@ $7.29 = $14.58
1@ $62.43 = $62.43
2@ $15.13 = $30.26
1@ $91.51 = $91.51
1@ $94.77 = $94.77
2@ $31.66 = $63.32
Total $702.44
Following this thread because I'd like to know how much to expect to pay for installation and alignment, as I haven't had the parts installed yet.
I bought extra upper ball joints in case I didn't feel like wrangling the springs to do the whole control arms (I was originally planning to do the installation myself).
I can't remember right now, why I don't have lower ball joints purchased, but obviously, I'll need those too.
Also, I'm pretty sure the steering box isn't like new, so I'm sure I'll need one of those too.
I don't think Moog has an actual "kit" for my specific Van, but even if they did, I'm certain that buying the parts separately on Amazon was the cheaper/better option.
My list:
2@ $41.34 = $82.68
1@ $61.29 = $61.29
1@ $76.03 = $76.03
2@ $12.04 = $24.08
1@ $69.56 = $69.56
1@ $23.29 = $23.29
1@ $8.64 = $8.64
2@ $7.29 = $14.58
1@ $62.43 = $62.43
2@ $15.13 = $30.26
1@ $91.51 = $91.51
1@ $94.77 = $94.77
2@ $31.66 = $63.32
Total $702.44
Following this thread because I'd like to know how much to expect to pay for installation and alignment, as I haven't had the parts installed yet.
I bought extra upper ball joints in case I didn't feel like wrangling the springs to do the whole control arms (I was originally planning to do the installation myself).
I can't remember right now, why I don't have lower ball joints purchased, but obviously, I'll need those too.
Also, I'm pretty sure the steering box isn't like new, so I'm sure I'll need one of those too.
#3
01-24-2024, 06:21 PM
Champion
Hello all,
I took my new to me 2000 dodge ram van to a trusted local shop to look at the front end. There's a lot of play in the steering wheel and it's pretty rattily as I go down the road. Note that the van has 96k original miles but is 23 years old...
I'll start by saying that I read about the steering box being a typical issue, but when I brought that up, the mechanic was fairly confident that the following was the problem:
Strut rod bushings
inner/outer tie rods
upper ball joints
shocks
Any thoughts. Looking online it looks like there are complete rebuild kits with additional parts. Should I ask that they replace the additional? These kits I saw include: Control Arms, Idler Arm, Pitman Arm, Shock Absorbers, Sway Bar Links and Tie Rod Ends.
Any thoughts on what a complete front end rebuild like this should cost?
Thanks,
I took my new to me 2000 dodge ram van to a trusted local shop to look at the front end. There's a lot of play in the steering wheel and it's pretty rattily as I go down the road. Note that the van has 96k original miles but is 23 years old...
I'll start by saying that I read about the steering box being a typical issue, but when I brought that up, the mechanic was fairly confident that the following was the problem:
Strut rod bushings
inner/outer tie rods
upper ball joints
shocks
Any thoughts. Looking online it looks like there are complete rebuild kits with additional parts. Should I ask that they replace the additional? These kits I saw include: Control Arms, Idler Arm, Pitman Arm, Shock Absorbers, Sway Bar Links and Tie Rod Ends.
Any thoughts on what a complete front end rebuild like this should cost?
Thanks,
I rebuild my front ends myself then get them close with a tape measure and then it's off for an FEA at a shop. I get a complete kit with as many parts as possible. It saves going back later to do more work.
I've had pretty good luck with Detroit Axle. Yes, it's made of Chinesium, but most front end parts are anymore.