How hard is it to rebuild the front end?

[1965 C-10]

I want to upgrade to front power disc brakes, and while I'm doing, might as well replace all the tie rods, ball joints, springs, how hard is all of this to do, and if I lower it, will it make it handle better?It really leans over on turns, and I tried adjusting the manual steering gear to get rid of the slack, now it is a ***** just to turn, power steering would be nice, what would it take to upgrade that? I know, to many questions!

------------------
1965 Chevy C-10 shortbed fleetside, 327,th350,3.73 to 1

[69 longhorn]

Front ends arent that hard to rebuild,they are just a lot of grunt work. You can rent a balljoint press from many of the local parts stores. You will need a ball joint seperator,& a torch set is helpful. The rivets can be ground or chiseled of the top ball joints....or my favorite way,burn them off. A sway bar will help you with the lean over in the corners,& I have seen a kit to bolt on power steering. Try this web site,you will find parts info,& tech articles.....www.classicperform.com. Good luck....69 longhorn.

[DennyB]

69s right on..... but one other thing...If when you tightened your steering gear and it made it harder to turn, its to tight!
Back it off till it centers its self after going around a turn.
If the steering gear is to tight it will wear very quickly. Before you know it you cant turn it or keep it on the road.

For the front end work I use a tie rod "pickle" fork and a pitman arm puller.
The pitman arm puller has alot of uses with front end work and if you replace the steering gear you will need one anyway (bout 40 bucks).

You can NEVER have enough tools!!