front end rebuild question.....

[hewlett2002000]

ok im working on getting my 66 road worthy. the front end needs rebuilt very badly. it was converted to disc brakes in the front a long time before i got it. ive never rebuilt a front end but i know everything needs to be replaced. the tie rods are bent. i dont even know what all i need. my question is what do i need along the lines of parts, i mean not being factory equipment (disc brake swap)? will everything for a 66 work? if not what can i get that will? if this is a stupid question then please tell me. like i said ive never worked on any front ends. i appreciate any help.
thanks,
John

[Chevy Fleetside]

You have to know what year the parts are from. If the center link and stuff are 66 then use 66 but if some of the parts are from a 70's truck then you will have to use that application. Good pictures might help in this.

[bigblock66]

john, go with what chevyfleetside said, but i would double check everything else besides the tie rods ends and see if they really need to be fixed. make sure calipers, ball joints, drag links etc.

[protrash64]

.....when I redid my front end I found out I had some different parts....the different years used different length tie rods. Something to check anyway; I had never done this either but its easy. Just a lot of heavy stuff and pounding!!

[billydonn]

Since the change was done years ago, you almost certainly have the 73-87 truck spindles and discs (they are 5 bolt?). It looks like your control arms were not changed from original, since they have grease zerks. Assuming your brakes work okay, a good place to begin is just by changing out the ball joints and tie rod ends. You will need the upper and lower ball joints from 73-87 half ton truck... and probably outer tie rod ends from 73-87. Try tie rod ends from 66, but the outers will probably be too small to fit the 73up spindles. If you don't have a little experience or a good place to do this job safely, go to a good suspension shop... the job can be dangerous. PM me for more help if you need it.

[89 crew]

The only dangerous parts of doing the front are the ball joints, (they keep pressure on the springs even when the truck is lifted by the frame). Other than that just make sure the truck doesn't fall on you, and you get everything put back together right. For parts, Unless you want to make lots of trips to the parts store I would take the old parts with me. compare them on the counter. this way you have a new part for each removed old one, and you are ready to reassemble. Watch out for reboxed chinese parts! I got a chinese tie rod for a F800 that had been reboxed. It wore out in 6 months, and soon as it had just a small amount of play it popped off while driving! Turns out it didn't have a full ball on the stud, just a 3/8" tall upside down bowl with a PLASTIC spacer under it!

[joe231]

I agree with all of the above, just want to add....once you figure out all the parts, compile a book of all the parts, parts numbers, and years of the vehicles that they fit, it will make it easier down the road, and if you ever sell it the next owner, I'm sure, will thank you for it.

[billydonn]

Originally Posted by joe231

I agree with all of the above, just want to add....once you figure out all the parts, compile a book of all the parts, parts numbers, and years of the vehicles that they fit, it will make it easier down the road, and if you ever sell it the next owner, I'm sure, will thank you for it.

Excellent point there! You think you'll remember it all... but you won't.

[joe231]

yeah, i can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday, let alone what parts I used months ago