Front end rebuilds? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

67chevemall · 12-16-2004, 12:18 PM

Howdy all

I put brand new ball joints and upper control arms on my truck
Then the moter died!
I got a great deal on another truck, so I bought it!

NOW I want to put the parts on the new truck, but have no idea
how to change the upper control arms

as Midias did all the work for me!

WHat is the best way to tear down the front end???

I want to remove all the parts and put them on the new truck!

Cheers

Slonaker · 12-16-2004, 02:25 PM

It should not be too hard. This should help a lot.

http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/chas...n/frontend.htm

One thing that comes to mind is that the two trucks might not use the same balljoints, especially if one has heavy duty brakes and the other doesn't. They use different spindles, so they might use different balljoints.

Slonaker

EDIT: I see that you have a C20. I take back everything I said about the balljoints. I don't know anything about those...

beaterC10 · 12-16-2004, 02:26 PM

The front end work is simple in concept and tough physically. Remove the caliper. Disconnect the tie rod from the spindles. Put a floor jack under the lower a-arm and raise it enough to put some tension on it. Loosen the ball joint nuts, then either by using a ball joint fork or beating on the spindle, break the ball joints loose from their tapered seat in the spindle. Carefully lower the jack and remove the spring. You are using the weight of the truck on the jack to compress the springs. This procedure doesn't work as well when the egine is out or the truck is stripped.

There are two studs that attach the upper a-arm to the chassis, and two u-bolts for the lower.

The worst part is you will have to do this twice, to swap front end components. Start the whole process by soaking all the threaded fasteners on the suspension thoroughly with your favorite rust penetrant.

Good luck

beaterC10 · 12-16-2004, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slonaker

One thing that comes to mind is that the two trucks might not use the same balljoints, especially if one has heavy duty brakes and the other doesn't. They use different spindles, so they might use different balljoints.

Slonaker

They use the same ball joints, but different spindles, rotors, calipers, and bearings.

8t5Silverado · 12-16-2004, 03:20 PM

If you are not familiar with doing this type of work WATCH OUT FOR THE SPRINGS, they have a LOT of potential energy in them.

Even when working on a vehicle that you know has weak springs or that you do not expect to be a problem, assume that they will shoot out at you.

67chevemall · 12-21-2004, 10:56 PM

ya the springs!?!?!
I took the motor out so now what?
I saw Trucks guy use sand bags and weights
but I don't have that around?

beaterC10 · 12-22-2004, 08:40 AM

You can still get the job done without the engine installed, its just tougher since you don't have as much weight to compress the springs. I have pulled control arms using a jack with the entire front clip, engine/tran missing, so I know it can be accomplished.

I guess if it was me, I would give it shot and see what happens.

Cheesewagon · 12-22-2004, 11:08 AM

Why not just change out the entire front crossmenber. You've got it all rebuilt so just change it over to the other truck. just my .02cents. Latter the cheese.

67chevemall · 12-27-2004, 11:16 AM

I'm not sure what to do?
Now I'm thinking of putting the other truck on the frame with the good front end.
Complete restore would be sweet! The frame is just siting there and the new truck is in good shape but a tear down and overhaul would be sweet!
Now I just need 8 hands, time and alot of beer.

12-16-2004, 12:18 PM	#1
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	Front end rebuilds? Howdy all I put brand new ball joints and upper control arms on my truck Then the moter died! I got a great deal on another truck, so I bought it! NOW I want to put the parts on the new truck, but have no idea how to change the upper control arms as Midias did all the work for me! WHat is the best way to tear down the front end??? I want to remove all the parts and put them on the new truck! Cheers __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD

12-16-2004, 02:25 PM	#2
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	It should not be too hard. This should help a lot. http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/chas...n/frontend.htm One thing that comes to mind is that the two trucks might not use the same balljoints, especially if one has heavy duty brakes and the other doesn't. They use different spindles, so they might use different balljoints. Slonaker EDIT: I see that you have a C20. I take back everything I said about the balljoints. I don't know anything about those... __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado Last edited by Slonaker; 12-16-2004 at 02:28 PM.

12-16-2004, 03:20 PM	#5
8t5Silverado Mudslides 'r my specialty Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: STL Posts: 1,106	If you are not familiar with doing this type of work WATCH OUT FOR THE SPRINGS, they have a LOT of potential energy in them. Even when working on a vehicle that you know has weak springs or that you do not expect to be a problem, assume that they will shoot out at you. __________________ Always on the lookout for old cars and parts...(20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, etc.) http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/500339

12-21-2004, 10:56 PM	#6
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	ya the springs!?!?! I took the motor out so now what? I saw Trucks guy use sand bags and weights but I don't have that around? __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD

12-22-2004, 11:08 AM	#8
Cheesewagon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Perrysburg, Ohio, USA Posts: 409	Why not just change out the entire front crossmenber. You've got it all rebuilt so just change it over to the other truck. just my .02cents. Latter the cheese. __________________ '91 suburban 350 TBI - R 700 4 new daily driver '72 Cheyenne Super 49,000miles 350/350 frame up resto w/ matching numbers.

12-16-2004, 02:26 PM	#3
beaterC10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,277	The front end work is simple in concept and tough physically. Remove the caliper. Disconnect the tie rod from the spindles. Put a floor jack under the lower a-arm and raise it enough to put some tension on it. Loosen the ball joint nuts, then either by using a ball joint fork or beating on the spindle, break the ball joints loose from their tapered seat in the spindle. Carefully lower the jack and remove the spring. You are using the weight of the truck on the jack to compress the springs. This procedure doesn't work as well when the egine is out or the truck is stripped. There are two studs that attach the upper a-arm to the chassis, and two u-bolts for the lower. The worst part is you will have to do this twice, to swap front end components. Start the whole process by soaking all the threaded fasteners on the suspension thoroughly with your favorite rust penetrant. Good luck

12-22-2004, 08:40 AM	#7
beaterC10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,277	You can still get the job done without the engine installed, its just tougher since you don't have as much weight to compress the springs. I have pulled control arms using a jack with the entire front clip, engine/tran missing, so I know it can be accomplished. I guess if it was me, I would give it shot and see what happens.

12-27-2004, 11:16 AM	#9
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	I'm not sure what to do? Now I'm thinking of putting the other truck on the frame with the good front end. Complete restore would be sweet! The frame is just siting there and the new truck is in good shape but a tear down and overhaul would be sweet! Now I just need 8 hands, time and alot of beer. __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD



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