![]() |
Register or Log In To remove these advertisements. |
|
|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
![]() |
#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2007
Location: East Haven, CT
Posts: 882
|
Soon to be tackling the front suspension. What to look for and replace?
Finished dropping the rear of my truck 6'' via the Western Chassis flip kit. Sport Truck Direct FINALLY shipped out my front coils to go along with my 2.5'' lowering spindles. I also have a new complete RH upper control arm since the one of my truck has rot holes in it.
The other control arms are rusty, but solid. I plan on coating these with Zero Rust. I also plan on all new ball-joints. Tie rod ends seem fine. Will be re-packing the wheel bearings. I remember back when I had the truck aligned, the alignment guy said the alignment shim studs are very rusty and he had a difficult time breaking them lose. I will inspect these and replace if necessary. The little u-bolts that hold the control arms will probably need to be replaced as well. The control arm bushings I will inspect, check for any slop or binding. If so, I will replace these as well, if not, I'm going to just re-install. Steering box was replaced 2 years ago. Any other things I should check? Where can I buy the little parts like the small u-bolts and shim studs?
__________________
87 Chevy 2wd SWB: 305/700r4 Dual Exhaust, K&N Filter, Injector Pod Spacer, TBI Spacer, Belltech Front Sway Bar, Corvette Servo, Western Chassis 4/6 and c-notch |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Happy to be here
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 39,023
|
Re: Soon to be tackling the front suspension. What to look for and replace?
Sounds like you have a good plan so far. since rust is a concern, check the frame area around your steering box. It is a potential area for cracking. It's most comon on 4wd trucks, but I have seen it on a few 2wd's as well.
__________________
Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra" |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
|
Re: Soon to be tackling the front suspension. What to look for and replace?
with dropped springs you might need longer studs for proper shimming to get alignment right
__________________
71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Laid Lo
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Oceanside CA
Posts: 277
|
Re: Soon to be tackling the front suspension. What to look for and replace?
I am right in the middle of that very project. (OE ball joints are no match for a BFH and a couple jacks!).
I did all the things you mentioned but I went for the 73-87 tie rod ends and tie rod sleeve adapter that CPP makes. While my tie rods seemed ok I would prefer to not have to tear down the front for another 40 years! You wouldn't need the sleeve and whatnot so you might as well just replace them, cheap insurance. Also got new pads and rotors but I needed those.
__________________
Semper Fi, Jeff ![]() '72 C10 - lays frame '07 Sand Rail - ecotec powered '05 2500HD - tows stuff '67 VW Bug - gas saver '01 Jeep TJ - rock crawler |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2007
Location: East Haven, CT
Posts: 882
|
Re: Soon to be tackling the front suspension. What to look for and replace?
Anywhere to buy these longer studs? Or, can you just replace with longer grade 8 bolts? For example, when my alignment guy snapped a shim stud since it was so rusty, he knocked the stud out, and replaced with a proper sized grade 8 bolt. Has been working great ever since.
__________________
87 Chevy 2wd SWB: 305/700r4 Dual Exhaust, K&N Filter, Injector Pod Spacer, TBI Spacer, Belltech Front Sway Bar, Corvette Servo, Western Chassis 4/6 and c-notch |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
GM Addicted
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Visalia, Ca
Posts: 2,294
|
Re: Soon to be tackling the front suspension. What to look for and replace?
Check the frame good mine cracked and its a 2wd look for any spider cracks and drill them out on each end of them to prevent further cracking.
__________________
![]() ![]() 73 GMC, 54 Caddy, 2010 Silverado, 68 C10 RIP DAd My 73 GMC Truck Build Pic 2010 Silverado 4/6 on 24s IG:MacsGarage |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2007
Location: East Haven, CT
Posts: 882
|
Re: Soon to be tackling the front suspension. What to look for and replace?
See no cracks in the frame. Everything came off very easy. Much easier than when I flipped the rear!
The control arms have no slop or squeaks. They don't move completely easy in a full range of motion. They have just a certain amount of movement and then it gets tighter. I believe that's how it's suppose to be? What I'm trying to say is, they aren't completely lose, as if you can take the control arm and move them up and down in full range with no resistance. The exposed part of the rubber control arm bushings do have dry rot cracks in them. As stated, there is no slop. I really want to just get the truck on the road as I only have about a month or so before I have to leave for 6 months for military. Do I really have to get new bushings? That would delay me another week to get them shipped, plus the labor involved. I'm sure new ones would be better, but I think the stock ones are still holding up fine.
__________________
87 Chevy 2wd SWB: 305/700r4 Dual Exhaust, K&N Filter, Injector Pod Spacer, TBI Spacer, Belltech Front Sway Bar, Corvette Servo, Western Chassis 4/6 and c-notch Last edited by chevymotocross; 07-13-2010 at 09:08 AM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
|
|