"Nibbles" (nibbles)
12/16/2013 at 09:53 • Filed to: Project Thanks Obama, trucklopnik, it's a DIY!
0
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"Nibbles" (nibbles)
12/16/2013 at 09:53 • Filed to: Project Thanks Obama, trucklopnik, it's a DIY! | 0
| 3 |
Spent the weekend working on Project Thanks Obama's front suspension. If it wasn't for the numerous interruptions, I could've had it done in one sitting. As it stands, I have tonight (and tomorrow if I get interrupted again) to get it finished. Driver side is done, passenger side is 90% disassembled. I can finish this tonight if I get home early enough
Everything is a learning process when the service manual doesn't even acknowledge parts exist. I'm doing ball joints and tie rod ends on the front of the truck, and there's no mention of lower ball joints anywhere in the service manual. Here are the steps I took to get the driver side done:
Loosen lug nuts, lift, remove wheel
Remove cotter pin, cap and spring washer from axle shaft
Reinstall wheel, lower
Using a 32mm deep socket and breaker bar, break the breaker bar. Then get another breaker bar and break the seal on the spindle nut
Place jack on lower control arm
Lift and remove wheel
Place one jack stand on front crossmember, one on frame under driver door
Lower jack until the truck is just barely resting on the jack stands
Remove spindle nut and washer
Remove caliper and brake disc, tie off to the side way out of the way
Remove cotter pin and use crescent wrench or 13/16'' wrench to loosen upper ball joint nut. Do not remove, but bring it almost all the way off
Remove cotter pin and use 13/16'' socket and do the same on lower ball joint nut
Remove cotter pins and use 13/16'' socket (inner) and 11/16'' socket (outer) to remove tie rod end nuts
Use pickle fork and hammer to remove tie rod ends
Toss tie rod ends and shafts to the side, like a boss
Lift lower control arm slightly, ~2'', with jack
Use pickle fork and hammer to separate lower ball joint
Use pickle fork and hammer to separate upper ball joint
Remove both upper and lower ball joint nuts
Manhandle the knuckle to get it off of the lower ball joint and slip out away from the axle in one fell swoop
Remove upper and lower ball joint grease boots (MANDATORY YO)
Using Chrysler special tool or pipe wrench w/ cheater bar, break the upper ball joint loose (it's screwed in)
Unscrew upper ball joint
Remove jesus clip from lower ball joint
Using a ball joint press, press the lower ball joint out
Grease new lower ball joint and press in with ball joint press
Install new jesus clip
Grease the fuck out of lower ball joint boot and reinstall
Screw new upper ball joint in, tighten to 108 ft-lbs
Install upper ball joint boot
Grease upper ball joint
Manhandle the steering knuckle back on. Insert the tip of the axle shaft first, then force it down a tad until you clear the lower ball joint. Once splines are lined up, thread lower ball joint nut on. Lift lower control arm a tad until you get the upper ball joint in. Thread nut on. Tighten down. Refer to service manual for torque specs.
Install other parts that were removed, including new tie rod ends and sleeves. Refer to service manual for torque specs
Spindle nut has to be at 190 lb-ft.
CalzoneGolem
> Nibbles
12/16/2013 at 09:56 |
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Did you, uh, tap your peen? Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh!
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Nibbles
> CalzoneGolem
12/16/2013 at 09:57 |
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There were, sadly, no peens
I would've tapped them peens
Tapped 'em SO HARD
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CalzoneGolem
> Nibbles
12/16/2013 at 10:02 |
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