Thought I'd start my own build up thread. Don't expect this to be fast paced or anything. This is mainly for my benefit to see how far I've come and which direction I want to go.

I will post pics later, but wanted to get this up

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com...sp?prod=8.3108

This is the set of bushings I just ordered today to redo my front control arms. Too many oil leaks and 20 years of neglect have taken their toll on the factory ones. The main driving force for this decision was economics. $44.00 for the set as opposed to a piece is pretty significant.

Also today, I picked up a set of manual hubs from fellow member WrenchinJoe (many thanks ).

I already have the control arms off the truck, and they are waiting for cleaning by pressure washer. Also to be replaced is all 4 shocks, ball joints, T-bar anchor bolts (cause the old ones broke), possibly rear springs and a spacer plate for my steering box. Any suggestions, or or you think I should know about, please tell me.

 

Thanks for the link!

 

Hope to have pics up this afternoon.
Before tear down...


After tear down...

 

I have seen where several people have complained about the staked nut on the UCAs, but nothing about how to remove it.

Any suggestions? I know of a shop that could probably do the work, but it's call "Just J**ps" and I'd really like to know how to do this myself instead of a shop filling in. (really don't want to have anything worked on by J**p people!)

 

Sorry, i dont have any suggestions for you, but it looks like youre halfway to a sas!

 

I finally got around to doing a little work on the ole girl this past weekend. Doesn't look like much, but it's progress.

This is the actual described and directed method for removing the metal sleeves from the bushing. I used the propane torch to burn the rubber, and a socket with extensions to push the sleeve out of the goo.


This is essentially what you're after out of the rubber.


Some time with the dremil or a wire wheel...


Half way done with the front uppers.


Decided to let the fire keep burning to remove as much of the rubber as I could...


I had planned on re-installing the poly bushings Sat. but my wire wheel that I use to clean out the inside of the outer sleeve decided to give up. Just so you know, this is an extremely messy operation. The melted bushing can and will get on everything and takes forever to wear off. I would recommend wearing something that can be trashed afterwards so you don't tick off the wife with ruining the rest of the clothes in the wash. Ask me how I know...

Here is part of the reason why I am being delayed


It was still 20 mins till kick-off, that's why it looks sorta empty.

 

GAH, I hate being broke. Update: my Subie decided she needed some money spent on her, so she puked out a brake caliper, and then Christmas for the WHOLE family (immediate, in-laws, out-laws and other). Then had to work the week after Christmas which was to be for me to casually do a few things....

Anyways, the good news is I finally have had some money come in that can go towards Meatball so I bought this stuff

Beck Arnley Ball Joints:


And got a good deal on Pro-Comp Springs:


Now if I could just get another weekend off with decent weather, I'd be able to get this thing off the carport and down to the alignment shop.

 

Oh, and if anybody is doing this mod, and don't want to try and retrieve the sleeves from the lower bushings; member BlazeN8 who does long travel kits for our rigs sold me some sleeves that he had machined to save time. I bought 4 seeing that the part that captures the washer on mine were toast. More pics:







The ball bearing is from work and is about 46 mm in diameter. Should be pretty good at recapturing the washers.

 

That's it, I am killing my boys. I now have the driver side front wheel re-assembled, and now I cannot find my 54 mm spindle nut socket. Further, they have lost one of the smaller capture washers for the pass. side lower control arm. I think I might be willing to auction them off, or even trade them for a nice front bumper.