Well today wasn't so good.I got new calipers for both sides. But the caliper for teh drivers side is broke from the factory, bleeder screw cross-threaded. But the big issue is the passenger side. The PO used some sort of hardware bolt to hold the caliper on and the knuckle is now completely stripped out.

The graveyard only lists knuckles for the 80-85 style with bolt on calipers.

½ Ton D44 Steering Knuckle, Left

Can I use these and then just get calipers for an 85? will they bolt up with all my other 95 parts, i.e. the hub and all the bearings?

 

Nevermind, I was able to get a knuckle from an F150 off ebay for $50. Man I really am begining to dislike the PO.

 

Some more progress today. I got the new caliper for the Drivers side and it seems to be working well.

Now I noticed a rubbing sound when spinning the wheel. The ABS sensor is hitting the tone ring on the hub I don't know what to do with that one. I'm tempted to just take the Sensor out. The hub and everything seems to be seated properly.

Anyone else run into this issue?

 

The UPS man brought me a present!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6196420272/http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6196420272/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/62639173@N03/, on Flickr

I was surprised to see teh ball joints are actually in good shape, plus I got the dust shield and spindle bolts. Not bad for $50

 

I'd say you done REAL good!

 

Thanks. Unfortunately I have to get a tool to pull the old spindle off. I spent about 4 hours trying before giving up for the night.

Question. Dies anyone know if I have to pull the axle shaft to change out the passenger knuckle?

 

Yes...you will need to, unless you can figure out a way to install/torque the ball joint nuts with the axle shaft in the way.

Not saying it's impossible, but pulling the axle shaft seemed like the only way when I did the ball joints on both sides of mine.

There may be an easier way that I'm just not aware of.

 

Ok thanks! I guess I need to clean the arm out first. Don't wanna get all the rust and junk in the slip yoke.

 

Made some progress tonight.

I got the passenger side knuckle torn all the way down. I am sanding everything down and painting everything over with ultra flat black CARC paint. i like the way it looks on the underbody. I hope to post lots of pictures and updates as I have a 4 day weekend now!

Here's a shot after I finally beat the spindle off. I had to jack the truck up higher so I had room to swing from the bottom to pop the rust seal.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6218856621/http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6218856621/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/62639173@N03/, on Flickr

Here is where I stand currently. Figured after smashing my hand with a dead blow I needed a break.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6219377918/http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6219377918/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/62639173@N03/, on Flickr

 

Looking good! sorry to hear about smashing your hand...you deserve a break!

 

Got some good work done today. I Focused on cleaning and painting the disassembled parts. I decided now was a good time top replace the sway bar bushings as they were stock and worn out. After liberal use of a torch, i got them out. I used a stripper to take all the rust/crud/grime off the parts and then coated everything with 2 coats of CARC ultra black. Heres a shot showing the sway bar links, one stripped and one painted:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6221992092/http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6221992092/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/62639173@N03/, on Flickr

I also put my Deep Creep there, I love that stuff!
Here is what the TTB and radius arm look like now:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6221991496/http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6221991496/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/62639173@N03/, on Flickr

I also went ahead and swapped on the new caliper. I have new Moog sway bar bushing coming in tomorrow. Finally here's a pic of the TTB from the front. I'm trying to clean it all up and paint it so it looks nicer.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6221992584/http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6221992584/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/62639173@N03/, on Flickr

Tomorrow I begin to put it all back together. I think I got a nice amount of work done today.

 

very good work, and amazing deals you got, and i also like that tranny pan....keep giving me good ideas lol

 

Picked up my new Moog Sway bar bushings today. I also went and got some Grade 8 bolts from Lowes.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6224172093/http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6224172093/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/62639173@N03/, on Flickr

Not sure what the 4 round ones on the right are for.

Here's a good shot showing the new bushings in action and also a pic of my spindle and replacement knuckle from an Ebay junkyard truck.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6224173081/http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6224173081/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/62639173@N03/, on Flickr

Nice shiny hub and rotor. I like the way that paint looks and it holds up extremely well.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6224173513/http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6224173513/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/62639173@N03/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6224173793/http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6224173793/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/62639173@N03/, on Flickr

I also replaced the Passenger side Tie rod and the connecting sleeve as well. i plan to replace the rest of the steering linkage in the next few months.

Heres a photo all put back together. Now I just need to find someone to help me bleed the front brakes properly

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6224707260/http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6224707260/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/62639173@N03/, on Flickr

 

Alright, haven't worked on the truck much lately, but this weekend I am hoping to complete my floor shifter install. The brakes seem to work ok, but still doesn't stop like I feel it should after new rotors and pads and calipers. Might need to adjust teh back brakes. Anyways, I'm gonna have a bit m,orte of a hassle with my trans pan swap as my Custom Y-pipe sits right under the back part of the pan that dips up. I'm draining the fluid now, hopefully I'll have enough room to slide it foward and down. I really don't wanna have to pull the header and leg of that pipe. (already scoped that avenue as a last resort/ultimate fail of the exhaust shops part)

 

Minor snag. I have the shifter rod installed (hard part) unfortunately I didn't notice that the new linkage on the outside mounts downward inste3ad of upward like the stock set-up. So now my exhaust is in the way (my Y-pipe for the Longtubes). I am gonna button up the transmission as is for now.

I guess I'll have to go to the exhaust shop on Monday and see what it'll cost to bend that one section downward a few inches. Thankfully I had been planning this process so I didn't have them weld my Y-pipe together, rather its in pieces and then clamped together with exhaust sealant at the seams till I got everything done.