Rebuilding the Front End
#1
Rebuilding the Front End
I am planning on rebuilding my front end(F250 4x4 TTB), I am not interested in doing a d60 swap, they go for $1K+ for a full swap around me. I need help making sure I buy the correct parts for rebuilding my current front end.
Ball Joints--> K8435(2) K80026(2)
Wheel Bearings-->?
Tie Rods-->?
Spindles-->?
Anything else?
I have never done any of this on my own, but with you guys, and the internet I can do it. Any help or input is greatly appreciated.
Ball Joints--> K8435(2) K80026(2)
Wheel Bearings-->?
Tie Rods-->?
Spindles-->?
Anything else?
I have never done any of this on my own, but with you guys, and the internet I can do it. Any help or input is greatly appreciated.
#4
I did mine awhile back.
I would use OEM ball joints and tie rod ends. You can get import ones for ridiculously cheap prices but hardly worth it considering all the work it is to replace them. OEM parts are available for reasonable prices from RockAuto and I think also Amazon.
You can rent a ball joint press from most auto parts stores for free. You put down a deposit and it's refundable. Don't even need to buy the parts from them.
Seal was leaking on the driver's side where the axle shaft goes into the differential housing.
Front axle u-joints are easy, except for the inner one on the passenger's side. On paper you need to take the differential apart to remove the clip to get the axle stub out, but I've heard of guys finding a way to change that u-joint in place.
There are two part seals that seals the inner part of the hubs on each side of the truck, replace them.
Wheel bearings last a long long time. Unless they show signs of overheating or wear/damage I'd clean them and regrease.
Replace all the pivot bushings on the axle and on the springs and spring hangers with urethane bushings. The old rubber bushings are in steel sleeves and do not like being removed. In general the bushing replacing is a real project. The upper spring hanger bushings on mine were down to metal to metal contact and the new bushings solved a lot of the camber problems.
There are needle bearings that support the outer part of the axle shafts. Mine seemed OK so I left them but you should take a close look at them.
My springs were worn but instead of replacing them I got Firestone airbags to compensate for the sag. AirLift bags seem to be as good or better.
The hard part is finding a competent shop to do the front end alignment when you're done. There are adjustable camber and camber bushings to bring it back into spec, assuming it will need some adjusting. It seems like most shops will just adjust the toe-in and call it an alignment.
I would use OEM ball joints and tie rod ends. You can get import ones for ridiculously cheap prices but hardly worth it considering all the work it is to replace them. OEM parts are available for reasonable prices from RockAuto and I think also Amazon.
You can rent a ball joint press from most auto parts stores for free. You put down a deposit and it's refundable. Don't even need to buy the parts from them.
Seal was leaking on the driver's side where the axle shaft goes into the differential housing.
Front axle u-joints are easy, except for the inner one on the passenger's side. On paper you need to take the differential apart to remove the clip to get the axle stub out, but I've heard of guys finding a way to change that u-joint in place.
There are two part seals that seals the inner part of the hubs on each side of the truck, replace them.
Wheel bearings last a long long time. Unless they show signs of overheating or wear/damage I'd clean them and regrease.
Replace all the pivot bushings on the axle and on the springs and spring hangers with urethane bushings. The old rubber bushings are in steel sleeves and do not like being removed. In general the bushing replacing is a real project. The upper spring hanger bushings on mine were down to metal to metal contact and the new bushings solved a lot of the camber problems.
There are needle bearings that support the outer part of the axle shafts. Mine seemed OK so I left them but you should take a close look at them.
My springs were worn but instead of replacing them I got Firestone airbags to compensate for the sag. AirLift bags seem to be as good or better.
The hard part is finding a competent shop to do the front end alignment when you're done. There are adjustable camber and camber bushings to bring it back into spec, assuming it will need some adjusting. It seems like most shops will just adjust the toe-in and call it an alignment.
#5
The local Firestone place wanted something like $250 per side to do camber. I said bump that I'm getting a D60
Also, here is another place to get D50 parts. I've ordered from them before and they had pretty good customer service and super fast shipping
https://quad4x4.com/ford50ifs1983-1997.html
Also, here is another place to get D50 parts. I've ordered from them before and they had pretty good customer service and super fast shipping
https://quad4x4.com/ford50ifs1983-1997.html
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