My truck has a lot of slop and wanders down the road. My rotors are also warped and after they get warm they shake like crazy. So I plan on new rotors, bearings, calipers, pads, dust caps and rear rotors, calipers and pads for the rear. I will also be doing factory wheels and new tires and shocks all the way around.

My questions is to rebuild the front suspension and do it to last what all will I need? I see some moog kits but I do not think they are complete for what I need. I only have 126,000 miles with a sound motor and tranny so I feel she is worth it. I know how to work on the truck but the suspension is my weak spot. At 126,000 miles I feel it is a good investment

 

Right off the bat I would check your pivot bushings (where the I beams attach to the frame)

 

Will do, It looks like they are only around $20 to replace

 

So I ordered the Moog complete steering rebuild kit. I have already got the rotors, bearings and such. I just bought new Michelin Defenders and got 1 year alignment so I can get it aligned when I am done.

I have a few questions, Since I am replacing the tie rod ends can I just beat them out since I have new parts or do i need a pickle fork?

Also how hard will it be to get this as close as possible for a 4 mile drive to the shop for a alignment?

Also any suggestions for the ball joint press, A good place to rent them and what size sockets for the nuts I will encounter including castle nut for the rotors. I see a lot of 4wd info but I have a 2wd. Thanks and sorry for the questions as I have never done this before and I would like to so it in one sitting s it is my DD.

 

Never done a SD but there are several clips on You tube that might give you a idea of what your in for.

 

I just did the ball joints on my 2000 f250 this weekend. I rented a press from advance auto. It did the job well. The nut for the lower ball joint is 1 5/16 and the top is a thru bolt and a nut. you will need two open end wrenches for that. i used a 15mm on one end and a 16mm on the other. overall the job is pretty easy but the parts them self are very heavy. it will make it easy if you have someone to help with the heavy lifting. it would also be a good idea to get a pickle fork, it will help break the knuckle loose.

 

To get the tie rods close enough to drive to the alignment shop just count the threads exposed on the old tie rod end before removing it.

 

As Guru123 said......do the ball joints! I had mine done at 122k and the mechanic? said he's done hundreds of them....... but it clearly says in the instructions to follow the torque and positioning sequence when you tighten everything back up. Well he didn't and the truck was almost undriveable. I did some research and found a real front end shop and their VERY knowledgeable guy told me the same thing. After he was done the truck was perfect.

 

I have watched a few you tube video's. I will make sure and remember to count the tie rod ends as I turn them off. I do not have a pickle fork but since I have the kit with new ones I thought I would just loosen the nut, flip it over and tap them off. I am not sure i even need to flip it if I have new ones.

I am somewhat nervous because of all the stuff the kit I ordered has and plus I am doing new rotors and bearings but those I have done on other vehicles before. I just need to get the 1 5/16th socket and the press for the ball joints. My local Advanced wants $230 to for the press that I can return? I my just buy one from Amazon for half that and keep it. Thanks for the help. I am going to do this next week.

 

I used the kit from harborfreight. Ball Joint Service Kit for 2WD and 4WD Vehicles

You can whack the side of the mount where the tie rod goes thru with a hammer and they'll break loose. I had a stuck ball joint. Press wouldn't budge it. I hit the side with the hammer and it "popped" out too.

 

Well I just got back from the shop getting my truck aligned. I can not believe how much better it drives will all new Moog steering stuff, new bearings, rotors and pads with new Michelin defenders. Thanks for the help guys