Kens1990K2500
One Piece At A Time
This is my first time doing front suspension work. I have already disassembled most of my front end. Now that I have all the parts, I am about to start installing new stuff. Parts being replaced are as follows: CV axles; upper control arms; upper and lower ball joints; inner and outer tie rods with adjusting sleeves; shocks; sway bar bushings and end links. The steering knuckles (spindles) and hub assemblies are off the truck; I cleaned them up, but otherwise reinstalling them as is.
Here's my questions (BTW, I do have a factory service manual for my truck, but it doesn't have many details):
A) What is the best order to reinstall the above parts? I am particularly concerned with not tearing up the new boots on my CV axles, and not struggling with getting the axle into the splines on the hub.
B) Any tips/advice for installing ball joints? I've never done 'em before, and I'm concerned about not tightening them correctly, and breaking a stud on a ball joint. Does breaking a stud happen if they're too loose, or too tight? Also, I've read you should not put any grease on the tapered portion of the ball joint stud. Is that correct?
C) Is is good practice to add grease to new ball joints and tie rod ends? (Brand I'm using is Mevotech TTX). I know that some types of grease cannot be mixed, or else the grease will degrade and prematurely wear out the part. I use the red chassis grease (not sure of the specs or brand). Is this safe to use with my new parts?
D) I loosened my torsion bars before removing parts. When should I re-tighten the torsion bars?
E) When putting in the upper control arms, I think I am supposed to snug the bolts, but not fully tighten them until the tires are on the ground (truck at ride height). Is that correct?
F) I removed the knockouts on the UCA brackets, and have the alignment camber bolts. I know I will need to get an alignment, but for now, should I set the bolts at mid-range so the truck is drivable?
Thanks in advance
Here's my questions (BTW, I do have a factory service manual for my truck, but it doesn't have many details):
A) What is the best order to reinstall the above parts? I am particularly concerned with not tearing up the new boots on my CV axles, and not struggling with getting the axle into the splines on the hub.
B) Any tips/advice for installing ball joints? I've never done 'em before, and I'm concerned about not tightening them correctly, and breaking a stud on a ball joint. Does breaking a stud happen if they're too loose, or too tight? Also, I've read you should not put any grease on the tapered portion of the ball joint stud. Is that correct?
C) Is is good practice to add grease to new ball joints and tie rod ends? (Brand I'm using is Mevotech TTX). I know that some types of grease cannot be mixed, or else the grease will degrade and prematurely wear out the part. I use the red chassis grease (not sure of the specs or brand). Is this safe to use with my new parts?
D) I loosened my torsion bars before removing parts. When should I re-tighten the torsion bars?
E) When putting in the upper control arms, I think I am supposed to snug the bolts, but not fully tighten them until the tires are on the ground (truck at ride height). Is that correct?
F) I removed the knockouts on the UCA brackets, and have the alignment camber bolts. I know I will need to get an alignment, but for now, should I set the bolts at mid-range so the truck is drivable?
Thanks in advance