3/4 Ton of fun - ‘95 Sierra

[fancyTBI]

Not the greatest photos, but I did get the billet installed, minus the door locks and column tilt lever.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

Also picked up a dash cover to help keep it nice. It’s not secured down yet.

 

[618 Syndicate]

*sigh*

 

[fancyTBI]

Rock auto order came. Tomorrow I start on the front of the truck. Wish me luck! I’ve never done any sort of front end work besides rotors and wheel bearings. I’ve been spoiled by my ‘92. It has never had any front end work done to it even now at 357K miles.

 

[someotherguy]

I’ve been spoiled by my ‘92. It has never had any front end work done to it even now at 357K miles.

It's way past due.. especially don't trust those ball joints. I've seen more than a few gmt400's stopped dead in their tracks because the lower one lets go and sets the control arm on the ground. Sometimes you get lucky and the tire doesn't destroy the fender.

Richard

 

[fancyTBI]

It's way past due.. especially don't trust those ball joints. I've seen more than a few gmt400's stopped dead in their tracks because the lower one lets go and sets the control arm on the ground. Sometimes you get lucky and the tire doesn't destroy the fender.

Richard

I agree. It would need everything replaced and sometimes it’s hard to justify that on a $500 pickup that I’m going to be done with soon. Planned to do so this year but I am just going to use the 350 as a donor for my ‘94 K2500 and park the ‘92. Always feel kind of like a dork for not doing anything about it.

I will say this: the front end is just as tight as this ‘95. It goes down the road straight and gets greased every oil change. I do check my ball joints for play every couple months and they are as good as they ever where - no real change.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

It's way past due.. especially don't trust those ball joints. I've seen more than a few gmt400's stopped dead in their tracks because the lower one lets go and sets the control arm on the ground. Sometimes you get lucky and the tire doesn't destroy the fender.

Richard

Yup that happened to Kenny on his way to lunch, last year I think. He posted about it....

 

[fancyTBI]

Pieces parts. I have to get a majority of this done this weekend. Then I need to get it aligned and the exhaust installed.

 

[Orpedcrow]

This is exciting.
One tip I have for front end rebuilds, either count how many turns when you undo your tie rods and install the same amount, or if you’re replacing everything then you can remove it as an assembly and setup the new assembly to match.

You must be registered for see images attach

This should get you close enough to drive to the alignment shop without destroying your tires.

 

[fancyTBI]

This is exciting.
One tip I have for front end rebuilds, either count how many turns when you undo your tie rods and install the same amount, or if you’re replacing everything then you can remove it as an assembly and setup the new assembly to match.

You must be registered for see images attach

This should get you close enough to drive to the alignment shop without destroying your tires.

That is a great idea. Thank you for that! I am replacing inner and outer. I’ve got a micrometer, too. So I’ll remember to bring that too.

I went to HF and grabbed some tools for the arsenal. They look identical to the tools I could rent at the parts store. Now I’ll have them permanently.

 

[Orpedcrow]

new tools are always a good idea

Put your floor Jack under the control before breaking loose the ball joints from the spindle. You can also thread the castle nut back on a few threads while trying to unseat the taper, just as a secondary safety measure. The spring probably won’t come flying out, but the control arm can hurt you quickly if it pops loose while under spring pressure.