Suspension

[e99f2506sp]

Hey fellas, been a while since I been around here.

Quick rundown of the truck...

Early 99 leveled on 20x10 mt classic 2s with 35" trail graps. All original front end parts except for the springs and front shocks.

After fumbling around this weekend I realized I have a bad lower balljoint on the drivers side. I've been expecting the signs and kind of wanting them to go so I can finally replace all the original front end parts (110k on em). The steering is loose and I know it will never be great, but I would like to get it as close to 100% as I can. Before I do, I was wanting to check and see what y'all thought.

I plan to order this kit:

Moog Package deal

Along with that I plan to order both left and right sway bar end links, as well as sway bar bushings. I also plan to order 4 bilstein 5100 shocks for all around and a dual steering stablizer.

I also already have warn hubs to go on with the swap.

Is there anything else I should plan to order? I know the ball joints and hub bearings are known weak items, especially with oversized tires (running 35s for the past 25k) and as far as I can tell the bearings are still fine. I'd rather not shell out the 600 bucks plus rotors to swap them over to the later style hubs, but if yall think I should go ahead and bite that bullet too, let me know. I plan to swap them with the next brake job for sure if they can make it that long.

So thats my plan. I also plan to get some caster shims to correct the caster from the leveling kit so hopefully a week from today after an alignment I can get in and feel the truck at 100% for the first time in a long while.

Let me know what yall think I should do. Am I on the right track or should I plan to do more?

Thanks

Heres a picture of the pig for those of you who haven't seen it...

 

[dietoremain]

Jared!!! good to see ya here. Looks like you have a good plan set.

 

[Austin G]

The 5100s are badass.. Not that I can tell, since my truck rides like a brick now..

As far as everything else :shrug:

 

[Zaairman]

If your hub bearings are still in good shape, then stick with them. No need to change them out, unless you really want to spend the money. You might want to replace the needle bearings though.

The steering play is probably in the steering box. It's pretty easy to tighten up. I'd pass on all of the tie rods, unless you're sure that they are the problem.

Make sure you get the special tool for the axle seals.

 

[fbilly420]

You can get a much better deal than the link you posted. Google XRF ball joints. I got all 4 ball joints for $99 shipped and they have a million mile warranty. I used MOOG for my first set and the XRF are MUCH better quality. They also have a very good package deal on tie rod ends. Again much cheaper and better quality than MOOG. IMO

 

[e99f2506sp]

Long overdue update, but I got it all done. Found out that both the upper ball joints were shot beyond belief (they rattled around in their socket more than I thought) and both the lowers were pretty well worn too.

I replaced all the tie rods as planned. They were all shot except for the passenger side one surprisingly. It did tighten the steering up considerably, but the box has quite a bit of play in it that I'm gonna try to take out by tightening the box up for now (although a redhead box is on the list)

The dual steering stabilizer went on easy and really helped as well. No more constant correcting when I hit a bridge bump on the highway. The 5100s made the already strong ride even stronger, which I don't mind at all.

So thats the rundown. I'll see how it does on the 3200 mile road trip I have planned next month. It will be nice to drive it since I don't as much as I did.