Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Got the front end rebuilt finally. Ball joints, control arm bushings and tie-rods. For those that have not done the ball joints yet get ready for some fun. If you have the originals still in and they are riveted to the control arms it aint fun. Only thing that worked for me was to grind one side flat, drill a hole through the rivet then kock it out, just grinding one side and trying to knock them out didn't work. Also the upper control arm bushings are a bear to get back in. If you have an air hammer/chisel I think it would make the job easier.
One thing to watch for is the lower control arm bushings. Make sure they have the metal cup around them. I got my bushings from Energy Suspension and was not aware that the bushings required the re use of the metal cup from the original ones. All I got was the bushing with a sleeve through the center for the bolt, no metal cup on the outside. Simply put make sure they look just like the originals. I had the passenger side all buttoned up before I realized the mistake, had to take it all back down to make it right.
Also using a floor jack under the lower control arm and dropping it down after the top ball joint is released allows you to drop the arm slowly with out needing any kind of coil spring device. The arm lowers down to the floor and the spring just falls out.
Not a bad job just be prepared for some work and to be a little sore afterwards. Also I have say many thanks to member R Harvey. He had just finished his truck before I did mine and did not mind me calling him a few times if I had any questions even though it was Thanksgiving. Thank you Rick, I owe you my friend. It's times like this that I am glad the TDR is here not mention the members that make it what it is.
Scott
One thing to watch for is the lower control arm bushings. Make sure they have the metal cup around them. I got my bushings from Energy Suspension and was not aware that the bushings required the re use of the metal cup from the original ones. All I got was the bushing with a sleeve through the center for the bolt, no metal cup on the outside. Simply put make sure they look just like the originals. I had the passenger side all buttoned up before I realized the mistake, had to take it all back down to make it right.
Also using a floor jack under the lower control arm and dropping it down after the top ball joint is released allows you to drop the arm slowly with out needing any kind of coil spring device. The arm lowers down to the floor and the spring just falls out.
Not a bad job just be prepared for some work and to be a little sore afterwards. Also I have say many thanks to member R Harvey. He had just finished his truck before I did mine and did not mind me calling him a few times if I had any questions even though it was Thanksgiving. Thank you Rick, I owe you my friend. It's times like this that I am glad the TDR is here not mention the members that make it what it is.
Scott
