Attention: TDR Forum Junkies Thought I would name it that so someone may hit on a search later!
I put the Luke's link on my track bar today, and ran into a few things that may be of some help to a poor innocent on his first!
The instructions with the Luke's link did not specify torque values, I guess they may have changed on different models. So when they came in a month ago, I knew I wasn't going to immediately install them, so went through the directions and noticed they didn't have the value there. I go to the manual, and get the values, and print the appropriate page, this is where the trouble started.
The manual says when you work on the track bar, jack up the truck off the ground.
Now, this is OK with me. I can work under nearly all the truck on a creeper, except the front end, unless I jack it up. Not being 20, or 30, or even 40, and full of some severe arthritis, as well as being a 'full figured gentleman, I can tell you guys, that my elderly physique does NOT like full body contact with the ground.
But the Luke's link directions say it should remain ON the ground, so after I jack it up, I let it down after reading the directions!
Next, it says "Pickle fork", not a problem, I've had one for years, but prefer the tool that clamps over the rod and forces the stud out. NOPE, won't work, you've GOT to have the pickle fork. The next thing you really need to know is that if you own a 1 3/16" pickle fork, you're going to NAPA, or somewhere else to get the 2" pickle fork! And no, they do NOT drop the prices on things for Black Friday, I asked.
If you're going to replace the axle bushing on the other end, make sure you have acetylene, or a Sawzall, acetylene is more gooder!
So, to recap:
5 - Leave it on the ground
4 - have a 2" pickle fork
3 - Acetylene for bushing
2 - According to the service manual, torque for a 1997 is: 70 foot pounds on the stud, and 130 foot pounds on the axle bracket bolt.
And, MOST importantly, and I saved it for last to leave an impression is this:
1 - Remember (and yes, I certainly know better, wind was whistling through my ears, couldn't think), you are going to have to grind on this for awhile. I'm used to grinding weld splatter, or just shaving a bit off of something, but you MUST remember that when you grind for a bit to point it some other direction. OR YOU CAN SET YOUR SHIRT ON FIRE!!!!!
Neighbors said it was the very finest "Curly Joe" (think Three Stooges) impression I had ever done! :-laf
Just thought I'd save you guys some steps, and buying a new shirt, plus endangering your neighbors health from laughing so hard!
George
I put the Luke's link on my track bar today, and ran into a few things that may be of some help to a poor innocent on his first!
The instructions with the Luke's link did not specify torque values, I guess they may have changed on different models. So when they came in a month ago, I knew I wasn't going to immediately install them, so went through the directions and noticed they didn't have the value there. I go to the manual, and get the values, and print the appropriate page, this is where the trouble started.
The manual says when you work on the track bar, jack up the truck off the ground.
Now, this is OK with me. I can work under nearly all the truck on a creeper, except the front end, unless I jack it up. Not being 20, or 30, or even 40, and full of some severe arthritis, as well as being a 'full figured gentleman, I can tell you guys, that my elderly physique does NOT like full body contact with the ground.
But the Luke's link directions say it should remain ON the ground, so after I jack it up, I let it down after reading the directions!
Next, it says "Pickle fork", not a problem, I've had one for years, but prefer the tool that clamps over the rod and forces the stud out. NOPE, won't work, you've GOT to have the pickle fork. The next thing you really need to know is that if you own a 1 3/16" pickle fork, you're going to NAPA, or somewhere else to get the 2" pickle fork! And no, they do NOT drop the prices on things for Black Friday, I asked.
If you're going to replace the axle bushing on the other end, make sure you have acetylene, or a Sawzall, acetylene is more gooder!
So, to recap:
5 - Leave it on the ground
4 - have a 2" pickle fork
3 - Acetylene for bushing
2 - According to the service manual, torque for a 1997 is: 70 foot pounds on the stud, and 130 foot pounds on the axle bracket bolt.
And, MOST importantly, and I saved it for last to leave an impression is this:
1 - Remember (and yes, I certainly know better, wind was whistling through my ears, couldn't think), you are going to have to grind on this for awhile. I'm used to grinding weld splatter, or just shaving a bit off of something, but you MUST remember that when you grind for a bit to point it some other direction. OR YOU CAN SET YOUR SHIRT ON FIRE!!!!!
Neighbors said it was the very finest "Curly Joe" (think Three Stooges) impression I had ever done! :-laf
Just thought I'd save you guys some steps, and buying a new shirt, plus endangering your neighbors health from laughing so hard!
George
