Archived Please Help with loose front end parts and Luke's Links application.

[Coalsmoke]

I'm heading up North for a month (land clearing) on the weekend and I just noticed that one of my almost worn out tires is separating, time for new rubber. So, at the same time, I was going to replace the worn track bar ball / cup joint thingy and the steering arm ball / cup joint with Luke's Links and then get the whole works re-aligned when I get the new rubber on. Now I just found out that both tie rod joints and the one joint that connects the tie rod and drag link bars together are worn out. That's all 5 ball / cup joints in the front end that need to be fixed / replaced. Apparently you can use Luke's links on all 5 of these joints, but what I need to know is whether I need to buy all of those new joints first or if I can just use the worn joints and put on the Luke's Links. Incidently, buying all of those new joints first would be quite expensive as they are sold with the bar and not as individual joints Please help, I need to make this decision in the morning and being that I'll be up country for a while, I really don't want to mess this up and find out the hard way.



Thanks very much for all input,

Stephan

 

[DSiemens]

The Luke's Link is used to rebulid/repair wore joints.

 

[Extreme1]

If the Luke's will save you $, go for it. I've read posts from other who have done that. I replaced the right tie rod end with a Lukes because that bar is long and expen$ive on my '94. I recently replaced the left tie rod end with a new NAPA unit because it was the same price as a Lukes and faster/easier to install.



The part that wears out is the plastic cup the ball rides in. Then the spring looses tension and you have clearance (slop). A Lukes set up will tighen it up.

 

[Coalsmoke]

OK, thanks guys, Lukes Links it is. I just didn't want to go through the trouble and expense of putting on 5 luke's links only to find out that they were a preventative maintence part and not a proper fix for worn out joints.



Thanks again,

Stephan

 

[Coalsmoke]

Is it the same Luke's Link for all 5 spots, or is the one for the Tracking bar a different size? The website doesn't explain it very well. Also, I should I use new rubber boots with the luke's links? Sorry for all the questions.



Later:

I called Johnnie Lucas and asked him about the above. He said that the links are the same for the different joint applications and that they come with a washer that replaces the dust boot. Sounds to me like D/C should be hiring this guy for his darn good ideas.

 

[fj40dave]

I put Luke's Links on the '01 I had - made a big difference... . then I got the DSS (Darrin Steering Stabalizer) bar..... WOW... truck handled extremly better.

Then I sold it and am truck less until my 04. 5 get's here (been two+ months... . think they woulda figured out how to make a truck in a year and a half eh)



I think I have pic's of the whole Luke's Link's install I did - if ya want 'em?



Dave

 

[Coalsmoke]

Pics would be great. I sent you an PM.

Thanks