Complete Front End Overhaul - 1998 4x2 - couple of questions

[vandi]

Back story: I purchased a 1998 f150 flareside with the Windsor 4.6 (engine code 6) with 150K on it for my boys to share. I've since remembered how much I enjoy working on trucks and am diving in with both feet (maybe it will rub off). First project was to clean the whole thing up - new front bumper and trim, new carpet and new bilsten 5100's (big thanks to those on the site and the reviews / tips.) The situation: Having gone through all that I discovered that at 150K it still has the original ball joints / tie rod ends / pitman arm /idler arm/ bushings (control arm and sway bar) / sway bar end link and they are SHOT. My gameplan is to rip it all apart and replace everything with moog parts (including the upper control arm - its only a few extra bucks and the ball joint is easily replaceable after that rather than trying to press one into the the OE.) going to do the tie rod adjusting sleeve so I don't have to jack with the old one. Part 2 of the gameplan is LOTS of photos and a writeup as we roll. The questions: Do I REALLY need to replace the centerlink .... thinking thats a non wear item. Easier if I do? its $43 What am I missing - should I be doing anything else while I am in there.... Thanks in advance! Chris

[Patman]

it would be much easier to replace the center link because you could get your new one setup exactly like stock (match length and all that) and stab it in there. I'd definitely recommend new tierod sleeves as well

Make sure you know which idler arm you have there are two different ones, with different spacing on the mounting holes.

Get a good solid puller for the pitman arm, and a good grease gun to lube all your new parts.

and I recommend using a prybar to push up on the tierod, then use a hammer and smack the spindle where to the side of where the tierod goes through it and it usually comes out in a hit or two.

The upper ball joint/ upper control arm comes all together even if you get a moog. No replacing just the ball joint on it.

If you dont have yet, install a set of camber bolts in the upper control arms to help get the alignment back into specs easily.

Also the sway bar should be fine, just pop some new bushings and endlinks on it

Have you thought about replacing the coil springs? I dont know that it needs them, but something that would be easy to do while you have the front end torn down.

Whew, okay i think im done now
-Patrick

[vandi]

Patrick - Excellent tips - thank you! ... added the centerlink and the coils to the list.

Wheel bearings came to mind ...... I just hate doing those. Not difficult, jost not a job I enjoy. Probably going to do them while I have the front ripped off. Recommendation on wheel bearings? Any quick way to tell the idler arms apart other than measuring?

BTW .. what part of Texas are you in (assuming I saw the blue on the plates in your sig correctly).

Chris

[Patman]

Originally Posted by vandi

Patrick - Excellent tips - thank you! ... added the centerlink and the coils to the list.

Wheel bearings came to mind ...... I just hate doing those. Not difficult, jost not a job I enjoy. Probably going to do them while I have the front ripped off. Recommendation on wheel bearings? Any quick way to tell the idler arms apart other than measuring?

BTW .. what part of Texas are you in (assuming I saw the blue on the plates in your sig correctly).

Chris

Yes DFW area (as indicated in my information bar above my post)

my truck used the smaller Idler (i think) it was way obvious one was much bigger then the other. just stick your nose under the truck and eyeball it

as for the wheel bearings, id probably just repack them unless you think they have been neglected and would warrant needing replacement

[vandi]

Yep stuck my nose under there - smaller one. Going to do the repack thing on the bearings unless I get it torn apart and they are fried.

Found a 2wd camber kit by eibach - going that route.

BTW - just north of Houston in Spring here.

Cheers
Chris

[Patman]

well look at your upper control arms, they might already have camber kit installed. I think the older trucks came from the factory with them.