So throw in inner/outer tie rods? Sway bar links and bushings can be done without needing an alignment, correct?

How much of a headache am I looking at with getting the lower control arm bushings out and replaced?

 

THREAD REVIVAL! Any other advice before I order the front end parts I should have ordered almost a year ago?

For tie rods, I need two inner and two outer, correct?

 

On your question about "another alignment". What he was saying was you would need an alignment after each part replacement if you do it in partial replacements. Do it all at one time and have it aligned once upon completion.

 

I understand. But I was under the impression that sway bar components could be replaced without the truck needing an alignment.

Upon further consideration I am thinking of just replacing the entire lower control arms, complete with new bushings and balljoints. With complete upper and lower arms, I could do this job in the driveway, rather than having to worry about someone replacing the lower balljoint and bushings in the LCA. The labor cost would offset the cost of the complete LCA.

Total cost for complete UCAs and LCAs from RockAuto is $430 or so.

Thoughts?

 

Patman is a great source of info on this type of work. He has worked on two trucks for me. He knows his stuff.

 

Correct that sway bar has nothing to do with the alignment, other than removing it and taking 20 lbs off the front end. No biggie there.

Unless you have noticeable bushing clunk/wear I wouldn't think you need anything other than just the ball joints and outer tie rods (and shocks)

 

I debated paying the labor to have the lower ball joints replaced, but my mechanic quoted me $200 labor to replace both upper and lower complete control arms with ball joints and bushings already installed. I am going to do Rancho QuickLift struts while everything is apart. Throwing in two outer and two inner tie rods.

Moment of truth, what else do I need to look at? Is there even anything else to look at?

 

O'Reily's and AutoZone both have carry MOOG. O'Reily's charges a premium. AutoZone gets their parts from Federal I think and one of their supplies is MOOG if I remember correctly. I would just keep getting the same part sent over from other stores until the MOOG ones showed up. I know I did this for 555 parts for my Toyotas.