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Front 2wd suspension, time to replace

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Old 03-22-2016, 01:58 PM
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Default Front 2wd suspension, time to replace

So I have done some searching on here and no thread stands out for me. Most are for 4x4. I am looking to replace all my front end components. I did the upper control arms with Moog last fall and want to do the rest in a few weeks. So far I have it narrowed down to these parts, what else should I look at or give attention to?

Lower ball joints
Outer tie-rod ends
Inner tie-rods
Sway bar bushings


Thanks and any input on other parts to replace while I'm in there are welcome, any advice on the lower ball joints is also welcome.
Old 03-22-2016, 02:03 PM
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Struts
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Old 03-22-2016, 02:10 PM
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Sway bar links too unless that's what you're calling the sway bar bushings in your OP.
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Old 03-22-2016, 04:17 PM
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Okay sway bar links and struts (how the hell did I forget those) added.
Old 03-22-2016, 08:20 PM
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I'll second the Bilsteins. I put 4wd struts on mine (since I swapped in 4wd springs), but can't speak highly enough on having them at all 4 corners. The rears are outstanding with your old blocks!

Have a look at the endlinks and sway bar bushings -- mine were fine at 100K. I did do upper control arms, tie rod ends, lower ball joints. All of those needed to be replaced. I went Moog.

Is the boot for the inner tie rod cracked or damaged somehow? If not, I wouldn't bother.

The lower ball joint comes right out with the removal tool. Rent it at the auto parts store. No sweat.

The hardest part is compressing the springs and swapping the struts in. I use air tools, but go slow to compress and uncompress evenly. Never had one pop. I have a set of McPherson compressors.
Old 03-22-2016, 09:26 PM
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Thanks dom! I was under it this evening and from what I saw, just the tie rod ends and lower ball joints look bad. Sway bar links are fine as well as inner tie rod and boot is perfect, not even small cracks. Struts will be looked at but I dont want anything that will raise it. Thanks so far for all the suggestions!
Old 03-22-2016, 10:44 PM
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The 2wd Bilsteins will not raise the truck. But stick 'em at all 4 corners, you'll love the ride. It's worth having the matching set.
Old 03-22-2016, 11:47 PM
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Don't forget alignment after all the new parts!
Old 03-22-2016, 11:54 PM
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Originally Posted by 650NutKase
Don't forget alignment after all the new parts!
Of course.....lol
Old 03-22-2016, 11:56 PM
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Make sure you torque the lower strut bolt down hard. I can't remember the specific number but it's pretty high
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