How hard is it to replace front suspension?

epix

epix

Typhoon
Well I took my Typhoon into a local shop to get an alignment, they are telling me that I need to repair my front suspension balljoints, pitman arm and a few other parts and quoted me $800 to get it done.

I would rather try to do it myself but I am not much of a mechanical person. How hard is it to change the front stock suspension? Are any specialty tools needed?
 
ty166

ty166

Donating Member
Re: How hard is it to replace front suspension?

you will need a pitman arm puller, and i found it easier to just pull the steering box and do the pitman arm on the bench. if your doing ball joints and pitman arm your half way to doing a whole front end, might as well replace the tie rod ends and idler arm also. front end work isnt that tough , you did all that work on your truck yourself, front end should be a walk in the park.
 
jjorgensen52

jjorgensen52

NHSTE - I'm the only one!
Re: How hard is it to replace front suspension?

Front end work is pretty easy stuff, yeah. You need the previously mentioned tools, plus a pickle fork and ball joint seperator (these are cheap and they come in handy for a lot of other stuff too :lol: ). Pretty straight forward to do. If they did do the aligment already, you can just match the parts up and you'll be good to go.

Personally, I'd estimate that I could do it in 3 1/2 hours, but I've done a few S-series before. Definitely a one afternoon project, especially if you have a die grinder / air chisel

Here's a list of parts and prices from a vendor I use (www.rockauto.com)

1993 GMC TYPHOON 4.3L 262cid V6 TBI Turbo (Z)
Part.............................................. ...................................per........core ............total
Steering : Tie Rod End Adjusting Sleeve
MOOG Part # ES2004S {Adjusting Sleeve} Frt Strg; 4WD....$10.14 $0.00..........$20.28

Steering : Tie Rod End
MOOG Part # ES2072RLT {Tie Rod End}Inner; 4WD; .........$54.89 $0.00..........$109.78
MOOG Part # ES2249RLT {Tie Rod End}Outer; 4WD;.........$37.79 $0.00..........$75.58

Suspension : Ball Joint
MOOG Part # K5289 {Ball Joint} Frt Susp; Lower; 4WD.......$45.79 $0.00..........$91.58
MOOG Part # K5320 {Ball Joint} Frt Susp; Upper; 4WD.......$49.79 $0.00.........$99.58

Steering : Idler Arm
MOOG Part # K6251T {Idler Arm} Frt Strg; 4WD;.................$40.89 $0.00.........$40.89

Steering : Pitman Arm
MOOG Part # K6339 {Pitman Arm}.....................................$39.79 $0.00...........$39.79

Subtotal $477.48


Unless you want to change the bushings and torsion bar mounts too, that's what you'll need.

You could also shop with our own Mike Hood ;) here
 
warmpancakes

warmpancakes

New member
Re: How hard is it to replace front suspension?

Gravy, I have a buddy who will blow rock autos prices out of the water, I can come down and help you do the work if needed
 
jjorgensen52

jjorgensen52

NHSTE - I'm the only one!
Re: How hard is it to replace front suspension?

warmpancakes said:
Gravy, I have a buddy who will blow rock autos prices out of the water, I can come down and help you do the work if needed
Click to expand...
Not all of us have insider connections :lol: ... the next time I need front end parts I'll PM you
 
warmpancakes

warmpancakes

New member
Re: How hard is it to replace front suspension?

jjorgensen52 said:
Not all of us have insider connections :lol: ... the next time I need front end parts I'll PM you
Click to expand...

Thats fine I have been in parts for 15ish years I have all sorts of connections mostly on the OE side
 
SY1616

SY1616

Donating Member
Re: How hard is it to replace front suspension?

Sounds about right. I had the pitmann arm, idler arm, upper and lower ball joints and an alignment done for $1,000 last week. Good luck!
 
TYRODD

TYRODD

My ass. Look at it.
Re: How hard is it to replace front suspension?

Im in the process of doing this AS I TYPE :) Lower ball joints sucked, I was unaware that you had to loosen the CVs to get enough clearance to remove the lower BJ/control arm. Im gonna try and remember to make a list of all the TOOLS you will need... :tup:
 
dgoodhue

dgoodhue

BuSTeD 4.3
Re: How hard is it to replace front suspension?

TYRODD said:
Im in the process of doing this AS I TYPE :) Lower ball joints sucked, I was unaware that you had to loosen the CVs to get enough clearance to remove the lower BJ/control arm. Im gonna try and remember to make a list of all the TOOLS you will need... :tup:
Click to expand...

You should loosen the CV axle nut before you take any apart :)

It a 36mm deep and if you don't have an impact gun, you should have someone step on the brakes while you use a breaker bar (I use a pipe over it for additional leverage as well) I have tried loosen it with the truck tire on the concrete floor and I all I do is spin the tire.

Its not a terribly hard project but its also not a beginner project either.
 
9

92Typhoon1679

Member
Re: How hard is it to replace front suspension?

92Typhoon1679 said:
I replaced All my front moving joints from a store on Ebay for about $150.00 Pitman arm Everything that moved..Except front wheel bearings which is next..for $69.00 each.. Have fun with the pitman arm its not easy to get the nut off and getting a puller in there is almost imposible..Believe me...
Click to expand...
 
mmp142965

mmp142965

say it like you spell it!
Re: How hard is it to replace front suspension?

92Typhoon1679 said:
92Typhoon1679 said:
I replaced All my front moving joints from a store on Ebay for about $150.00 Pitman arm Everything that moved..Except front wheel bearings which is next..for $69.00 each.. Have fun with the pitman arm its not easy to get the nut off and getting a puller in there is almost imposible..Believe me...
Click to expand...
your better off pulling the 3 bolts out that hold the steering box in and either moving it or pulling it out all together. You might be able to get the nut off but you will never fit a puller for the pitman arm when the box is bolted in.
Click to expand...
 
TYPHOOL7

TYPHOOL7

Post Hawk
Re: How hard is it to replace front suspension?

jjorgensen52 said:
How on earth does your truck look so clean underneath?

EDIT: Nevermind, I hate all you southern people for not having to deal with rust :lol:
Click to expand...
Clean???? Dont make me snap a pic of the bottom of my Cali truck.. itll make your eyes bleed with cleanliness. :D
 
jjorgensen52

jjorgensen52

NHSTE - I'm the only one!
Re: How hard is it to replace front suspension?

TYPHOOL7 said:
Clean???? Dont make me snap a pic of the bottom of my Cali truck.. itll make your eyes bleed with cleanliness. :D
Click to expand...

Nah, my truckl is clean underneath now. It just took 3 years and a lot of work to get it there (to stay :D )
 
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