Front End Rebuild

akpow · 10-17-2008, 02:29 PM

I need to have the front end rebuilt on my 99 silverado. Brought it in for an estimate and this is what i was told: replace ball joints (upper and lower), Pitman arm, Idler Arm, Idler Arm bracket, Tie Rods, and front right wheel hub.

My Questions are:

What tools do i need to get to do this?
i know i need the ball joint splitter, but what else is needed or recommended. Rather buy tools than pay for labor

Is there any order of operation to ease the pain?

and should i just let some of this be done at the shop?

the truck has 170,000 miles

bradrhale · 10-17-2008, 03:21 PM

besides the pickle fork, there is nothing special that you will need. i have done some ball joints without one. just remember that when you get done, that your next stop is going to be an alignment.
by the way, when taking the hub off, do NOT let the caliper hang by the line. alot of people do that and have problems with that brake later down the road. stick a 5 gal bucket upside down under there and let it sit on that.
cant remember if those joints are riveted in there or not. if they are, then you will have to drill them out and go back with bolts.

75K30 · 10-17-2008, 03:50 PM

You are going to have to find some way to take the entire load off of the springs. This is true whether or not your truck has torsion bars or coil springs.
Once you remove the tension, the upper a-arm and the lower arm can be seperated.
Depending on application, you may have to press the old units out, and you may even have to grind the rivets. Again this is purely based upon which style you have.
An alignment will be required, and many of the tools you need, such as the presses, and pickle forks can be rented from some auto parts for free if you purchase tools form them.
Be very careful if you are attempting to remove any type of spring for the first time. These suspension springs store deadly forces, and can hurt you if you are not careful.

gmctrucks · 10-17-2008, 05:25 PM

This might help you just go to search above on You-Tube and type in where you need help in to do the front end or buy a Chilton's Manuel.
YouTube - How to Replace a Truck Ball Joint : How to Press In a Truck's Lower Ball Joint

akpow · 10-20-2008, 11:11 AM

It has Torsion bars. I think there are bolts that i can loosen to relieve the pressure on the arms. is this correct?

87c10slammer · 10-20-2008, 11:18 AM

yeah in the back of the bars.... it really wont make much of a difference weather or not you relive them.... once you get it up off the ground put a jack stand under the truck and then put your jack under the arm and apply a little pressure to it... this way you can control when you want the spring to pop out... and you wont be right infront of it... usually if you lower the jack gently enough the spring wont even move... wait this is torshion bar lol never mind worrying about the spring poping out but it is a good idea to keep the jack under the arm and once you get the lower ball joint popped you can lower the jack and remove your tourshion bars...

10-17-2008, 02:29 PM	#1
akpow Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 6	Front End Rebuild I need to have the front end rebuilt on my 99 silverado. Brought it in for an estimate and this is what i was told: replace ball joints (upper and lower), Pitman arm, Idler Arm, Idler Arm bracket, Tie Rods, and front right wheel hub. My Questions are: What tools do i need to get to do this? i know i need the ball joint splitter, but what else is needed or recommended. Rather buy tools than pay for labor Is there any order of operation to ease the pain? and should i just let some of this be done at the shop? the truck has 170,000 miles

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10-17-2008, 03:21 PM	#2
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,025	besides the pickle fork, there is nothing special that you will need. i have done some ball joints without one. just remember that when you get done, that your next stop is going to be an alignment. by the way, when taking the hub off, do NOT let the caliper hang by the line. alot of people do that and have problems with that brake later down the road. stick a 5 gal bucket upside down under there and let it sit on that. cant remember if those joints are riveted in there or not. if they are, then you will have to drill them out and go back with bolts.

10-17-2008, 03:50 PM	#3
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,992	You are going to have to find some way to take the entire load off of the springs. This is true whether or not your truck has torsion bars or coil springs. Once you remove the tension, the upper a-arm and the lower arm can be seperated. Depending on application, you may have to press the old units out, and you may even have to grind the rivets. Again this is purely based upon which style you have. An alignment will be required, and many of the tools you need, such as the presses, and pickle forks can be rented from some auto parts for free if you purchase tools form them. Be very careful if you are attempting to remove any type of spring for the first time. These suspension springs store deadly forces, and can hurt you if you are not careful.

10-17-2008, 05:25 PM	#4
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 4,033	This might help you just go to search above on You-Tube and type in where you need help in to do the front end or buy a Chilton's Manuel. YouTube - How to Replace a Truck Ball Joint : How to Press In a Truck's Lower Ball Joint

10-20-2008, 11:11 AM	#5
akpow Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 6	It has Torsion bars. I think there are bolts that i can loosen to relieve the pressure on the arms. is this correct?

10-20-2008, 11:18 AM	#6
87c10slammer Banned Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: levittown pa Posts: 2,197	yeah in the back of the bars.... it really wont make much of a difference weather or not you relive them.... once you get it up off the ground put a jack stand under the truck and then put your jack under the arm and apply a little pressure to it... this way you can control when you want the spring to pop out... and you wont be right infront of it... usually if you lower the jack gently enough the spring wont even move... wait this is torshion bar lol never mind worrying about the spring poping out but it is a good idea to keep the jack under the arm and once you get the lower ball joint popped you can lower the jack and remove your tourshion bars...