Front Suspension Rebuild

duckshepherd · 02-02-2009, 03:06 PM

The steering on my 1994 Mazda B4000 pick-up has a tenancy to pull to the right. It's been that way since I bought it used. I thought it might be a simple matter of getting the steering aligned, so I took it to a shop only to be told that my ball joints needed to replaced before I could get a proper alignment job done. To save money, I replaced the ball-joints myself, then took my truck back to the shop to have the steering aligned. They guy at the shop was able to align it as best he could, but he told me that my front suspension was shot. My Steering is still kinda goofy. The steering wheel used to jerk once in awhile right after I got it aligned. It doesn't do that anymore, but it's back to pulling to the right again.

What's all entailed in getting the front suspension fixed? Do I simply need new coil springs and shocks? Are there tie rod connections I should replace?

leolkfrm · 02-02-2009, 05:10 PM

I think it's time to find another alignment shop. They should have quoted you a price for what needs to be done for a sucessful alignment. It is had to check your suspension accuratley without seeing it!

z07 · 02-02-2009, 05:12 PM

Well there’s a lot of stuff to check, really. I would ask the shop if they could tell you more specifically what “shot” means in terms of worn items in your truck’s front suspension.

Has the truck’s ride height been altered from factory? (E.G. Jacked/slammed)
Is there an alignment procedure for the rear end?
Is the front suspension coil-over-shocks or traditional springs and shock?
Are the bushings from any anti-sway bars missing, cracked, or otherwise degraded?
Are you still running on the same tires as before the ball-joint replacement and alignment?
Are the shocks gas charged?

02-02-2009, 03:06 PM	#1
duckshepherd Full Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Palmer, AK Posts: 11	Front Suspension Rebuild The steering on my 1994 Mazda B4000 pick-up has a tenancy to pull to the right. It's been that way since I bought it used. I thought it might be a simple matter of getting the steering aligned, so I took it to a shop only to be told that my ball joints needed to replaced before I could get a proper alignment job done. To save money, I replaced the ball-joints myself, then took my truck back to the shop to have the steering aligned. They guy at the shop was able to align it as best he could, but he told me that my front suspension was shot. My Steering is still kinda goofy. The steering wheel used to jerk once in awhile right after I got it aligned. It doesn't do that anymore, but it's back to pulling to the right again. What's all entailed in getting the front suspension fixed? Do I simply need new coil springs and shocks? Are there tie rod connections I should replace?

02-02-2009, 05:10 PM	#2
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,225	I think it's time to find another alignment shop. They should have quoted you a price for what needs to be done for a sucessful alignment. It is had to check your suspension accuratley without seeing it! __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

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02-02-2009, 05:12 PM	#3
z07 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 391	Well there’s a lot of stuff to check, really. I would ask the shop if they could tell you more specifically what “shot” means in terms of worn items in your truck’s front suspension. Has the truck’s ride height been altered from factory? (E.G. Jacked/slammed) Is there an alignment procedure for the rear end? Is the front suspension coil-over-shocks or traditional springs and shock? Are the bushings from any anti-sway bars missing, cracked, or otherwise degraded? Are you still running on the same tires as before the ball-joint replacement and alignment? Are the shocks gas charged?