Front end is almost done

[pdxrealtor]

New hubs installed no problem at all. 2 hour job for someone like myself who can figure anything out, maybe quicker if you've done it before.

I put lower ball joints in, MOOG, and that is where the extra work comes in. An old post I read was correct. You must remove the half shaft and stabilizer link to get the press in and remove the lower ball joints.

The other very time consuming task was the pitman arm removal. On top of that I was doing the Cognito support kit (god it looks pretty! ) and I had installed some hardware that needed to be removed again just to install the Cognito kit.

I also did the steering stabilizer which if doing only that task would have kicked my ass. It wasn't until I dropped the center link that I could pound out the passenger side ball stud holding the old stabilizer to the center link.

There's a lot of info on the net RE: all of this work and honestly it saved my A*ss.

I started this job Monday at about 4pm and today is Thursday. I started working at 12-1 each day and worked until dark, 8:30 - 9:30.

I still need to install the upper control arms as I found a ripped upper ball joint boot on passenger side, or I ripped it taking out the lower joint.

That's easy though.

If anyone has any questions because they might be doing this job in the future now is the time to ask. It's all fresh on my mind and there are several little time saving tricks along the way.

Doing the job myself was worth it just knowing things were done right and if something is F'd up I did it, and know how to fix it. VS having some D*cki head shop guy doing it for me and god knows the end result.

[glennf1]

The best part is now you have the knowledge for anything that happens with the front end in the future. Nice wrenching!

[pdxrealtor]

Thanks, and for sure.

Did you see the latest? The new UCA has a ripped bj boot. Gets better every day.

I should take this down time and work on installing the long tubes. But it's 90+ here and just doesn't seem like much fun.

[Joe]

eagerly awaiting word on the long tube install. Pretty much holding up my purchase of the OBX until I see what you think. No pressure, but hurry up

Are you also doing a CAT back? Cant recall.

[pdxrealtor]

LOL... no catback, just the long tubes with HF cats.

I'm really battling with myself... do I want to do the install or pay someone to do it. After the front end work I just need a break so I can think clearly.

Once I think clearly I will certainly beat myself for even thinking of having someone install them!