Suspension issues.....again.

carlover · May 27, 2007

Fabtech lift installed with some issues.

Putting on my fabtech lift spindles today. Wouldnt u know it ran into some problems as usual when i touch this truck. The upper ball joints are both toast, and the lower ones would not come off the spindle for anything. All ball joints are less than 5 months old. The lowers are still in good shape but were literally "stuck" to the spindle, i broke two ball joint seperators trying to get them off. I thought the ball joints lasted longer than this??? they were greased regularly.......well i guess its time to replace them again.

carlover · May 27, 2007

mcquay-norris. The lowers were totally seized, i can barely even move them by hand.

Tbars4 · May 27, 2007

need a ride to the store??? did you get my pm on the sport???

DixieOnMyMind59 · May 27, 2007

carlover said:
lower ones would not come off the spindle for anything.

Try the sledge hammer method...whack the upper part of the spindle with a 10lb sledge while a trusted friend holds it upright. Worked for me when nothing else would.

Colton

carlover · May 27, 2007

kragen replaced the lower ones under the lifetime warranty. Im gonna try to get them to do the same with the uppers tommorow.

carlover · May 27, 2007

i need help badly now... the spindles were sold to me with the upper arms still attached. They were overtightened and now i can get the ball joint out. The bolt is out but that damn arm and joint will not come out. What can i do to get them out?

Tbars4 · May 27, 2007

if you need a spare set of hands i can come out...do you have a fork or something you can use???

carlover · May 27, 2007

i broke two set of forks already. im just gonna use the arms attached to the spindle, they are worn out but ill figure something out soon. Thanks for the offer though i really appreciate it.

Tbars4 · May 27, 2007

i always use a plumbers torch of mapp gas to loosen parts....a bottle and nosel you can purchase at home depot for about 20 or 30 bucks....just be sure to use mapp gas as it is a hotter gas and will make quick work...heat the female part of what you are taking off as it will expand the metal...sometimes the heat alone will burn off the rust and such....good luck

Xan · May 28, 2007

ok, i'm gonna say heating is a bad idea heating will make your metal weaker. So is a sledge you might end up breaking bending or cracking something. take your A arm to some buddy with a press, thats the proper way to put them in and take them out i did it when i was in school on my z28 . all though i have used the forks, actualy i got a fork on my air hammer.

Dan Whitaker · May 28, 2007

they were greased regularly

How often did you grease them? Over greasing is as bad as not as all.

If they were only five months old you maybe should have greased them once but that's it.

Also if the grease you used was not compatible with the grease that was in the ball joints from the factory the grease could have solidified and caused the ball joints to fail.

Tbars4 · May 28, 2007

xan....easy boy....heating it up to take it apart is not a bad thing...any doubts he can quench it in oil...it will not get hot enough to change it's temper...it will get rust and whatever to seperate from the metal and thats all he needs to pop it loose....

Tbars4 · May 28, 2007

hey, how's your project going??? did you get it all together???got some pics???

carlover · May 28, 2007

got one side back together. one of the new ball joints didnt have a grease boot so i have to go back and get it today or tommorow. This is just another pain in the a** project on this truck.

carlover · May 28, 2007

im gonna need some front brake lines. Any one know which stainless steel ones i can use?? 4wheelparts doesnt list any for a 96 explorer. Any other year or model vehicles?

Tbars4 · May 28, 2007

if you go to 4wheel in person they can help ... it's one of those items, you might even be able to call them and tell them what you need and see if it's in stock or next day for sure...sorry i don't have none for ya though

carlover · May 29, 2007

well they are on. The front fenders sit 42.5 inches off the ground. It has a mean rake now lol. The only issue left is the snap ring on the lower ball joint on the right side came off and now the ball joint is slipping out. So its parked and ill have to pull the right side completely apart again. im thinking 35's will fit....hmmmmmm tempting...

Tbars4 · May 29, 2007

35's are whats on my x....the jump from 33's to 35's, i would really look into first, only in reference to tranny, driveline and other possible problems...not counting fuel milage...

carlover · May 29, 2007

i wont jump to 35's until i put in at least 4.56's, if not 4.88's. I have 4.10's now and even with the 33's it has some problems in certain situations.

Tbars4 · May 29, 2007

i was heading out and caught your message...once i get mine running one of the things i need to do is verify gearing...it was a kid's truck so who knows, i might be with you on shopping for gears...good luck on your parts run today...

Suspension issues.....again.

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