"while your at it" items when installing 3/4 drop kit - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jrblanke · 09-28-2012, 04:34 PM

Hey guys,
I was just wondering what extra "while your at it" items you would give attention to when installing the 3/4 drop kit (front spindles, hanger/shackles)? I'm thinking about replacing the ball joints, and dropping the fuel tanks to clean them out. I also might paint the wheels while they are off.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

James

UKNOWME · 09-28-2012, 04:46 PM

Any and all front end components that are worn since you will need to align if after. Take it to an alignment shop and have them "shake down the front end" and tell you what to replace when you're doing the drop and then take it back to them for the alignment. Just my .02

54Caddy · 09-28-2012, 05:00 PM

When ever i lower a truck i always rebuild the front end at the same time. inner and outer tie rod ends, pitman arm, idler arm, upper lower ball joints, front bearings, a-arm bushings, in the rear would put new bushings in leafs, and new u-joints.

UKNOWME · 10-31-2012, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrblanke

Hey guys,
I was just wondering what extra "while your at it" items you would give attention to when installing the 3/4 drop kit (front spindles, hanger/shackles)? I'm thinking about replacing the ball joints, and dropping the fuel tanks to clean them out. I also might paint the wheels while they are off.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

James

Have you done your drop yet?

jrblanke · 10-31-2012, 01:03 PM

No, I have not finished doing the drop. I think I started too many things at once and now have not finished any of them.

I did get the bed off this past weekend. I am going to remove and clean the tanks to ensure that I dont have any crap going up to the carb now that I have rebuilt it. Once I get the tanks off, I am going to wire brush and paint the frame,rear end, and springs.

After I paint those items, I will cut the front hangers off and then remove the rear shackles.

Since the front end parts look to be in pretty good shape, and the truck wasn't really loose when I drove it, I will probably not replace the ball joints unless I damage them. I tried to get the tie rod end off and was unsuccessfull. I believe I need a bigger hammer. I have not ever replaced or worked on ball joints/tie rod ends before, so this is a new experience for me.

I will update this thread when I get the suspension parts on.

88Jimmy4x4 · 10-31-2012, 01:08 PM

you need to replace wheel bearings for sure and check rear leaf bushings they are usually dry rotted

gchemist · 10-31-2012, 03:08 PM

Install polygraphite bushings!! Paint everything with rust proof paint. If not, at least powerwash it all.

jrblanke · 10-31-2012, 04:17 PM

I should have added that my plans were to clean, inspect, and repack the bearings. I have power washed everything from the cab back and I am planning to use an angle grinder to wire brush the frame, springs, and rear end. Then I will paint it with some rustolium primer and paint. I bought spray can primer, but bought black paint that I will put on with a roller. I am replacing the rear shocks with some new ones from procomp (same ones cue ball recommended). I believe I am going to clean and paint the front calipers, dust shields, and A arms as well.

Thanks for the suggestions

09-28-2012, 04:34 PM	#1
jrblanke Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 240	"while your at it" items when installing 3/4 drop kit Hey guys, I was just wondering what extra "while your at it" items you would give attention to when installing the 3/4 drop kit (front spindles, hanger/shackles)? I'm thinking about replacing the ball joints, and dropping the fuel tanks to clean them out. I also might paint the wheels while they are off. Any other suggestions? Thanks, James

09-28-2012, 04:46 PM	#2
UKNOWME Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Clovis, NM Posts: 2,705	Re: "while your at it" items when installing 3/4 drop kit Any and all front end components that are worn since you will need to align if after. Take it to an alignment shop and have them "shake down the front end" and tell you what to replace when you're doing the drop and then take it back to them for the alignment. Just my .02 __________________ 2018 Audi S5- wife's ride 1980 Chevy Scottsdale http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=543511 1981 Chevy Silverado- in pieces 1964 Chevy c10 2017 Jeep Wrangler JKU

09-28-2012, 05:00 PM	#3
54Caddy GM Addicted Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Visalia, Ca Posts: 2,294	Re: "while your at it" items when installing 3/4 drop kit When ever i lower a truck i always rebuild the front end at the same time. inner and outer tie rod ends, pitman arm, idler arm, upper lower ball joints, front bearings, a-arm bushings, in the rear would put new bushings in leafs, and new u-joints. __________________ ..Mac’s Garage.. 73 GMC, 54 Caddy, 2010 Silverado, 68 C10 RIP DAd My 73 GMC Truck Build Pic 2010 Silverado 4/6 on 24s IG:MacsGarage

10-31-2012, 01:03 PM	#5
jrblanke Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 240	Re: "while your at it" items when installing 3/4 drop kit No, I have not finished doing the drop. I think I started too many things at once and now have not finished any of them. I did get the bed off this past weekend. I am going to remove and clean the tanks to ensure that I dont have any crap going up to the carb now that I have rebuilt it. Once I get the tanks off, I am going to wire brush and paint the frame,rear end, and springs. After I paint those items, I will cut the front hangers off and then remove the rear shackles. Since the front end parts look to be in pretty good shape, and the truck wasn't really loose when I drove it, I will probably not replace the ball joints unless I damage them. I tried to get the tie rod end off and was unsuccessfull. I believe I need a bigger hammer. I have not ever replaced or worked on ball joints/tie rod ends before, so this is a new experience for me. I will update this thread when I get the suspension parts on.

10-31-2012, 01:08 PM	#6
88Jimmy4x4 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: houston, texas Posts: 1,974	Re: "while your at it" items when installing 3/4 drop kit you need to replace wheel bearings for sure and check rear leaf bushings they are usually dry rotted __________________ 2008 Silverado Z71 RCSB 1991 GMC Jimmy 4x4 1976 GMC Sierra C15 SWB

10-31-2012, 03:08 PM	#7
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: "while your at it" items when installing 3/4 drop kit Install polygraphite bushings!! Paint everything with rust proof paint. If not, at least powerwash it all. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

10-31-2012, 04:17 PM	#8
jrblanke Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 240	Re: "while your at it" items when installing 3/4 drop kit I should have added that my plans were to clean, inspect, and repack the bearings. I have power washed everything from the cab back and I am planning to use an angle grinder to wire brush the frame, springs, and rear end. Then I will paint it with some rustolium primer and paint. I bought spray can primer, but bought black paint that I will put on with a roller. I am replacing the rear shocks with some new ones from procomp (same ones cue ball recommended). I believe I am going to clean and paint the front calipers, dust shields, and A arms as well. Thanks for the suggestions



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