My truck has low miles on it now and feels good...but I'm also concerned about the front end items and when they should be serviced, as I've been reading seems like over time this area of the truck needs to be given some attention... so far I've looked into certain parts which I was hoping you guys could give me some advice on both service interval and replacement alternatives (from stock if better):

1) Upper and lower balljoints
2) stering stabilizer
3) track bar upgrade (heard that the '03 nd up conversion is a good way to go on these)
4) control arms

Did I miss anything, like bushings or something that are prone to being replaced (maybe with a better alternative?)

Rip Rook's Source Automotive is a place that has some parts for the above...there may be other places...

any advice would be appreciated...thanks

 

I went with all Moog parts on my front end. Balljoints,trackbar, and tierods. For a steering stabilizer I put on a Rancho. In the future I might upgrade to the 3rd gen trackbar. The good thing about Moog parts is their lifetime warranty.

 

I don't think you have to worry about control arms. If something go bad are the bushings but I never had a truck that needed replaced them, unless you lift, lower, or wreck it.

 

good tips...you also mentioned you did tierods which I didn't have on my list...what are the first things to go bad? tierods? upper/lower ball joints? or what else? and at around what mileage? I'm trying to come up with a plan for servicing the front end that makes the most sense in terms of what needs replaced when and what would be easy to upgrade at the time so I don't have to do those parts soon thereafter.

Moog is good stuff; if so then worth looking into for lifetime warranty (which hopefully the parts will be good enough not to need it, for at least a long while)

 

not going to lift or lower the truck; I like the stock height and stance. If the bushings go bad think it'd be good to get some nice aftermarket replacements with a stiffer bushing than stock for security? Can you replace bushings w/out replacing the control arm; on some cars you can't and on some you can...dunno about our trucks?

 

My lower balljoints were alot worse than the uppers. And my outer tierods seemed to have more play than the inners. my front end had been getting a "loose" feeling since 85,000 miles. I did the job last weekend @ 114,000. I should have done them sooner but I never had the time or an extra vehicle to drive in the two days I had it down. When doing my front I decided to replace everything at once so I don't have to go back in there in a few months for something else. My list of parts is balljoints, tierods (including the adjusting sleeves), wheel bearings (one was bad), trackbar (did it back in the summer) and axle shaft u-joints. the thing I like about all my new parts is that its all greasable except the bearings, they are a sealed unit.

 

Can anybody shed some light on the 3rd gen. track bar swap? What all do i need and whats all involved?

 

i am also very interested in the 3rd gen track bar swap

 

Me three! I'm going to rebuild mine in the next month or so. I'm also going to use Moog parts.

 

looks like everyone is going MOOG all the way!

 

Well the parts are guaranteed for life. If you keep your recite that's about $850 you won't have to spend again. And i hear that the 2ND gens are very hard on the front end. So it's possible you'll be replacing them down the road again. And maybe again.

 

I'm very interested myself but not wanting to threadjack.I think we should start a new thread on this topic.
Ken

 

hi guys..where can I find MOOG fr end parts for my 99 2500?? shop, ebay...

 

Heres a link to check out.
http://www.solidsteel.ca/Trackbar.htm
Don't know who carries this in your area, but I do know its fruitless to try to contact solidsteel directly.

 

Your inquiries will come to fruition if you use www.solidsteel.biz

That is russell's site, and he does and will answer any and all questions relating to his product. He is excellent to deal with, really easy going fellow.

Marv Windecker is no longer associated with the guys who build and sell the solid steel products, and has not been for several years now.

I have dealt with Russell extensively, and I can tell you that you won't find a more stand-up guy when it comes to the products that he builds and sells.

Good luck with your front end parts