front end needs work... ideas, tips, suggestions?

[wintergreen]

Hey everyone,

My 99 Yukon SLT 4x4 needs some front end work. I am looking at doing it myself in a rented bay with a full lift. Currently I think it needs ball joints, shocks, and maybe a half-shaft.

I've never worked on a front end. Just brakes and engines. So this is new to me. I am also interested in upgrades or improvements. Such as leveling, or a lift kit/suspension.

I hear MOOG is the way to go for ball joints. I am also aware that Ebay has "front end kits" for sale. Also, there's no other package deal out there, I found out you just buy all the parts from the auto parts store.

Does anyone know of a good book or PDF or intro to front ends? Its worth a shot. It just seems like a bunch of important parts crammed in there all working together. I don't want to miss something important or do anything wrong. I also don't want to pay a shop to do this for me, and I want to learn how to do this myself...

Thanks

 

[SunlitComet]

use moog parts or gm parts only. use no kits from kits from ebay unless they include those manufacturers. rock auto and amazon can get you good pricing in most cases. not really any great books but this might help. get a service manual for you vehicle so you have basic procedures and torque values handy. you will still need to go to a shop to get an alignment done so get your whole suspension in perfect working order before doing so.

 

[wintergreen]

Thank you!

I guess i was trying to ask something like "How do I know what to replace?", "Do I just throw parts at it and call it a new front end?".

The tires aren't wearing badly yet but the front of the truck makes noises for sure. squeak here, clunk there, thud thud thud.

Could I look at the front end kits on ebay and buy those respective parts MOOG or GM?

I guess Ill head over to the store and see what I can figure out there. Thanks again for answering my questions...

 

[SunlitComet]

some here just rebuild the whole front end but it depends on your budget and short-long term goals. if you can get pics of the damage and more details of things it helps us help you. don't bother with the kits on ebay actually for reference more trouble then it is worth. just say what you want and i will get you the proper information on the part. get your self a haynes manual that will explain how to check for front end parts wear or get a subscription to alldatadiy.com for access to the factory service manual of your specific vehicle.

 

[Angus1921]

I personally would do it all if you have the time and money. Like you said there is a bunch of stuff all tied together working together. Your front end is only as strong as your weakest link and if something else needs replacing later on then your under your truck again and opening your wallet for another allignment. when it would only take a little bit longer. IMO Ball Joints are the biggest pain to do on the front end.

Not sure about where your are but most allignment shops in my area will turn you away if your whole front end is not up to par.

 

[SunlitComet]

all of them should until the damaged components are fixed. anything less is dishonest work and quality of shop.

 

[wintergreen]

I'm in Arizona. Lots and lots of shops all over the place. I plan on getting the work done at a DIY bay rental place.$20/hour and includes full lift and tools. I also just bought the factory service manuals off ebay.

I'm going to look at replacing as much as possible at one time. Also need to get under there for cat converter. Service Engine light came on and is a 130 code for catalytic converter low efficiency bank 2. Maybe another thread for that one.

These high mileage trucks always need something. Thanks for the help.

 

[SunlitComet]

had a shop like that in okc for the few months i was there. they are great. and you probably meant p0430 code not 130. at any rate: www.amazon.com/Magnaflow-23453-Catalytic-Converter-compliant/dp/B000JKNGY8/ will do you very nicely being in AZ.

 

[neosoul]

So I have a 98 2 door tahoe 4x4 and I also want to rebuild my entire front end can someone provide a shopping list of parts for a newbie such as myself.

 

[willxfs]

My rig is a 98 2door 4wd with 240K miles. Here's what I recently changed.

Ball joints - upper and lower, both sides
Inner and outer tie rods - both sides
Center Link - just cause everything else was being changed
Pitman Arm
Idler Arm
Idler Arm bracket

I bought all Moog parts from Rock Auto. I forget exactly but all that will run you 350 to 450 in parts. Rock Auto and Amazon have great prices on quality parts.