Something I've Always Wanted To Know

[jro909]

i've never been real suspension savvy, so i've always been curious what are the signs of front end wear? do greasing the front end bits like the ball joints really help? kind of a random question but this is my first truck i am super anal about...my old one was beyond keeping up on its maintance when i got it lol

[Nytemare]

i've never been real suspension savvy, so i've always been curious what are the signs of front end wear? do greasing the front end bits like the ball joints really help? kind of a random question but this is my first truck i am super anal about...my old one was beyond keeping up on its maintance when i got it lol

Oh yeah...greasing sure does help.

Think about it....if the grease is all gone, than the joints are metal on metal.

 

 

signs are usually a clicking fron the front end when driving over bumps...than you know its really gone.

 

To check ball joints, you lift the truck and get a large screwdriver between the bottom of the joint and a solid metal surface, than pry up on it...if there is movement...your ball joint is toast.

 

Tie rods are checked by grabbing the wheel at 3 and 9...than rock back and forth...if there is slop than tierods are done.

 

Those are some quick checks.

[Jsdirt]

If your roads are anything like ours here in the peoples republic of MA, that clicking will turn to rattling, then finally a bang over every bump. We're one of the richest states in the union, but they only pave roads near Boston, where all the politicians live. Go figure.

 

Do the checks Nytemare listed on a regular basis, & continue greasing as you have been ... and none of your ball joints or tie rod ends will get that far.

 

Hub bearings are a crap shoot - you can't maintain them, & you never know what your going to get. Some last over 100K and others only 30K miles. If you ever find yourself pumping the brakes to build up enough pressure to stop, accompanied by evil noises when cornering, that's a signal to find the number for a tow truck - because not one bearing will be left in the housing in 10 miles (don't ask how I know that one, lol). But regular checks will also prevent that situation from getting that far. CV joints seem to be tougher than they used to be - as long as the boots aren't torn. Pitman & Idler arms will make the steering vague with more play than it should -- that will also be found when checking tie rods.

[jrrod2004]

does this apply to 4WD vehicles or can it apply to 2WD vehicles as well???

[Matt_]

as a general/quick check... the following applies to almost all vehicles (2wd and 4wd)

 

Clock Positions

3 and 9 oclock play = tie rods, center link,etc steering parts are worn

12 and 6 oclock play = balljoints (see note below)

5 and 10 oclock play = wheel hub/bearing

 

note for balljoints: you often can not feel balljoint play if you have your truck jacked up from the frame. you must jack truck up from as far out on lower control arm as possible.

 

if play is felt in and of those hand positions, further diagnosis is required to determine exactly which joints/parts are bad.... its just an initial starting point.

[jro909]

what do you mean by slop on the various hand positions on the wheel?...ps thanks for the replys

[Nytemare]

what do you mean by slop on the various hand positions on the wheel?...ps thanks for the replys

You will feel a clear movement in the wheel... like a dead spot, or a spot that you can move the wheel without affecting anything else...Its a quite clear movement...and you will undoubtedly know when you feel it...It's hard to explain...but easy to feel.

[jro909]

what do you mean by slop on the various hand positions on the wheel?...ps thanks for the replys

You will feel a clear movement in the wheel... like a dead spot, or a spot that you can move the wheel without affecting anything else...Its a quite clear movement...and you will undoubtedly know when you feel it...It's hard to explain...but easy to feel.

 

 

 

ah yes the feeling like the steering wheel isen't atachted to anything?

[Matt_]

what do you mean by slop on the various hand positions on the wheel?...ps thanks for the replys

You will feel a clear movement in the wheel... like a dead spot, or a spot that you can move the wheel without affecting anything else...Its a quite clear movement...and you will undoubtedly know when you feel it...It's hard to explain...but easy to feel.

 

 

exactly.

 

its like trying to explain what a good burp feels like... its hard to put it in words... but when you feel it you'll know what it is.

[Matt_]

what do you mean by slop on the various hand positions on the wheel?...ps thanks for the replys

You will feel a clear movement in the wheel... like a dead spot, or a spot that you can move the wheel without affecting anything else...Its a quite clear movement...and you will undoubtedly know when you feel it...It's hard to explain...but easy to feel.

 

 

 

ah yes the feeling like the steering wheel isen't atachted to anything?

 

 

oooooohhhh. no no no.

 

lol you dont grab the steering wheel. you grab the TIRE with your hands in the "clock" positions and check for play.

 

you check for play by pushing with one hand and pulling with the other, and changing direction a few times (like shaking it back and forth.)

[Nytemare]

what do you mean by slop on the various hand positions on the wheel?...ps thanks for the replys

You will feel a clear movement in the wheel... like a dead spot, or a spot that you can move the wheel without affecting anything else...Its a quite clear movement...and you will undoubtedly know when you feel it...It's hard to explain...but easy to feel.

 

 

 

ah yes the feeling like the steering wheel isen't atachted to anything?

 

No No...the actual wheel and tire.

 

I really cant explain the feeling man...but everyone that has felt it knows what its like...its almost a sickly feeling...maybe cause we all know what happens if that feeling gets too sloppy....but it is quite unnerving of a feeling

[jro909]

so thers not a test that dosen't involve jacking the truck up? pretty much everything thats done to my truck is done at the dealer minus stupid stuff like air filters and light bulbs, they do rotate and do my alignments and everytime i'm told everythings tight but i like to keep on things

[Nytemare]

so thers not a test that dosen't involve jacking the truck up? pretty much everything thats done to my truck is done at the dealer minus stupid stuff like air filters and light bulbs, they do rotate and do my alignments and everytime i'm told everythings tight but i like to keep on things

Yeah, they'll let you know on the first sign man....It means money....you can be damn sure they will sprint to the counter to let you know there is front end play.

[jro909]

thats what i figured lol

[gmtech4]

and its hard to align when some parts have gone for a poop .

 

 

 

and i cannot believe you are anal lustworm ,with a million threads etc lmao.

 

i worked at a dealer for many yrs and let me tell ya ,I can go thru a front end REAL quick and severe cash goes in the wallet and the flat rate is VERY generous and after a few buzillion balljoints/pitman & idler arms and tie rod ends ,the speed and techniques make the job go REAL quick,and you look at each truck if its on the hoist and try your luck.

 

so if a tech has aligned your truck jrolustwormthreadmakinbeotch ,your good to go lmao