Front suspension and steering overhaul

[JoeS]

I just finished replacing upper and lower controls arms, sway bar links, tie rods and center link. All Lemforder. I want to do this job only once in the next 50k miles. I found out it is a lot easier to take the steering mount off the bottom of the strut housing and disconnect the both controls arms from the frame - THEN beat the hell out of them when their off the car. I tried Eds trick of leaving nut on the thrust arm knuckle, then jacking the car up on it - then beating the hell out of it. It did not work for me.

I finally found my steering play. After I tightened up the big collar nut by the brake pedal, it was easy to find. The pitman arm coming off the steering box to center link has some play in it. I tightened it as much as possible. i would say I got about half the play out, but there still is some. After installing the new center link and moving it back and forth, there is about 1/4 of an inch play. i do not think I am going to take the steering box out to fix it. It is a 'live with it' item.

I manually aligned the front end. I am 1/4 of an inch off. So i feel i can get to the alignment shop to get it checked out with out any problems. 7:00am cst is the first test drive.

[DanH]

Did you also replace the idler arm on passenger side of the center link?

[JoeS]

.