Front end rebuild 90 4x4

[my90k5]

I'm looking for suggestions on how to go about rebuilding my front end. This is a DD so it can't be down for more than a couple of day's at a time.

I'm ready to purchase all ball joints, brakes, rotors, shocks and u-joints but not sure where to start. I'm guessing the ball joints are going to be an all day job in itself.

I'd like to clean and repaint as I go as well.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks

[my90k5]

Well I've decidede to start off small, maybe clean the underside using EZOff to remove all of the old grease that's collected over the years. I'm not to concerned about rubber seals; replacing everything.

I'll start with the bushings, springs and swaybar and paint with PAR-15 this should be a good day's work. I'll post some pic's as I go.

[1976K5CHALET]

Ball joints...both sides books out at 8 hours...go borrow the autozone press which will make the job easier. While you have her down that far....change the small seals on the back side of the spindle...if you need brakes now is the time to r/r the rotors if they are out of spec...r/r the drive shaft u-joints...and clean-inspect-repack the bearings...check the caliper pins for gouges...and clean the caliper slide areas and grease.

DW

[my90k5]

Thanks 1976K5CHALET, thats awesome. I never thought about using the books repair time. Ball joints it is then.

[72gmcworker]

Just did my front end ball joints ...and u joints and wheel bearings....figure about 4-5 hrs per side if all goes smoothly.
A press BFH or air hammer helps a lot even a torch

[my90k5]

Cool, I have the BFH and figure I would hit the autozone up for their press. The truck is in pretty decent shape with no rust, so I'm hoping it will be a breeze but planning for any unforeseen incidents that may arise.

I'm still looking over the manual for any special tools I may need for the job. Like I said; this is my DD and need to have it together within a day and a half at the most.

[72gmcworker]

On the top ball joint there is a threaded insert that centres the ball joint into the spindle ...some suggest a special tool for that but a hammer and screw driver will unwind it out....so take note of that ...you will get a new one with the ball joint. When putting it back together tighten the lower ball joint nut, then tighten the insert into the top(it threads into the spindle) and then thread the castle nut onto the top ball joint and torque it down

other than that it is straight forward and no rust Your laughing

[my90k5]

I finally started the front end rebuild last Wen. All went somewhat smoothly other than the bleed screws where striped; took a pair of vise grips and a hammer to break them loose. The hub nut tool is a must have in my book to torque the nut back on.

Someone else was into this before me (go figure) and I found the passenger side bearing nut to be only hand tight and the nut lock washers pin was smashed down pretty good. I have it on there but plan to purchase new nuts and washers very soon.

Got as far as the knuckle, cleaned wire brushed and painted everything up to there using rustoleum primer and engine semi gloss black enamel. Replaced or rebuilt everything up to there. Going to tackle the ball joints next week.

Now that I've been into it and have the proper tools to do the job, it wont be so bad breaking it back down for the ball joints and axle joints.

I purchased new rotors and just cleaned up and painted the old hubs, hammered the studs out and pulled them through the new rotors with an impact and a thick nut (if anyones interested)

[Gemp]

On my old trail/crawler K5...I could be in a out in less than a 2 hours. But that thing was apart monthly. I completely rebuilt my 90 Burb front end including the new lift in about 8 hours when I bought it home. Just like anything the more do the faster you will be.

[my90k5]

Your so right. I feel this wont be the first time I tear it down. As a matter of fact next Wen. it's ball joints and sway bar eye bushings, finish painting the axle then I sould have my lift and shocks in shortly there after.