That's the one. All my sockets are cheap, so I guess I can do that. :P
CK5
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bp71k5
3/4 ton status
I think I got one from local auto parts store as well if you wanted another single use tool.
I'll see if I can find it. I have more than one but can't seem to keep em around.
Btw I think those are gonna be the cleanest axles I have ever worked on.
Don't fret it. I think @bent72 idea will work fine. I'll cut up a socket this weekend.
That's the plan! Working on clean stuff is so much more enjoyable than dirty. Crawling around under the truck I'm finding all the places that got a coating of transmission fluid and it's really bugging me. Trying hard not to let my OCD take over and end up with a mountain of paper towels and windex trying to clean everything up.
I got the front axle cleaned up, painted, and ready for gears.
While I had the front end apart, I figured it was time to replace all the bushings on my front springs. They were pretty bad.
Turns out, I had practically non-existent rubber bushings in the frame, and pretty much destroyed poly bushings in the springs. The shackles were also bend a bit. Upgrading to ORD greasable bushings so it should be a LOT better. The worn out bushings probably had something to do with my pulling issue as well.
While I had the front end apart, I figured it was time to replace all the bushings on my front springs. They were pretty bad.
Turns out, I had practically non-existent rubber bushings in the frame, and pretty much destroyed poly bushings in the springs. The shackles were also bend a bit. Upgrading to ORD greasable bushings so it should be a LOT better. The worn out bushings probably had something to do with my pulling issue as well.
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yes they are a bit worn out
Only just a little worn... 
Broke in nicely.
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knocked out another repair today.
cut out the damaged portion of the exhaust (from blazer bash) and welded in a new piece.
I moved some of the exhaust hangers as well to better positions, so hopefully everything stays put this time and no more bent pipes.
cut out the damaged portion of the exhaust (from blazer bash) and welded in a new piece.
I moved some of the exhaust hangers as well to better positions, so hopefully everything stays put this time and no more bent pipes.
on the rock
Brilliant
I doubt it was at Blazer Bash. Nothing that wild goes on there.
Trying to remember. It was on the first day.
I think in the same canyon where I got the rear quarter panel damage. I think my rear-most mount came free and let the exhaust hang too low, then when I backed up, it caught on something and wrapped around the axle.
We pulled it back out and I was able to get it up solid again that night back at camp.
I remember that, and yes it was the first night!
I did as suggested and made my own tool. The instructions said to torque the lower ball joint to 70 ftlbs, then torque the castle bushing to the same. I couldn't get my tool to hold well enough to torque it so I got it as close as I could, then did the top nut. After I was done everything seemed a lot tighter than it should, so I knuckled down and bought the right tool.
Got everything torqued correctly and everything turns much more easily. Glad I did it right.
(although I wish my tool making skills would have been better so I could have saved $30 )
I look at any tool purchase as an investment. Not like they're going waste away and disappear. Who doesn't want to be the old guy that has all the cool and handy tools.
As long as your neighbors don't know that.
