Suspension Overhaul

[99Qx4GroundUp]

Hey Hey

So I have gotten just about everything needed replaced/fixed engine wise, all solo,and also... all trial and error

Now I am on to my suspension, I've done some research on the threads here it all has helped me get a game plan on paper.

Let's begin with some history of the suspension life.

When I got the Q she came with the death wobble, and an alignment issue. The tires are wearing on the inside prematurely, I've gotten a decent amount of mileage out of them considering the amount of time I was focused on the engine. I know the vehicle was involved in an front end collision just by looking at the bumper damage (not caved in, just the two outermost parts are damaged). I can visibly see two bent creases in the control arm (passenger) that aren't in the other. There are two metal bars that connect from the frame to the bumper, the driver side one is twisted and bent all out of shape but still secured. What is that metal bar called? The passenger side Inner tie rod needs replacement (it wiggles around by hand). From my understanding the boots are reused when changing them, but being that both boots are TOAST I'm going to have to order new ones. My front struts also need replacement, along with all of the coils. The CV axles are also bootless so instead of going through the headache of boot replacement, I'm just popping new ones in there.

I am ordering the AC 2" heavy duty coils from 4x4parts.com and getting the shocks myself since I manage an AutoZone (20% off ) I wanted to see if anyone had any input as to things to look out for and things that will save me time on the installation. I've never replaced coils before but its something I want to add to my "automotive resume".

Gameplan:

Replace CV axles
Replace Passenger Control Arm
Replace Pass/Driver Ball Joints
Replace Tie Rod End Boots (pass/driver)
Replace Rotors
Install Manual Warn Hubs (maybe? need advice)**
Replace Front Struts*
Replace Strut Mounts
Install AC Coils(2'' of lift)
Install Coil Spacers(1"of lift?)**
Extend Brake Lines
Camber Alignment Kit*****
Weld on Limiting Straps
Remove Rear Sway Bar**
Add Wheel Spacers (1.5")
Put 33'' M/T or AT2 tires on with 16" black steel rims
Try Not To Kill Myself In The Process.**********************************

What are some thoughts/concerns you guys may have on these things being done myself?
(the things starred ** are things I don't know much about)

Thanks as always guys!

Javin

[99Qx4GroundUp]

P.S.

I want to try make a visual How-To on this for everyone on here so pointers would be awesome.

[botched_lobotomy]

Just going to chime in that I'm looking to overhaul my front suspension, too, and have been casually researching struts. I want better than OEM restoration, which is all KYB Excel-G promises. I haven't found a ton of helpful stuff, so I'm hoping a new thread will yield some juicy advice.

I also just rebuilt (except for shocks and springs) my rear suspension on my '01 Q -- replaced all the OEM bushings with poly PSB ones. Fixed the death wobble right quick. Well, if you call a day-and-a-half "quick".

[jtechdion]

sounds like one hellava overhaul! I just purchased a 2000 QX4 and it has this awful clunk noise in the back when I hit a bump and if there is any weight in the back. I know the struts were done with the recall; have you had any rear end noise?

Looking forward to seeing some pictures and your progress.

Good luck

[Wwaterman]

Hey 99Qx4, I'm in the process of installing 4x4parts.com poly bushings in all of my control/trailing arms. Do you know, on the front control arms, can I just unbolt the inside bushings and use a bushing tool to push out the old bushings, without detaching the ball joints? This seems like it would be the easiest way to go about it. I'm not sure if it's possible.

[Wwaterman]

Actually, now that I'm looking at the 3 bolts that connect the control arm to the lower ball joint, can I just undue these and then unbolt the two bushing areas and take the control arm off, just like that?

[botched_lobotomy]

Not a direct answer to your question, but I wasn't able to do that when I did the bushings in my rear arms. I rented a bearing tool, and ended up using it to push the sleeve out of the rubber. I was then able to put a hacksaw blade through, and *carefully* saw through the shell. Then I waled on it with a hammer and punch. The corrosion was so bad that I had to actually peel the shells along the cut to get them loose enough to remove. I took a propane torch to a couple of ends to get the shells out.

Once the shells were out, it took a total of 10 minutes to get all the new bushings in!

I, too, am curious about how the front goes -- I'll be doing that soon enough...

[Wwaterman]

I think it's the tie rod that's directly above the lower ball joint bolts. Getting to the bolts doesn't look too bad. They're in a triangular pattern right below the tie rod... It looks to me like removing the front control arms are pretty straight forward. My friend and I did the rear with ACdelco rubber. TOTAL GARBAGE. Didn't do anything to fix the wobble.

[Wwaterman]

It's the CV joint above it, not the tie rod.

[botched_lobotomy]

Yeah, I wasn't f'n around with my wobble -- had to take the thing on a 4-hour drive to Moab the following weekend. My buddy, who's a total gear-head, took one look at the poly bushings and said, "Yeah, those are ... stout."

[Hawairish]

Actually, now that I'm looking at the 3 bolts that connect the control arm to the lower ball joint, can I just undue these and then unbolt the two bushing areas and take the control arm off, just like that?

Yes.

For the same reason WWaterman described, you will probably not have any luck using a bushing or press tool on the front bushing of the control arm. You will likely need to destroy the bushing in the same manner. The rear bushing, though, is a bit easier.

[Wwaterman]

Botched_labotomy, I love me some Moab. I live in Northern Arizona. Hawairish, thanks!