Front End Refresh

[donjetman]

07 Yukon Denali
12/21/23
MILEAGE– 192,400
Started tear down to replace:
All 4 control arms w/ball joints, bushings, hardware
CV axles
Bearinghubs and bolts (3)
Innerand outer steering tie rods w/boots
Caster& camber adjusting kits
Rack& pinion bushings and mount
Rotors
calipersw/brackets
brakehoses
pads

 

[OR VietVet]

I did a complete one too when I did it. Handles and steers so smoothly. Super jealous of what looks like a lift.

 

[donjetman]

07 Denali w/193k miles.
Current tires are 5+ yrs old and 63K+ miles. The ball joits now have a little play in them. This is causing greater tread wear on the inside of these ole tires.
It needs a new set of tires, so I'm fixing the front end first.

@OR VietVet , I've been following the FJCruiser forum thread you've been doing I've had an 07 FJ since 2009. 227k miles, no issue(s) ever. Knock on wood.

 

[OR VietVet]

07 Denali w/193k miles.
Current tires are 5+ yrs old and 63K+ miles. The ball joits now have a little play in them. This is causing greater tread wear on the inside of these ole tires.
It needs a new set of tires, so I'm fixing the front end first.

@OR VietVet , I've been following the FJCruiser forum thread you've been doing I've had an 07 FJ since 2009. 227k miles, no issue(s) ever. Knock on wood.

I actually worked on the same FJ Cruiser today. I put new outside mirrors on it. The old ones had been Plasti Dipped and it looked like crap. Very easy to do. Took 1 hour to do both sides.

I followed an auction on B.A.T. today for a yellow 2007 FJ with a 6 speed manual. Went for $18,750 and had 106k miles on it. Was in Nevada. The biggest problem, IMO, was that it was a flat towed vehicle.

That FJ at the FJ Forum was a friend of mine's from the AL. It was a large labor job. But the owner could not be happier. It runs way better and has more power and he is a happy camper. But, it was a very involved and tedious repair but fixed better than new.

 

[donjetman]

Super jealous of what looks like a lift.

Yes, the lift (8 yrs ago) in a new climate controlled shop at home (TX) was a game changer for me. No excuses anymore, except I'm no spring chicken.

 

[OR VietVet]

I would kill for a lift. I live with my girl in a rental and the landlord lives on same block. He has 6 houses on the block and he has one huge garage area where he stores his boat and puts on special events and I kid him about putting in a lift all the time. I doubt that the floor is set up for it anyway.

 

[petethepug]

I’m right behind you on the front end refresh. Just shy of 180k miles on untouched original, z95. It’s a comical bounce house.

It would of been done last year but something about a new 6L80 trans and $6.5 in other assorted parts sprung up.

 

[donjetman]

Got the passenger side put together.

 

[donjetman]

Got the other side put together today.
Tomorrow = Bleed brakes, install sway bar and links, check/set camber and toe, and drive it.

 

[donjetman]

I've been driving it for a couple of days now and everything is good.

Ole front brake pads were near minimum meat left. Upper ball joints were a little loose. Tires are at minimum tread 4/32s after 5+yrs and 63+k miles, and showing more wear on the inner tread.

I set the camber at +.5*degree, and toe 1/16th" in.

 

[Grady_Wilson]

Yes, the lift (8 yrs ago) in a new climate controlled shop at home (TX) was a game changer for me. No excuses anymore, except I'm no spring chicken.

I will be moving soon and I plan on getting a decent lift in my garage/shop when I move.
I've always wanted one and working on cars using jacks and jack stands doesn't cut it anymore when you're north of 50.

 

[OR VietVet]

I will be moving soon and I plan on getting a decent lift in my garage/shop when I move.
I've always wanted one and working on cars using jacks and jack stands doesn't cut it anymore when you're north of 50.

Try doing it when you are north of 70, like me.

 

[donjetman]

God willing and the creek don't rise me too.

 

[OR VietVet]

I got a scare the other day under my Tahoe. I had it backed up on ramps. Had the front tires blocked with wheel chocks, both of them. I was searching for a noise from the t-case to the back with my girl in the driver's seat power braking it. Not constant but periodic accel and then let off. I had worked my way back under the rear axle with the pumpkin just above my chest. She did a power brake and my G80 worked and both ramps kicked back and both rear tires had gotten to the apex at the top of ramp where it flattens out. If the ramps would have kicked out further and the wheels/tires went down the ramps, I could have had a caved in chest or maybe worse. In hind sight, doing that power braking on the ramps was not smart and if I did, the ramps should have been turned around. Then the tires would have had to jump the tall lip at the top of ramp.

My girl freaked out. She was telling me that she will not allow me to go under a vehicle again. I talked her down but she is not happy. I may have to invest in a set of those lifts that take them up, about 3 feet, and lock in place.

 

[Marky Dissod]

I got a scare the other day under my Tahoe. I had it backed up on ramps.
Had the front tires blocked with wheel chocks, both of them.
I was searching for a noise from the t-case to the back with my girl in the driver's seat power braking it.
Not constant but periodic accel and then let off.
I had worked my way back under the rear axle with the pumpkin just above my chest.
She did a power brake and my G80 worked and both ramps kicked back and both rear tires had gotten to the apex at the top of ramp where it flattens out.

If the ramps would have kicked out further and the wheels/tires went down the ramps, I could have had a caved in chest or maybe worse.
In hind sight, doing that power braking on the ramps was not smart and if I did, the ramps should have been turned around. Then the tires would have had to jump the tall lip at the top of ramp.

My girl freaked out. She was telling me that she will not allow me to go under a vehicle again.
I talked her down but she is not happy.
I may have to invest in a set of those lifts that take them up, about 3 feet, and lock in place.

Congratulations on not getting hurt. Go hold her close and make her happy.

 

[swathdiver]

Where's the balancer bolt?

Mine will turn 196K today or did earlier today. Drove it 382 miles yesterday and it rides so smooth. Once the new parts settle in she'll feel great on the open road.

 

[donjetman]

Stock balancer bolt and tools are here, but other projects moved to the top of the list for now.
When I get back to workin on the Yukon, I'll install the pulley, new VLOM and gasket, and oil pressure sender.
In the meantime, we're useing it and its driving great. Got to get some new wheeels and tires on it soon. The chrome on the wheels is falling off.

 

[Grady_Wilson]

Try doing it when you are north of 70, like me.

As it is, I'm only 13 years away from 70 and if I do a major job like a complete front end rebuild, I need a day of rest to recover.
Once I'm retired I hope my energy level actually increases but I'm not betting on it.

And, thank you for your service, Sir.
I never served but veterans like you are one of the reasons I continue to volunteer for Young Marines even though I no longer have a kid in the program.

 

[petethepug]

This means wisdom is setting in. In my teens and 20’s I’d laugh at getting under a car until … the little neighborhood kid came over and started pumping the 1/2 ton jack while I was under the car.

He said he wanted to lower it to scare me!!!!!! Anything is possible. Plan for the fail and expect it. I’m glad this was just a scare and someone decided it wasn’t your time. Sorry, with the year rolling to an end you Sir are the luckiest person on the forum in 2023

I got a scare the other day under my Tahoe.

 

[donjetman]

Pilots = Prepare for the worst, Hope for the best.