4x4 IFS rebuild, opinions needed, THANKS

[scurfman]

First off, Thanks for helping me out. This is a great website. Here is my new question. I have a 98' 4x4 ranger with the off road package. My truck is nearing 100,000 miles and I have had 32" BFG mud terrains on for about 50,000 miles. I know that I need lower ball joints but if I am going to have some work done I would like to replace all the standard wear parts. I have a few creaks but don't really know what should be replaced. I was thinking lower ball joints, tie-rod ends, and shocks, but don't know much about bushings or anything. It seems that the tires may be starting to lean in a little at the top but I don't really know what causes that. So if someone could please let me know what they would replace that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Guys!!!

 

[metalmacguyver]

the tire leaning thing is caused by bad ball joints and a little bit by sagging springs. its mostly a matter of replacing stuff that is worn. tie rod ends, wheel bearings, control arm bushings, shocks, anything thats worn out should be replaced. you could do all of them now or you could wait till they show that they need replacing. the catch is that they might need replacing in 1000 miles or some of those parts might last another 50K miles. you never know.

 

[scurfman]

thanks

I appreciate the response. I should be able to do the wheel bearings myself but I don,t think I will try ball joints. Thanks again

 

[metalmacguyver]

ball joints are pretty easy, you just need a removal/installer tool. that or a press. i consider them easier than wheel bearings. well maybe not yours since they are a sealed unit but they are easier from a technical point of view than wheel bearings that need the preload set on them and that you need to be anal about cleanliness and packing them with grease and everything.

 

[Edgefevah]

I know this is a really old thread, but....

I just bought a 2002 ranger Edge from a fella and he sold it to me cheap cause he didnt want to fix it. So what happened is he hit a curb with the passenger side tire and since then the wheel is cambered in quite a bit. My first thought is to check the ball joints, if they are good check the tie rod ends.

What would you guys do? I just dont want to be replacing parts i dont need too.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

I would first be making sure that the knuckle isn't bent at all.

 

[adsm08]

I would start by checking the knuckle and then the arms.

Knuckle check is easy, just check clearance to the tire, if it is bent it will be closer to the tire at the top.

If the arms and the knuckle are straight the upper probably got knocked out of place a bit.

 

[Edgefevah]

the nut that holds the lower ball joint in place is definitely closer to the rim on the side that is damaged. As far as the knuckle, what are you referring to when you say that? I could venture to guess, but ill save myself the grief.

 

[adsm08]

The knuckle is the object that spans the space between the ball joints. The tie rod and the wheel bearing both bolt to it.

It is also frequently, and incorrectly, referred to as a "spindle".

 

[Edgefevah]

So I ended up switching the knuckle and getting a new steering rack as the one on the truck was destroyed. wheels look pretty close to in spec, still a bit of camber but nothing a wheel alignment wont fix or just toying around with the torsion bars.

thanks for all the advice fellas.