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So, started the "build". Completed the passenger side yesterday. The free spin kit from El Tate is very nice, with pretty good instructions. I was able to figure it out without much issue, and I'm not even to shade tree mechanic classification. I wish the instructions had pictures of the SRW set-up, versus the DRW. That said, the only issues we have had so far were getting the ball joints out. That was a royal PIA! The axle u-joints sucked, but there shouldn't be any more struggle with that since we purchased a shop press. I'll try to remember to take some pictures today. I know, I know, if there are no pics, it didn't happen! LOL! I just don't think about that while I'm elbow deep in grease, break dust, and grime typically. More of a focus on getting the job finished.
hopefully you have your NCO assisting you......
You know the rules1. Pics or it didn't happen2. Broken or ill fitting parts = Bonus points3. Injuries sustained can go either way sympathy/harassment ;-)
Quote from: Nate on April 13, 2020, 02:23:51 PMhopefully you have your NCO assisting you...... Nate, I do! I'm doing all this at the home of a guy I work with. He's a retired NCO (Bradley Master Gunner) who works as a contractor in my directorate at Benning. As a geo-bachelor, I needed a place to do the work, and he volunteered. Jon has been helping me figure things out when I am questioning myself, but I'm doing the majority of the work. We got the last spindle/hub installed last night. This afternoon we'll get the free spin guts installed in that hub, then reinstall rotor/caliper, and tie rods/drag link. When that is complete, it should drive like it is new, and hopefully I won't have to mess with this for another 300k miles.
Here are pics of the finished product.
I installed the free-spin internals, and got the hub buttoned up. Then, the rotor and brake went back on. After that, we beat out the old steering linkage as a single piece so we could take measurements. Assembled all new linkage (we the exception of the tie rod adjuster, which NAPA didn't have in stock) on the ground, then hung it as a single piece. Our measurements must have been pretty good, as it tracks straight as an arrow. The steering wheel is a little cocked, but it'll get fixed when I take it in for an alignment tomorrow. (Pic is a little dark, but if you look hard enough you'll see the shiny)
You didn’t do the Mopar upgrade for all the steering parts
lookin' good there Sean, nice work!
Dodge upgraded the steering in 2009 it’s a bolt in kit for the earlier trucks a lot less work and much beefier. I have never needed the brace either and dodge also went with a larger output shaft on the later boxes and I think that cured the box problem.
You have 330K on that truck!Looks pretty clean/unbeaten/stock/good for that many miles
https://www.ebay.com/itm/03-12-Ram-2500-3500-STEERING-LINKAGE-PITMAN-ARM-DRAG-LINK-DAMPER-UPGRADE-MOPAR/201233604354This is what I was talking about, you can also get it without the pitman arm and stabilizer for about half the price