One thing leads to another.......

[motoman]

For the last couple of weeks I've heard this rattling in the front end. I thought it might be the locking hub that was making the noise. Saturday I decided to pull the front wheels and take a look. This is what I found!!!

Both caliper pins were broke. I am feeling touch by my guardian angels on this one. When I went to pull the other side apart the caliper pins had been pulled into the caliper whole. It was a bitch getting those out. I took the caliper and parts to O'Reilly and they warrantied the pads, calipers, pin, etc. COOL

While I was looking at things I decided it was time to repack the bearings, change out the u-joints in the front axles, turn rotors and finally change out my ball joints.

Jackholeracer and I pressed in the ball joints, and when we went to change out axle ujoints the cups were spinning so we tack welded the cups of the new joints for extra measure.

All painted up before reassembly

Coming together nicely!

Finally all back together and on her wheels. Still need to take it for a test drive. I am glad that I went through the front end before the stampede. I am sure I would have suffered brake or axle issues!

Gonna be 76 degrees tomorrow... Nice day for a Bronco commute! See you all at the stampede.

 

[half cab]

Not doubt that you paid it forward somewhere in the past on this one!!

 

[Jdgephar]

Hi Greg! Nice work, and glad nothing happened with the brakes! I'm curious about how you knew that the u-joint cups were spinning. We're they so loose that you could spin them by hand, or did you have them marked somehow? I also imagine that field repair is a bit harder with the caps tack welded, depending on what tools you have available. Enjoy the nice weather and the stampede!

 

[motoman]

Hi Greg! Nice work, and glad nothing happened with the brakes! I'm curious about how you knew that the u-joint cups were spinning. We're they so loose that you could spin them by hand, or did you have them marked somehow? I also imagine that field repair is a bit harder with the caps tack welded, depending on what tools you have available. Enjoy the nice weather and the stampede!

A couple of months ago I scribed the cups and axles to see if they move. Then the axles got so greasy and dirty I couldn't see my marks. So i was cleaning them and could spin a couple of them. I called Wildhorses and asked them about the axles. They said the axle holes were stretched so they need to be replaced. He suggested that I tack weld them in...... which means NO field repair.... just have to replace them next time around! I got em to last 11 years so far.... if I get a couple more years out of them I will be happy. They are the Wildhorse Extreme Axles (Spicer).

 

[sprdv1]

Yikes... Glad you found it when you did man.

 

[fatboy]

You used up some "good karma" in the old account on that one. Glad you fond it the easy way and did not wait to find it the hard way.

 

[wheelsblank27]

Are those spring retainer cups in backwards? Looks like it in picture

 

[xcntrk]

What the hell was holding that caliper in place if both bolts were sheared? Just the notch in the backing plate?

 

[motoman]

Are those spring retainer cups in backwards? Looks like it in picture

Those are 70_Steve's custom (beefy) coil cups.... pretty sure they only go in one way! ;D We do have leveling shims underneath to straighten the spring....not sure what you are seeing......

What the hell was holding that caliper in place if both bolts were sheared? Just the notch in the backing plate?

OMG Question of the year. I am still a bit freaked. WHY DID THAT CALIPER STAY IN PLACE?

 

[WheelHorse]

So these were O'Rielly caliper pins that failed?

 

[stupidboy]

I can't believe those bolts broke, I've never seen a factory chevy bolt do that! I can't find anywhere in my area to turn rotors anymore, they just say buy new ones cause they would want that much to turn them, as cheap as they are. I like to get mine turned until they are wore out.

 

[motoman]

So these were O'Rielly caliper pins that failed?

They were NAPA 82204 caliper pins. The new pins came with the calipers.

I can't believe those bolts broke, I've never seen a factory chevy bolt do that! I can't find anywhere in my area to turn rotors anymore, they just say buy new ones cause they would want that much to turn them, as cheap as they are. I like to get mine turned until they are wore out.

I was able to turn my rotors at O'reillys. One rotor was too far so had to buy a new one and it was $29.99. I wanted to keep my other ones if possible because they were made in USA.

 

[wheelsblank27]

Huh, I even went and looked at mine..there fat side out and Wasn't bowing out like that...

 

[Thunder Chicken]

motoman ...nice work.......

where did you get your draglink.....track bar and track bar riser?

i like the way that looks....do you like the tro setup?hows the drivability

 

[wheelsblank27]

That 1ton steering does look really tasty

 

[Apogee]

I'd want to know why the pins failed...all of the braking torque should be transferred through caliper body and into the backing plates, not through the pins. If you have lot's of slop in the backing plates, you may want to consider welding them up and remachining them or replacing them so you don't repeat the same failure in the future, at least if that's why they failed.

 

[motoman]

motoman ...nice work.......

where did you get your draglink.....track bar and track bar riser?

i like the way that looks....do you like the tro setup?hows the drivability

I got the tie rod / draglink / track arm from Performance Unlimited.

Original Tie Rod / draglink project

Track Arm project

That 1ton steering does look really tasty

Thank you!

I'd want to know why the pins failed...all of the braking torque should be transferred through caliper body and into the backing plates, not through the pins. If you have lot's of slop in the backing plates, you may want to consider welding them up and remachining them or replacing them so you don't repeat the same failure in the future, at least if that's why they failed.

I looked over everything with a fine tooth comb this time for sure. I am not getting any deflection in the backing plates. Torqued everything to spec. I will be keeping a close eye on them.

 

[xcntrk]

Motoman that tie-rod drag link setup looks great. Have you considered running safety washers with those heim based rod ends? I'd be terrified that one day that ball and socket are going to wear from the extreme loads leading to the ball separating at some point. Without safety washers that whole rod end could come off right over the single sheer bolt! Yikes... But that's just me

[EDIT]
I was checking out the Performance Unlimited bullet proof system you referenced. Super nice product! I noticed their current version of this kit includes a new safety washer as I mentioned above. Looking back at your pics seems they must not have had this item as part of the kit at that time. Might be worth checking out...

 

[motoman]

Motoman that tie-rod drag link setup looks great. Have you considered running safety washers with those heim based rod ends? I'd be terrified that one day that ball and socket are going to wear from the extreme loads leading to the ball separating at some point. Without safety washers that whole rod end could come off right over the single sheer bolt! Yikes... But that's just me

[EDIT]
I was checking out the Performance Unlimited bullet proof system you referenced. Super nice product! I noticed their current version of this kit includes a new safety washer as I mentioned above. Looking back at your pics seems they must not have had this item as part of the kit at that time. Might be worth checking out...

Looks like the lower track arm rod came with one.....

So would I need one on the drivers knuckle, pitman arm? Doesn't look like I need one for the passenger side..... ???? I will take a close look at it when I get home.... Thank you for noticing that!

 

[xcntrk]

I love this steering btw! I think you have me sold on it!

So one note; not sure how you'd run a steering stabilizer with it. Or are the spherical rod ends so tight it's no longer necessary? Any thoughts?