zeppelindrummer Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 Alright, so after lifting my new pathy, i've needed an alignment bad. I've been crazy busy with work and school, and haven't been able to get around to taking it in until a couple days ago. I brought it in, and they told me my lower ball joints, and center link needs to be replaced (or the center link needs to be bent). when putting on my rough country UCAs i replaced the upper ball joints, and saw that i probably should do the lowers as well, but i didn't really feel like doing it.... bad idea. anyway, mainly my question is about the center link. the guy at the shop said it's bent, and i could have "somebody" bend it back, but i don't really know what that entails. I searched for new center links and they seem to be runnin about 160. What do you guys think i should do? try and bend the old center link back, even though i really don't know what i would be doing? or just drop the bill and a half for the new one, or is there another option? Aftermarket stronger Center links? should i install a steering stabilizer while in there? also, about the lower ball joint. anything i need to look out for? i've messed with the upper UCAs, and pretty much every other steering component a million times, but i've never touched the lowers on either of my pathys. will the torsion bar do anything when i unattach stuff, like the lower BJs, or is there a trick to anything? thanks! -Zepp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 Can you actually see that it's bent? Or are they just refering to how it twists when it's worn out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 TK1 modded centerlink (www.grassroots4x4.com) and the lower BJs are a PITA from what I understand. You have to release the torsion bar (if you remove the LCA) and remove the CV shaft for clearance. While you are there, you may as well replace the LCA bushings, but they are such a pain to deal with some people buy new arms with the bushings installed... B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 You don't have to touch the torsion bars when doing the lower ball joints. Just remove the auto hub and snap ring so you can maneuver the CV around to get the BJ out. It helps to have a second person to lift the wheel hub. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrimGreg Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 Yeah, you don't "have to" ease off the T-bars, but it is much safer to do so. Either way you need a jack under the LCA to help seat the new BJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 Ok, sorry, I thought you had to release the torsion bar. Personally, I still would as that's a lot of pent up force to be dealing with and it will be easier to move the LCA around with out it. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkorahil Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 A few bungee cords are a great thing to have around to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeppelindrummer Posted November 2, 2009 Author Share Posted November 2, 2009 Thanks for the help guys. I'm tacklin this in between classes tomorrow, and i'll be drivin my old pathfinder until it's done. I never realized how truly horrible the brakes and clutch were in the old 87. haha. anyway, i'll hopefully be able to at least finish the ball joints in my 5 hour break luckily the huge snow storm we had has already melted and it only finished snowing two days ago... oh colorado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 Crap!! 75+ and sunny here... Not rubb9ing it in, just pointing out how odd it is. As a sidewalk mechanic myself, I pay close attention to the weather too... Good Luck. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeppelindrummer Posted November 2, 2009 Author Share Posted November 2, 2009 Crap!! 75+ and sunny here... Not rubb9ing it in, just pointing out how odd it is. As a sidewalk mechanic myself, I pay close attention to the weather too... Good Luck. B haha, it was like that the day before the snow hit. Schools and business were closed for two days. we had some fun in the snow yeah B, the sidewalk mechanics work can be quite the problem when the weather likes to play tricks. tomorrow is supposed to be around 50-60, so it's a little chillier than i'd like, but my sidewalk/gutter/street shop is nice and dry for the most part! haha -Zepp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSlowReliable Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 I want your snow Dry here still....leaves are still falling, its horrible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeppelindrummer Posted November 2, 2009 Author Share Posted November 2, 2009 I want your snow Dry here still....leaves are still falling, its horrible. Dang. i missed fall. It was here for like two days. I never even raked once! we did though get a nice hailstorm that trashed my entire block. so... i raked green leaves! ha. heres a picture of that too! pictures really make threads way easier to look at. haha, even if they are incredibly off topic. sorry about that! ha -Zepp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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