Argh!!

[nate379]

Don't you hate it when something that seems easy is a huge PITA?

I bought another truck last weekend, pulled it in the garage today to put a 1.5" leveling kit.

I should have stopped when it took me 45 mins to get the first tire off! I used to work in a tire shop and NEVER have had a wheel stuck like that before.

Then I had to torch off the shock, which I didn't plan on replacing. There was no way in hell it was coming off.

I figured it would take me 3-4 hrs for both sides, well 10hrs later I have one side done and the wheel off on the other side.

 

[babzog]

It always works out that way for me too. "Oh, that'll just take a couple of hours." Two weekends later...

 

[SouthCoastMudder]

Must not have been using Snap-On... J/K

Seems like the same thing happens to me when I am working on the suspension on my truck, although it doesn't rust on there is always something that doesn't fit or I didn't buy and end up having to fab something up or even make my own tools.

I still won't pay someone to do it if I have the remote possibility of being able to do it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Leveling kit ? F150? I just bought a used set.

 

[Mickey O]

Better it happen in your own garage than on the side of the road miles from nowhere.

 

[nate379]

Ram 3500. I have no use for light duty 1/2 ton trucks.

Leveling kit ? F150? I just bought a used set.

 

[38Chevy454]

It helps to soak the various fasteners in penetrating oil for several days before starting. especially on stuff exposed to the elements like suspension.

Sounds like you have a truck that may have been neglected and no regular tire changes or rotations.

 

[nehog]

Ram 3500. I have no use for light duty 1/2 ton trucks.

I read your first post, and said to myself "Dodge 2500/3500 I bet..."

Then you come back and confirm my guess! WTF is it with those wheels? On my truck, I have had to beat 'em off with a sledge hammer, no way were I to get a flat that I could change the wheel on the highway unless I always carried a BFH!

 

[bgott]

Hubcentric wheels. The wheel is centered by the hub rather than the lug nuts, that is why they have so little clearance. I have had good luck with PB Blaster, but I don't live in salted roads country.

 

[Hank McMauser]

makes me glad I moved from the rust belt (n ohio) to the high desert in Idaho
I'm currently driving an 11 yr old chevy tahoe with the original exhaust & other than a few scratches/dings it looks brand new.

 

[hetkind]

I had trouble with stuck wheels on trucks before,...a little antisieze on the inside of the wheels helps when you put them back together. Road salt seems to be an issue

Howard

 

[nate379]

I put antisieze for sure. Found the 2 upper ball joints are smoked too. Awesome... "only" $230 each.

It needs 2 front tires and an alignment, so pretty much need to put the ball joints.

Now the darn front shocks I just bought are too short. I could barely bolt them on with the truck sitting on the ground!... so it has maybe 3/4" of droop!

I did some cross referencing and I think a shock for an 02-05 4x4 Ram 1500 will work though. The bottom mount is 9/16" so I'll have to drill mine out (1/2") but that's not a big deal. Not spending $70 a shock for high end stuff on this truck.

 

[Ray-CA]

My brother-in-law pulled his F-250 in his garage to put a lift kit on. When he tried to back the tuck out, he was too tall. Luckily for him he just had to let the air of the tires to gain the clearance he needed.

Ray

 

[nate379]

Got some ball joints for $35 each, just need to cut the old ones out of the arms.

 

[hetkind]

that reminds me...I need a tank of Oxygen for the torch...

A torch really helps on suspension work

I had a heck of a time getting the front wheels off my 07 Ram 1500 last summer for a brake job, backs haven't been off in well over a year. I know, I will just stop down the tire place for a "wheel balance". It should be $35 well spent. My technique is to loosen the lugs then drive slowly around tight corners until I hear the pop.

Too much salt (or is it not enough salt) on the roads here in the mountains.

Howard

Howard

 

[nate379]

Well 3 days later the truck is all done... for now.

It started out needed new front tires. Well the alignment adjuster were maxed out and the front tires were sitting like / \. Springs have sagged quite a bit over the years.

So $40 for a spring spacer, lifts it 1.5"... no big deal right??

Had to cut the shocks off, rusted in place to bad that there was no chance in hell of unbolting them.... $50 for shocks

Then I realize that the upper ball joints are smoked. $70

New shocks are too short... after researching, I find that the shocks for an 02-5 Ram 1500 4wd are a good length, other than bottom mount is 9/16" where mine is 1/2"

Trade the shocks out, drill out bottom mount and that's fixed.

Trans seal was leaking, looked to be factory oil too, so got 4 quarts of Amsoil MTL and a new seal... $83 Fought with the 60ft long driveshaft, but got the seal replaced and new oil in it. Old stuff was black as old engine oil and only had ~2 qts (trans holds just under 4)

Go for an alignment this morning and idler arm and pitman are are wasted. $260

Then an alignment... Was supposed to be $85, but it took longer than expected so it cost $185. Pissed me off because they quote $85, but pretty much that is a toe adjustment and that's it. If there is anything really out of whack it's $185.

Oh, and I slide the fuel plate forward, put a 3k gov spring kit in ($100) and set the timing to 15.5* ($165 for the timing set)

All for 2 tires.... $300 ... yeah...

 

[Bfoughty]

But Nate.......Just look at the fun you had wrenching on the truck!!! J/k

 

[sledzz]

Could be worse, I spent some great nights wrenching on my 2001 RAM getting ready for a snowmobile trip to Wyoming. Changed the whole front end, hub bearings, front axle seals, tune up, and MORE.... then between Cheyenne and Laramie and the engine blows up towing my sleds.. $3000.00 dollars for the engine and and the labor... AAGGGGHHH
They did get it fixed and delivered up the mountain in time to come home, BUT while sledding I buried the track on a super steep climb and rolled it trying to get it back down.
So don't feel to bad !