With the help of Rob and DNP, I am back on the road with the front knuckles redone, new brake pads, new tie rod ends. Also, had to bleed the brakes, since you have to disconnect the brake lines on my vehicle to do this job.
It was a long, dirty job and, in retrospect, it was tough deal for a newb like me. I learned a lot, though, including my present tech ceiling and limitations.
Even though I measured, counted threads and turns, etc.., I still ended up doing a hack job on the tie rod ends. And.... in my haste to put tires back on and finish the job, I got careless on the easiest part and somehow "pinched" the dust cover cylinders that go around the locking hub. In addition to earning me a Darwin award for least evolved human, it also gave me a nice wobble. I death wobbled into the alignment shop close to my house and got the kinks worked out professionally and so I am buttoned up in proper form now. It feels good and tight, so now I am going to get the diff fluid topped off since it is no longer leaking into my knuckles.
At least I have a funny story for the next meeting, and I don't mind laughing at myself (even publicly on the interwebs).
I'm not in the mood to turn a wrench again any time soon, but I'll tackle something a little more in my comfort zone until I earn my first banana.
Carry on and thanks again for the help and tips.
