OEM or Bust!

[thindart1990]

I recently rebuilt a ton of components in the front end of my 2004 LX with 325k miles. The only thing I didn’t do OEM are the upper control arms, I went with the SPC performance.

UCAs

LCAs

Inner / Outer tie rod ends - if you get spontaneous make sure to get the boots way ahead of time because they are not readily available.

Axles

Torsion bar mounts and bushings

Calipers

Rotors

Brake lines front and rear

I also did the radiator since mine sprung a leak

Everything I did was DIY. The hardest part of my job was breaking everything loose since after all…it’s a Midwest cruiser with 325k miles. However, the hardest part of the job by far were the LCA bushings.

Ho

Lee

S***

The bushings took me nearly 8 hours alone to get out with an air chisel. Yes…used a torch, bushing press, the whole shebang. They were not coming out. I went through 3 chisels because they were not strong enough.

After getting them removed, I drank 2 beers, wire brushed the inside, put a thin layer of wheel bearing red grease inside, and went back to pressing in new bushings.

Some tools I’d recommend are:

Air hammer with a high CFI and a compressor to back it up and cold steel chisels

Bushing press tool

Large pry bars

Pipe for leverage

Large ball joint separator (I bought a cheap small one, spend the money)

Hot Rod - these things are amazing for seized bolts and take away the flame

Large deep socket sets

Digital torque wrench

6 ton jack stands

Good protective eye wear

Red bull or beer whatever makes you feel better

Mechanics lights

ih8mud forums

Patience

All said and done, I have approx $7,500 (I think) invested (not including some specialty tools I bought for the job) and a lot of money in my swear jar. But the vehicle feels as close to stock as it’s going to get.

I’m tackling the manifolds next, and if you all have any pointers, please let me know!

 

[ThomasGS4]

Think of the money you'll save on barber visits now that you've pulled all of your hair out...

Always love to hear folks fixing these up with all OEM parts. Nicely done. Have any pictures to share?

 

[thindart1990]

Think of the money you'll save on barber visits now that you've pulled all of your hair out...

Always love to hear folks fixing these up with all OEM parts. Nicely done. Have any pictures to share?

lol true story. I never thought I’d be bald. I don’t do a great job documenting, it’s been a year long go as you can type of project. I’ll try to snap some! There will be a bit of surface rust since the CAs, calipers and torsion bar work was done last year!

 

[2000UZJ]

I've never wanted to toss a torch into a vehicle more than my 2006 100 when pressing the frame bushings out for the LCA's. Patch's tool helped a ton, but it was a monster of a job

 

[thindart1990]

I've never wanted to toss a torch into a vehicle more than my 2006 100 when pressing the frame bushings out for the LCA's. Patch's tool helped a ton, but it was a monster of a job

lol it’s a rough job. I wish I would have known about cruisers kit.

 

[Jack90210]

Oof. I guess I'm glad I hired it out. Earlier this year I replaced the entire front end from the steering rack out, all new OEM parts except for the knuckles.

 

[thindart1990]

Oof. I guess I'm glad I hired it out. Earlier this year I replaced the entire front end from the steering rack out, all new OEM parts except for the knuckles.

Yea it’s a rough job. Be glad you did!