Where do I start with this front end job?

[Jaime313]

Hello Jeepers, on Saturday I will be tackling a major front end replacement. I have purchased the Currie Steering system, JKS Trac Bar, OME steering Stabilizer, Spicer Ball joints, and tomorrow will be driving to Savvy Off road to pick up Front Lower Control Arms. If all goes well my cousin will be in my garage by 10:30 saturday morning to help me as he's done some of these things but not all in the same weekend.

I'm about to give up a few more hundred dollars tomorrow. Should I just buy and install Savvy Front Upper Control Arms too since everything is getting done? This is to fix the wobble and get ready for my 35's. I'm semi mechanical and will have to buy more tools for this project. And hopefully rent/borrow the Ball joint press from AutoZone or O'reilly.
Here's the question, in what order should I start replacing components to maximize time? Thank you

 

[TimboSlice]

Are they adjustable control arms? If so, id ball park those and do final adjustment last. Buy the uppers if you can. Then wrap it up with a alignment. Might be a good idea to drive the jeep with everything installed besides the steering stabilizer, this can mask front end issues. A proper set up front end will not wobble when the steering stabilizer is not installed. Just a thought.

 

[Jaime313]

Are they adjustable control arms? If so, id ball park those and do final adjustment last. Buy the uppers if you can. Then wrap it up with a alignment. Might be a good idea to drive the jeep with everything installed besides the steering stabilizer, this can mask front end issues. A proper set up front end will not wobble when the steering stabilizer is not installed. Just a thought.

Yes, all fully adjustable. Even the front uppers if I decide to pick them up. Thanks for the input TimboSlice!

 

[TimboSlice]

If you are driving to Savvy, ill save you the input now, nobody on here will be able to help you get a exact control arm measurement. Every jeep is different. Tell the guys at savvy what exactly you have and your plans. They should be able to get you a ballpark measurement from hole to hole. Chris has a control arm adjustment thread that will help you with the rest. Id scan through that quick. Remember, you can do your own alignment. There is a thread on that also.

 

[Chris]

I wouldn't bother doing it without replacing all the control arms in the front (upper and lower). I'd then start with the control arms, doing them one at a time. After that I would do the ball joints, then the Currie steering, and finally I'd do the track bar last.

 

[Jaime313]

I wouldn't bother doing it without replacing all the control arms in the front (upper and lower). I'd then start with the control arms, doing them one at a time. After that I would do the ball joints, then the Currie steering, and finally I'd do the track bar last.

You completely answered my question Chris, Thank you very much!

 

[Chris]

You completely answered my question Chris, Thank you very much!

Happy to help!

I forgot to add, once everything is all finished, be sure to align it and set the toe-in, which you can do very easily yourself by following this thread: How to align your Jeep Wrangler TJ

 

[Boinked]

Just my 2 cents. I would do the ball joints first. ONLY because they are going to be the toughest thing to do. I like to tackle the hard things first. While you are doing them soak the hell out of the control arm bolts in your favorite anti rust treatment. Like pb blaster or kroll or wd40.

 

[TimboSlice]

Just my 2 cents. I would do the ball joints first. ONLY because they are going to be the toughest thing to do. I like to tackle the hard things first. While you are doing them soak the hell out of the control arm bolts in your favorite anti rust treatment. Like pb blaster or kroll or wd40.

The seafoam deep creep has taken over as the best. I was always a kroil guy until i researched this. Not to get off topic, just making a recommendation.

 

[TimboSlice]

Are they adjustable control arms? If so, id ball park those and do final adjustment last. Buy the uppers if you can. Then wrap it up with a alignment. Might be a good idea to drive the jeep with everything installed besides the steering stabilizer, this can mask front end issues. A proper set up front end will not wobble when the steering stabilizer is not installed. Just a thought.

I apologize as this comment i made is not clear step by step. I did not hit on what you were looking for as far as input and i apologize. good thing chris picked up on that and pointed you in the right direction.

 

[Jaime313]

Thank you all, Any comments much appreciated to help me get this done!

 

[Jeffcarpenter]

Thank you all, Any comments much appreciated to help me get this done!

Spray the bolts with penetrating oil the night before. Wire brush the threads. And don’t forget the use thread lock

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

Spray the bolts with penetrating oil the night before. Wire brush the threads. And don’t forget the use thread lock

This ain't a bad idea. Considering the work is still two days away spraying them today wouldn't hurt. Luckily he's in California, around here I sprayed everything on my TJ and my CJ back in April and a couple times since then.

 

[zebra12]

I like to tackle the hard things first.

I have interviewed lots of folks for employment. The last question I ask is," You have 2 tasks, one easy and one hard. Time to complete the tasks is fixed regardless of the order completed. Which one would you do first and why?" I don't think there is a right or wrong answer, but I get some creative answers. BTW, I'm a do the hard task first person too.

 

[Jaime313]

Thanks for the tips, I’ll spray tonight and tomorrow night. I bought the LJ in Fresno from a soldiers family and I believe he bought it from the Midwest. His parents were very happy that a Veteran bought it and called him on Video chat so I could meet him while he was overseas. Thanks again for all the advice and tips.