Alaska BS thread

Anyone replaced their cv joints and or lower ball joints?

 

For those gun owner out there, I've been toying with the idea of getting a handgun for bear protection while fishing and backpacking, but also want something that I can enjoy shooting at a range. Any recommendation? I want it to be reliable and something that can withstand the elements. Was thinking of a revolver in the .44 range but those are definitely not fun to shoot haha. So that brought me to the idea of a 10mm glock. I've shot those and enjoyed it, but does it have enough bang to take down a bear if needed?

 

Depends on the bear hahaha there's been maulings where it's taken multiple shots to the head from large caliber handguns to stop an attack. So even the biggest gun is still questionable in a full on attack

 

Well obviously it'd be last resort. I still carry pepper spray which I'd use first if needed. Then use a gun if necessary. I'd be shooting for fun more than using it as bear protection.

 

Yes. Not fun.

The lower BJs take quite a bit of pressure to get out and back in. More than likely that means pulling off the LCAs and that means the whole mess with your highly likely seized LCA bushings (which will need to be cut out at your adjustment bolts and everything replaced). You might be able to swing pressing off and on the BJs on vehicle and it will be a serious PITA.

Doing CVs is pretty easy with a slide hammer. Probably 2-3 hours.

I am flying back home to Anchorage first week of June and I have a brand new set of Moog lower BJs sitting on my fridge. They are yours if you want them. I decided against doing my ball joints because of what a PITA they are, now I don't need them.

 

I've been researching most of today, I have 2 torn boots that I unfortunately don't know how long they've been torn, so the axles I'm just going to replace. I got a quote from the dealer on the axles which there's no way in hell I'm paying $700 for each side, so I'll do it myself. They recommended the balljoints as well, but I don't know if that's there upsell method or if I in fact should replace them

 

CVs are cake, just a bunch of easy disassembly, I did mine on the taco. If you arent in a rush I can help when I get there

Real decision is buying OEM vs aftermarkets with lifetime replacement, there has been heated discussion. I bought aftermarket...

As far as BJs you can jack up your truck put a crow bar under the tire and check for play in the BJ and while its up wiggle the top and bottom of the tire and check for play. How many miles do you have? BJs are tough joints but definitely not something you want to skip if you need them.

 

Like ghost said, the CVs are pretty easy. I had to replace the seal to my front diff. I didn't use a slide hammer to pull it. Was a little bit of a pain in the ass but it worked. Putting it back in, we didn't realize there was a "key" or whatever you want to call it. (there is a round clip that when the CV is held one way sits in a grove so it is flush and when held 180 different hangs out) Once we realized that, it went in much easier when we had it aligned right.

 

I ran a cv with a blown outer boot for at least 6 months and it twas totally fine. When I replaced it I went with a new one from NAPA. If you go there get the new ones and not remanned because only the new ones have a lifetime warranty. I think it was about $100 with the student discount for me.

Replacing them is fairly easy with the right tools. Like ghost and anna said, probably a couple hours per side.

 

I used a tack board puller to get my CVs off. GF was insistent on letting her go rent a slide hammer and she came back with one but didnt get any of the attachments for it lol so we went the hard way.
Absolutely right. Doing it again usually takes so much less time

 

Im Raymond BTW

 

Hey Raymond. I think I already knew that but I wasn't positive enough to call you by name haha

 

Well now you know for sure lol

 

Cant wait to see some forests and ocean

 

Hi Raymond!

Yeah I tried to rent a slide hammer from one of the auto shops.... did not have the right attachment so we did it the hard way

 

Glad I wasnt the only one lol

 

Tack board puller wasnt the first thing i tried either lol

 

I think I'd feel safer and save a bit of trouble and just replace the axle instead of repacking the boot with a kit.

I have 51k on the truck, it's been lifted for probably 48k miles.

I found this write-up for the BJs, doesn't seem TOO bad. But I'll see how much play I actually have before replacing. So I may take you up on those ones you have.

Thanks for the help everyone. I wasn't worried so much about doing the work myself, I've just never done this type of repair before so needed some input before diving into it. Plus all my tools are back home in Colorado

 

Boyd has those great write ups on both BJs and bushings. 50k miles seems really low to need BJs, I had 125k realllllllly hard miles on my Taco before I felt like I needed them, biggest indicator of BJs going out is hearing popping when turning

 

Ship creek was the biggest shocker to me when I came back for a visit this year. Definitely changed