front suspension/ ball joints

wb13798 · 10-30-2003, 06:49 PM

when i was installing the fuel pump last week i noticed my front tires were wearing on the inside. took the wennie to the tire shop to get the front end aligned . instead of getting an alignment i received an estimate to repair front end, the lower ball joints are $196 a piece . the estimate was for $975 to repair ball joints and upper shaft and a pitman arm. parts $570 plus $280 labor..
it has been a tired day replaced lower ball joints at $103 apiece and upper shafts $35 apiece. $ 281 and a lot of sweet the front end is completed. still need a pitman arm i really havent look for that part yet. align,ment next week probably $95 that is the going rate for heavy truck and motor homes./

overlander63 · 10-30-2003, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wb13798
still need a pitman arm i really havent look for that part yet. align,ment next week probably $95 that is the going rate for heavy truck and motor homes./ [/b]

A Pitman arm should be an auto parts store part just like your ball joints etc. are supposed to be. Some auto parts stores will rent you the puller for the Pitman arm, it is almost mandatory to get the old one off. Also, the nut holding it on is VERY tight, you will probably need an air impact gun to remove the nut and re-install it. $95.00 is a reasonable price for an alignment on your M/H.
Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.
Terry

PeterH-79MH · 10-31-2003, 07:20 AM

Al,
thumbs up, thats a hard job. I bet you are sore today.

Check the support assembly (2) for the pitman arms. If they have play (up and down) you can adjust them.

wb13798 · 10-31-2003, 06:24 PM

well i didnt get much done today. i looked at the job i did yeaterday and i saw a !/8 inch space on the lower ball joint that didnt press into the lower arm.
well i was called a dummy by mr zone and told to go back and do it right . so i took this beast apart and redneck engineered the press so it would press the joint all the way in . was a bunch easier the second time but took most of the day.
found a pitman arm $23 at advance auto parts.. a tool to remove is avail at auto zone. so that will be first one to do tomorrow.
i will have $322.-- invested in parts that is $35 more than the labor estimate. and $685 _ _ total savings.
but im tired and sore as heck. maybe this thing will make to Belton TEXAS FOR thanksgiving.

PeterH-79MH · 10-31-2003, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wb13798
..... maybe this thing will make to Belton TEXAS FOR thanksgiving.

50 miles from my house. Do you stay at a campground or family? Would enjoy shaking your greasy paws.

wb13798 · 11-01-2003, 06:48 PM

well finally got the black grease off . i still need to replace the pitman arm but that will wait untill next week..
sure on the eye ball. will pm you when we depart for texas.
it appears i have a bad water pump i see a antifreeze spot on the drive way. another day shot in the back side. im going to go camping/hunting tomorrow . im going to go with the radiator cap loose and take it slow. it will make it untill i return only 60 miles.

wb13798 · 11-05-2003, 10:18 PM

finally got the last part replaced on the suspension. was looking for a pitman arm as shown on peters part layout. could not find one, but did find what the parts house said was the pitman arm .
later today i finally found my way to Bill Heard Chevrolet. and we had a discussion about the part i needed. the part labeled on peters post is "not" a pitman arm it is "steer relay connecting rod arm". GM part number 14013037. the price for this donkey will make you cry if you can find one.

shelocta · 11-05-2003, 10:43 PM

Look at this site https://www.rockauto.com/applet.html for a "steer relay connecting rod arm". Has anyone dealt with these folks. I hope they are as good as there web site. It is a great source for part info.
Bill

wb13798 · 11-06-2003, 08:17 PM

tryed the site no luck finding the part.
thnx al

shelocta · 11-06-2003, 08:54 PM

Is this the critter you are looking for? Bill

overlander63 · 11-06-2003, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shelocta
Is this the critter you are looking for? Bill

Bill, if I read that right, it looks like it fits everything except his motor home...
Terry

Astrodokk · 11-07-2003, 08:38 AM

I was told when ordering a part at Mr. Goodwrench, that I should tell them it's for a P-32 chasis...that let's 'em know it's for a motorhome.

wb13798 · 11-07-2003, 08:44 AM

that is the pitman arm .and i dont fit a motor home. it has a ball joint on the end and the pitman arm for a motor home is a solid cast part with two holes. the part i was looking for isnt the pitman arm. advance auto parts has the pitman arm you show for $23. look for GM part number 14013037. i have the parts break out but not the pn index . next time i go near the chev place i plan to get a print out and post it . was in the frustrated mode when i finnally got to the chevrolet parts dept.
thnx al

wb13798 · 11-07-2003, 08:57 AM

that is correct (p-32) if you dont you will get the wrong part or no part. p-30 works for some parts at auto zone and those places but know what your are looking for . or have the old part to compare. autozone has a selection for motor home under the p-30 van screens. you will see a lot of not avail. gets a bit frustrating trying to find a part some times.
just did the ball joints and change some other items . ball joints from autozone ,suspension bars from napa, and the last part from GM. new bralk line hose from napa.
strange mix but the parts were only available from the source i used. the other parts houses had na or it was not the correct item.