Thinking about doing ball joints & SB links

[98SF19]

Cost wasn't bad for either sandblasting or powdercoating, though I go way back with owner of sandblasting shop, so price was less there. I think for both jobs it was less than $175. Considering how long the recent spray painting took, it would have been worth it to have control arms, knuckles, and strut housings PC'd.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ziac8hfiurqw4m5/DSCN8344.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/p2qio3ey2er3i1m/DSCN8794.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vhzqo55jqebulws/DSCN8827.jpg?dl=0

Here's a more recent one that I posted in another thread. Color is much better since I'm using a better camera - my phone! No, I did not match the suspension parts' color well with the intake.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/kgu7a7lv4dw45d8/20160515_151125.jpg?dl=0

 

[gamefanatic]

Well it it pops out with that color. Does it clean up well? Yellow seems like it would get dirty easily...
Noticed a powder coating kit at Harbor Freight a while back. Was tempted, but still need a sacrificial oven to go with the kit...

 

[98SF19]

Yellow does show any oil/grease smudges, but the good thing is that it cleans up well and safely with alcohol. I use the lower concentration, but I'm sure the higher one would be just fine.

 

[98SF19]

So per post #19 above, threading on driver's side spindle may have gotten screwed up during nut removal to the extent that even new nuts won't work though I haven't tried any yet. Since new Gen 3 SHO axles appear to be unobtainium per another users recent posts, I'd like to do all I can to preserve my axles. I was told there is a special nut (chaser?) that cleans out and partially restores threading, but I can't find anything like this on rockauto or anywhere. I'd have to at least be able to get it started on driver's side before this would be of any benefit. FYI, just looked on Rockauto and found half shafts fitting the AX4N, but only for the front right - I need it for front left (of course).

 

[gamefanatic]

Not saying it's a solution, but many machine shops and some hardware shops have access to threading machines. They may be able to re-thread the axles. I may be looking for a new drivers side axle as well as in a recent miss-hap my starter wire fell off and had to get a tow. The towing company messed up and put their hook on my axle instead of the control arm ripping the boot clean off... ** hum... There was a SHO in one of the local junk yard earlier this year, but it's not there anymore. Another option is to look at Gen4's with the AX4N (4F50N) transmission. That technically is the newer version of our SHO's transmission. Thinking they should be similar lengths...

 

[98SF19]

Man that sucks. I hope the tow company does the right thing - there's really no excuse for that.
Thanks for the info. I was in parts store yesterday and they searched for and found a kit with the thread chasers of various metric sizes, about 8 or 10 pieces. Upwards of $140. Nope. That's something a business will pick up, not the everyday joe like me. They also suggested machine shop, and having dealt with one recently for door strips, I think I should probably go that route. I am interested in hearing about others using the Gen4 axles on Gen3 trannies though, and I think the other user (Pablo sho?) would be interested too!

Is there anything special about removing the axles? I remember a video where you had to remove some bushing or sleeve and then lightly tap away from trans. Sound right?

 

[gamefanatic]

Yes. There is a slip ring that keeps the axel in the tranny. So once you have the tire side freed up, you can pry the axle out with a pitman arm or large flat head screw driver between the tranny casing and the fat part of the axel. It sort of pops out, sometimes very difficultly. You may have to replace the slip ring to put it back if it is damaged. Also keep in mind that a little tranny fluid will spill out, so have something to catch it underneath. Going back in it's more difficult so times if the slip ring doesn't line up right as it has to compress to let the axel in all the way.

The tow company offered to repair it, but they were just going to put a new boot on. Which would have worked for the interim, but had to be without the car for several days. So I told them it's okay. Do it myself. No big deal.

 

[98SF19]

I was able to file down the mushroomed part of spindle and get one of the old nuts about 3/4 on before it started locking, so I suspect old nuts are the problem and that new nuts will be the answer (on the way from Rockauto as we speak). In all my research for this, I haven't seen anybody suggest removing the axles to replace the seals on each side since they'd be easily accessible anyway. This was going to be another reason for removing axles in addition to having threading reworked. Since threading appears ok, I'd just as soon leave them alone and avoid putting in any more time/effort (as if the painting were all that necessary! LOL).

Are the axle seals known to leak trans fluid?

 

[gamefanatic]

If you are talking the boot seals, no... If you have attempted to pull it out, they may not be fully seated. Otherwise the compression ring or other components may be worn.

 

[98SF19]

Not the boots, I'm talking about the seals (National P/N 15440014). Today I went back to parts store and paid for the 2 I'd ordered yesterday, partly since I had 2 speed perks at Advance and with a few more items, I was able to use them. Didn't attempt to pull the axles out, though I'm sure the next shop that does a leak test will discover at least minor leaks at 1 or both axle seals - just the way it always seems to work.

Re: mushroomed spindle: I intend on doing a final write-up (even though most gen 3 owners are fairly savvy mechanics at this point), but one thing that needs to be stressed is when pushing the axle out of the knuckle, the dimple on the outter face of spindle is your friend - it is there so that you can use a small phillips head, plumb bob, center punch, etc., set the tip in the spindle dimple, and pop it a few times with a hammer. Knowing this would have saved me the little bit of hassle I went through.

Got control arms back on today and now just waiting for struts to be ready. Then I'll need to figure out the camber plates. Any tips there would be great.

 

[gamefanatic]

If you are having leaks at your axle, just be sure to keep an eye on your transmission fluid level.

 

[98SF19]

Done.



Now to resolve the misfires and rough idle (thanks Gen 3 SHO fan for the info in your thread - I'm focusing on the O2 sensors)

 

[gamefanatic]

Very nice! I especially like the logo matching on the strut tower. Awesome job!

Now just to figure out the steel braided lines to shine it up in there!

 

[98SF19]

steel braided lines

I think I may drop this off my radar, at least for now - too many other more important projects.