Front end rebuild order of operation

Morning all,

I'm sure this can be filed under the it doesn't really matter column but was curious what people thought. I'm replacing both control arms, coil-overs and the cv axles on the front of my 05 v8 Lim.

What order would you replace items or do the job? Even if it doesn't make any difference just curious to hear how some would tackle it.

TIA

 

Which control arms are being replaced? I'm assuming the lowers?

Why are you replacing the CV axles? If it's just because of torn boots on the OEM CVs, keep those OEM ones and reboot them. They are far better than any aftermarket replacements that are available from parts stores and almost never actually bad when people replace them. Rebooting is not that difficult.

There's really only one order that you can do this job and that is determined by how all the parts come apart in the suspension. You have to remove the front shocks, since you are replacing those, before you can remove the LCAs anyhow. With those out of the way, you can pull the CVs before removing and replacing the LCAs. Then reinstall the CVs and then the front shocks.

After your are done, you will require a new alignment too.

 

@xtremewlr is correct. I've re-booted many CV axles and they aren't bad as long as you are organized. His order for replacement works best as well, if you are doing it all at once. If you're doing one thing at a time, then it doesn't really matter.

I guess I would do the CV's as they are most time consuming first. But the LCA's depending where you live and how much rust you have can be a nightmare. Seized cam bolts can make you very unhappy for several days. In that instance all I see recommended is carbide sawmill blades and lots of patience.

 

Top UCAs first. Cheap tie rod end separator will do tie rods and ball joints and upper is easy first. Then you can leave spindle attached to upper, strap it up so it doesn't fall and break your skid wires. Then you loosen top strut nuts but leave attached. Disconnect sway bar links, first, then you can pull axle while one of your ball joints is disconnected If you're replacing LCAs, take lower strut cross bolt out, control arm bolts and they're off. I would rebuild the Toyota axles if they are still good. Better than Chinese or Mexican made. You can actually get rebuild axles from factory direct parts for not much more than aftermarket pieces. I apologize I wasn't really clear and concise. Usually you can take CV nut off, turn wheel sharp as you can and take axle out without taking anything else off yet.

 

I'm the 3rd owner of this vehicle and the axles were replaced with aftermarket at the 100k mark and it has 223k on it now.

 

Completed the job.

Doing it on my back made popping the axles out a real pain, almost didn't think I wasn't going to get the leverage to knock them out, not enough room to use a prybar. Then of course they didn't want to just pop back in. I made sure to use the trick with grease on the clip but didn't matter, still was a bitch to get them in. Control arms were the easiest part, although replacing the driver side upper was a pain since taking out the battery appeared to be the only way to slide the bolt all the way out. Removing the rear nut on the strut was also a huge PIA given the position and lack of room to wrench.

 

Yup, that all sounds about right. But you feel good knowing you did it yourself I bet.

 

You can get rebuilt axles from Toyota parts direct for not much more than aftermarket.