rebuilding front end on 2wd...

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Yoox_II

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It's time for me to rebuild the front end of my d150. It wanders on the road like crazy, it clunks and rattles like crazy when I hit even small bumps, and the steering is very loose.
I don't think there is a front end "rebuild kit" for these trucks (correct me if I'm wrong), so I will be buying the parts individually, hopefully from one store or website. I have upgraded the steering shaft to the borgensen, also replaced the springs and shocks, but other than that, the whole front end is pretty much shot. Could you guys help me create a list so that when I order my parts, it will be in one lump sum?
So far, I know I will need...
Upper and lower ball joints
Any and all steering related bushings
Pitman arm
*should I replace control arms, or just the bushings?*
Please add any front end parts that typically wears out on these trucks.
I have brand new tires and I can just feel them wearing down as I drive, especially since the truck pulls to the left quite badly. Any other tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciated
PS: when dry steering to the right, it makes a metallic whining sound... unsure what is causing this.
 

u2slow

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I look for the items I can prove are worn out, and only buy those. I may discover more worn parts when installing, so I'll buy those parts after.

The control arms should be fine unless they are badly rusted and/or cracked.

In two different D250s, I haven't needed to change more than a few parts in each of their front ends to get road manners back again. I did buy a set of coils, shocks, rotors, and pads. IIRC, I changed an idler arm, a balljoint or two, an upper control arm bushing, and welded a cracked control arm. One truck still has a worn out center link, but I'm putting up with that for now.
 
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Yoox_II

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Okay, thank you for the advice. What would be causing the truck to pull to the left so much? Worn idler arm?
Edit: I would like to rebuild the whole front end, to eliminate the chance of parts wearing out a couple months later and needing to constantly "analyze" the feel of the steering and suspension. I'd rather have peace of mind knowing my whole front end is new
 
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u2slow

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When braking? Driving at speed? Maybe you have a sticking caliper?

Its all just guess work till you get underneath and look. Have somebody else turn the steering wheel back and forth while you watch. Also jack it up and wiggle/rock the tires and look for slop. Cycle the steering lock to lock. Take the wheels off and check everything again for a better look. Sometimes a prybar in the right places will reveal movement that the loaded coil spring is hiding.

I never have the time or $$$ to do everything at once.
 
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Yoox_II

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Okay, thank you for the advice. What would be causing the truck to pull to the left so much? Worn idler arm?
Edit: I would like to rebuild the whole front end, to eliminate the chance of parts wearing out a couple months later and needing to constantly "analyze" the feel of the steering and suspension. I'd rather have peace of mind knowing my whole front end is new

When braking? Driving at speed? Maybe you have a sticking caliper?

Its all just guess work till you get underneath and look. Have somebody else turn the steering wheel back and forth while you watch. Also jack it up and wiggle/rock the tires and look for slop. Cycle the steering lock to lock. Take the wheels off and check everything again for a better look. Sometimes a prybar in the right places will reveal movement that the loaded coil spring is hiding.

I never have the time or $$$ to do everything at once.

It pulls left whether I'm braking or not. At highway speeds, or in a parking lot going slow, and any speed in between. The wheel is also stiffer when steering right than it is steering left. It feels as if the steering wheel always wants to spin left
 

crazzywolfie

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rockauto will most likely be the cheapest place to order everything from in 1 shot. just make sure to watch shipping to try getting everything shipped from 1 location. also you may want to try tracking down your issues first to make sure you get them solved. have you taken your truck to an alignment shop since replacing the springs? your alignment being off could cause a pull. i know my 93 has a slight toe out after replacing the control arm bushings and it has pulled right ever since.
 
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