Trackbar Relocation - Issue with very first step

[SROC3]

That's where I disagree. Quite often I think I know how to do something, then watch a 5th tutorial and realize I missed a step that is so well-known to mechanics that it's not even outlined on "how-to" videos. "Don't know what you don't know" can be very costly working on these expensive cars. I didn't mind as much on my old F150.

I second this - I recently had some suspension work done and opted to use a guy who specializes in welding and custom suspension fabrication - out of his garage. He did my shock install and alignment all in his garage (he had a mobile alignment tool). Extremely SPOT-ON work. I pointed straight and the alignment balance was amazing. He even did a better job than 2 other alignment shops I went to. BUT - he does specialize in Toyotas primarily. My rig would start making noises when my drivers side would "unweight".....going in and around strip-mall parking lots. Yikes. Took it to a shop, that had lifts, and they just did a once over to torque all the bolts down - problem solved. Noises vanished. Apparently, according to guy at shop, my cam bolts were not torqued down 210 ft-lbs. I remember the guy using an impact wrench on all my bolts.....and the reality is that as good as he was - if ya don't have a lift to properly position yourself under the vehicle, it is hard to get the right leverage for a TQ wrench.

I have a TQ wrench myself and slid under my Bronco one time to TQ my RCI armor plates.....and that's only 28ft-lb.....I could see why a lift makes such a big difference. So to what @BUCKIN6VA says - in this situation it was also about having the right "bigger" tool (the lift) to help you get the job properly done. Not just the know-how of "working on Broncos and knowing TQ specs. So, now when I need ANY torquing done - I just pop into the shop every 3 to 4 rides and get the bolts tightened

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[Brian_B]

That's where I disagree. Quite often I think I know how to do something, then watch a 5th tutorial and realize I missed a step that is so well-known to mechanics that it's not even outlined on "how-to" videos. "Don't know what you don't know" can be very costly working on these expensive cars. I didn't mind as much on my old F150.

You then fix that, learn from it, and are better off for it

I mean, I get someone who just doesn’t have the interest or the ability (handicapped or just getting up there). But don’t let fear keep you from doing it

 

[V1Rotate]

You then fix that, learn from it, and are better off for it

I mean, I get someone who just doesn’t have the interest or the ability (handicapped or just getting up there). But don’t let fear keep you from doing it

Working on stuff is a major part of the fun in ownership for me.. knowledge and confidence only comes from experience over the years. Paid plenty of "learning tax" along the way. I love a good excuse to by a new tool! Some of my fondest memories growing up are helping my dad work on every POS he insisted on owning learned a few new words during that time

 

[orion]

Working on stuff is a major part of the fun in ownership for me.. knowledge and confidence only comes from experience over the years. Paid plenty of "learning tax" along the way. I love a good excuse to by a new tool! Some of my fondest memories growing up are helping my dad work on every POS he insisted on owning learned a few new words during that time

Same!

My first time changing out an IWE (Integrated Wheel End) on my wife's Expedition I saw a small nut behind the cap. Surely that isn't the axle nut, it's too small. Pulled the 4 bolts on the back side started prying and I heard a crack. It was the vacuum housing breaking because the axle was coming with the IWE. I pulled the small nut and the IWE slipped right off but now I had to go back to the parts store and get the vacuum housing.

Might not have done it right the first time, but it got done right in the end and I learned something. Plus it was still way cheaper than having someone else do it...

 

[Brian_B]

I’d never done a rear end until I let Orion talk me into it. Nothing more than a set of brakes once.

I didn’t save any money doing it, and redoing it, and redoing it again - but I learned a hell of a lot. And now I know that rear end inside and out. And I got a lot of neat new tools.

It’s half the fun for me too. I swear and bitch the entire time too. I have no one to blame when things go wrong and I try my best to make sure I do it right. And there’s a lot of pride that comes from getting it back together and seeing it run. And go over rocks. And breaking something new doesn’t sting quite so bad when you realize it’s just another excuse to do another upgrade.

 

[orion]

I’d never done a rear end until I let Orion talk me into it. Nothing more than a set of brakes once.

I didn’t save any money doing it, and redoing it, and redoing it again - but I learned a hell of a lot. And now I know that rear end inside and out. And I got a lot of neat new tools.

It’s half the fun for me too. I swear and bitch the entire time too. I have no one to blame when things go wrong and I try my best to make sure I do it right. And there’s a lot of pride that comes from getting it back together and seeing it run. And go over rocks. And breaking something new doesn’t sting quite so bad when you realize it’s just another excuse to do another upgrade.

I still feel bad about that.

 

[BUCKIN6VA]

I’d never done a rear end until I let Orion talk me into it.

This could have gone in many directions.

 

[Oldhippie]

Well after working on all kinds of equipment, managing shops, training mechanics and building my own vehicles, at near 80 now I am about over it…I will gladly farm my stuff out these days…but I still carry around more tools than I will ever need and hope never to need any of them…

 

[Fordified1]

Well after working on all kinds of equipment, managing shops, training mechanics and building my own vehicles, at near 80 now I am about over it…I will gladly farm my stuff out these days…but I still carry around more tools than I will ever need and hope never to need any of them…

The best way to not need a tool is to have it with you. That is a fact.

 

[SROC3]

....Finding a solution you are comfortable with is the best path. This way you won't need to buy a tool you don't know how to use, make a mistake and feel like a tool......and hey in the end you will likely be the sharpest tool in the shed! .......Wasting time is like tooling around th-e........Ok...Ok....I'll stop..

 

[B22-2023]

Also don’t buy parts you don’t need (self). Bought the relocation bracket before getting under and really measuring. My alignment shop has already fixed the angle problem, using the adjusters on the bar etc. I’d forgotten. Rock Jocks was very gracious in taking the package back unopened, no problem.

stacks of extra parts bought over the years, thanks forum, “I might need this”. A. bunch wind up on resale or gifted to Bronco friends.

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