I thought this would be a nice thread to write the little things we’ve done that may not justify their own threads. Seeing as the other mass thread is really a build thread and little changes don’t really equate to builds.
First I changed my air filter today, it was well overdue, when I dropped the old one on the ground it covered the ground in dirt and dust! Didn’t realize it had gotten that bad.
Be sure when installing that you get the filter fully engaged there are two tabs at the bottom of the box that you have to push the filter in until it is fully engaged behind those tabs. I suggest applying a very light coat of 100% silicon to the filter seal around the bottom two rounds - this will help the filter engage into place without significant frustration.
Second I changed my steering stabilizer today with a new OE stabilizer. I used a pitman separator, any separator should work but I would suggest the shorter of the ones. I found the best way to separate the stabilizer from the link bar was to push the pitman separator between the sway bar and the frame, took probably 5 minutes to find the best position for the pickle fork and do a little beating and it was off. Much easier than expected. The hardest part was reengaging the frame end of the stabilizer back into the mount - have a nice deep gash in my knuckle from that.
Honestly I didn’t have high expectations for this change as the new one only felt modestly tighter than my 172k mile old stabilizer - I was wrong it’s definitely much smoother and has significantly less bump steer - good change.
Finally, I changed out my sway bar end links, they’re only about 40-50k miles old but I believe my wreck caused one of them to split. Easy change and I can definitely feel a difference which is surprising seeing as the old ones really weren’t that old. Don’t go by torque specs on these as they are ridiculously high and you will end up splitting the rubber, get them good and tight until you feel good about them.
Also bought a new pitman arm for when I replace my steering box. Unfortunately I have insurance on 4 vehicles coming up this month, and taxes on the two most expensive this month as well - so I’m holding off on the box for a little longer. Frankly it still feels good, if it weren’t for the popping noise I wouldn’t change it.
First I changed my air filter today, it was well overdue, when I dropped the old one on the ground it covered the ground in dirt and dust! Didn’t realize it had gotten that bad.
Be sure when installing that you get the filter fully engaged there are two tabs at the bottom of the box that you have to push the filter in until it is fully engaged behind those tabs. I suggest applying a very light coat of 100% silicon to the filter seal around the bottom two rounds - this will help the filter engage into place without significant frustration.
Second I changed my steering stabilizer today with a new OE stabilizer. I used a pitman separator, any separator should work but I would suggest the shorter of the ones. I found the best way to separate the stabilizer from the link bar was to push the pitman separator between the sway bar and the frame, took probably 5 minutes to find the best position for the pickle fork and do a little beating and it was off. Much easier than expected. The hardest part was reengaging the frame end of the stabilizer back into the mount - have a nice deep gash in my knuckle from that.
Honestly I didn’t have high expectations for this change as the new one only felt modestly tighter than my 172k mile old stabilizer - I was wrong it’s definitely much smoother and has significantly less bump steer - good change.
Finally, I changed out my sway bar end links, they’re only about 40-50k miles old but I believe my wreck caused one of them to split. Easy change and I can definitely feel a difference which is surprising seeing as the old ones really weren’t that old. Don’t go by torque specs on these as they are ridiculously high and you will end up splitting the rubber, get them good and tight until you feel good about them.
Also bought a new pitman arm for when I replace my steering box. Unfortunately I have insurance on 4 vehicles coming up this month, and taxes on the two most expensive this month as well - so I’m holding off on the box for a little longer. Frankly it still feels good, if it weren’t for the popping noise I wouldn’t change it.
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