Suspension thread

[Irving]

As some of you may have seen in the off-road thread, I'm going to be replacing a lot of my suspension components in the very near future on my 1999 Isuzu Amigo. I'm going to start this thread in case I need help with something, as I don't want to clutter other threads.
I may end up taking pictures as a how-to, but not sure.

I've ordered the parts for the following, and will likely run into other things to fix since this is an old truck that I doubt was maintained regularly. I've owned it for five years now, but only 25,000 miles.
All four shocks
Rear springs
Front HD torsion bars
All new front ball joints
Low profile bump stops
Rear brake line extension bracket
Rear diff fluid and gasket
CV boots for front


My first questions is about the rear diff. I've never changed the fluid in a diff before and I can't imagine it is much different than an oil change. Do I need to drive the truck a bit to warm up the fluid so it drains better or anything? It's a Dana 44 with an LSD, so I had to make sure to buy the gear oil with the LSD additive. Other than that, it sounds like drain, pull cover, change gasket, fill. Anything else I need to look out for?

[KS63]

Sounds like you know what to do already. I can say that you should wear nitrile gloves or something to keep the nasty, stinky lube off your skin.

[Irving]

Copy that. I've heard people not want to use synthetic in diffs with LSD out of fear that it'll be "too slippery" for the clutches. Anyone have an opinion on that?

[gnihcraes]

might get a can of brake cleaner to wash out the diff before you re-fill. Get out the nasty sludgy stuff.

[Irving]

Had the same tip in a text a minute ago. Good idea since I'm positive is gunked up. It feels like it doesn't want to coast very well last time I drove it.

[newracer]

When you put the cover back on let it sit for a while so the RTV has time to cure some before adding the oil.


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[Irving]

I have a gasket, and the manual calls for RTV on the gasket. I assume if I have a gasket, use a much thinner bead of RTV? Thanks for the tip on waiting, I probably wouldn't.

[gnihcraes]

I have a gasket, and the manual calls for RTV on the gasket. I assume if I have a gasket, use a much thinner bead of RTV? Thanks for the tip on waiting, I probably wouldn't.

yep, it won't take much rvt. pretty thin coat - smooth it out thin and wide with something.

[Spdu4ia]

Nothing like the smell of burnt gear oil.

[jmg8550]

I have a gasket, and the manual calls for RTV on the gasket. I assume if I have a gasket, use a much thinner bead of RTV? Thanks for the tip on waiting, I probably wouldn't.

I use either a gasket, or RTV. ran into problems using both. Learned the hard way doing a water pump on a Camry. Had to do the whole timing belt and WP again because it leaked. Never had issues since. The absolute best RTV is Permatex "Right Stuff". You can get it at NAPA.

OP, any particular reason you're replacing springs? also, I'd fill the differentials with synthetic fluid, it lubricates and handles heat much better than conventional.