Replace the entire control arms... save yourself a ton of labor!
New bushings and ball-joints already done for you.
Buy them online

I have done my entire set both sides, uppers and lowers.
You'll need a ball-joint separator (pickle fork) and BFH

Wow.. looks like your "former" mechanic sure knows how to RAPE a customer!
Run.. never look back

 

Mmusicman, I've seen your posts in other threads and greatly appreciate your advice!

Will look into a pickle fork(universal size?) but luckily have a few BFHs handy😂

I reckon it makes sense to do all front end stuff in one go: Sway bar, Idler Arms, tie rods, probably something I'm forgetting, any other specialty tools needed for these?

Many thanks!

 

As Mmusicman stated....replace complete control arm assemblies. It is on ly a few $$ more and way less work and frustration.

Many of the tasks on your list are not difficult. It dies take some patience and careful attention to how things fit together. A phone camera can be a wonderful tool. Take lots of pictures for reference when putting things back together. Better too many pictures than not enough.

Many of the special tools can be borrowed from local parts houses.
Pullers, picklefork, pressure gauges, even some special wrenches.
Check out O'Reilly, Autozone, and others.
Where are you located in the PNW?

Rod J
Issaquah, WA

 

As Mmusicman stated....replace complete control arm assemblies. It is on ly a few $$ more and way less work and frustration.

Many of the tasks on your list are not difficult. It dies take some patience and careful attention to how things fit together. A phone camera can be a wonderful tool. Take lots of pictures for reference when putting things back together. Better too many pictures than not enough.

Many of the special tools can be borrowed from local parts houses.
Pullers, picklefork, pressure gauges, even some special wrenches.
Check out O'Reilly, Autozone, and others.
Where are you located in the PNW?

Rod J
Issaquah, WA

Rod thanks for your reply and info. I will definitely be taking too many photos!
I am in Portland OR for the time being, loving exploring the mountains out this way.

WOW, control arm bushings for 2 grand a set? Rear shocks for $850? They must be damn good shocks and bushings.
I'd do them all day long for that price.
Seems like your mechanic is a little on the expensive side.
Control arm bushings are not bad, but they still suck. As stated, just replace the entire control arm.
Nice thing is they come complete and ready to bolt in as MM said.

Big question is, How long are you planning on keeping this van?
If you're like the rest of us, a very long time.
If that is the case, start replacing the important stuff first, suspension, brake components etc.
Then work your way through the lesser items of importance.
Oil and filter, trans fluid and filter (skip the flush), differential oil change.
You can do these anytime, unless driving daily, then make these a priority.
At 150K, that bad boy got a long way to go.

Nothing bad towards your mechanic, but you may want to verify that all of these parts actually NEED to be replaced.
Suggestive selling seems to be rampant lately and some of those parts may not actually be on your critical list, if on your list at all.

New to me 5 years ago, I've put ~80k on this odometer criss-crossing the country and want to put at least 80k more!

It is also my daily driver for now, so will consider the fluids higher priority. Thanks for the input!

 

GM does not recommend flushing the transmission just drop the pan clean it out then replace the filter. make sure you get the seal out from the old filter as they tend to get stuck up in the hole. Rock auto has most of the parts you listed. The trans mount is easy lift the trans with a jack and a piece of wood between the trans pan and the jack. diffy service is also easy get a drain pan remove the bolts to the cover with the pan under it then use a screw driver to pry the cover off. clean out remaining oil with your hand then clean both the cover and the rear end gasket serfices add new gasket or use RTV put it back together . on the front of the assembly there is a square hole that fits a rachet remove this plug to fill.

 

WOW, control arm bushings for 2 grand a set? Rear shocks for $850? They must be damn good shocks and bushings.
I'd do them all day long for that price.
Seems like your mechanic is a little on the expensive side.
Control arm bushings are not bad, but they still suck. As stated, just replace the entire control arm.
Nice thing is they come complete and ready to bolt in as MM said.

Big question is, How long are you planning on keeping this van?
If you're like the rest of us, a very long time.
If that is the case, start replacing the important stuff first, suspension, brake components etc.
Then work your way through the lesser items of importance.
Oil and filter, trans fluid and filter (skip the flush), differential oil change.
You can do these anytime, unless driving daily, then make these a priority.
At 150K, that bad boy got a long way to go.

Nothing bad towards your mechanic, but you may want to verify that all of these parts actually NEED to be replaced.
Suggestive selling seems to be rampant lately and some of those parts may not actually be on your critical list, if on your list at all.

 

I don't recommend RTV for differential covers (or any covers).
Removal later will be a major pain in the ***.
Differential gaskets are cheap (about $6 or so).
Clean flat surface is vital.
Always put them on dry (as instructed).. I've never had one leak in decades.

 

Agreed. RTV sucks and eventually leaks.
Have not used that in many many years.
Come to think of it, don't remember the last time I used that stuff.

CopperCoat works great great if you DO need a sealant.
Same with Permatex AGS and VHT sealants.
Have found all work extremely well, when and where you may need them.

 

I have been using CopperCoat for decades.
Sparingly spray it on "certain gaskets" if desired (depending on surface)..
Head gaskets for certain (last time I only did the block side.. gaskets were coated)

 

Much gratitude for everyone's input!

Browsing RockAuto for complete Control Arm replacements now. (Mevotech's greasable model for $30 more than economy makes sense to me unless someone feels strongly it's unnecessary?)

Obviously pricier than I was expecting for bushings so I may try to parse out the upgrades planned but is there any job "has to" be done same time? In mind now are front shocks, sway bar(possibly just bushings), tie end rods or idler arms? Unless there something more pressing to tackle first?
Pics for those interested.

Ftr, estimates came not from my mechanic (I've yet to find someone I trust out here) just a shop with a "free inspection" included in their oil change price. I knew from that tail light estimate they were gougers and never considered letting them work on my rig. I have previously, and will again, change my own oil but I was in a bind, w/o tools, and so went to a shop based off Google😂

 

Finding it for around 70k miles 5 years ago was a good find.
When I did all my suspension components, I purchase one kit and didn't have to buy each component separately, but that was many years ago.

 

Thanks! I got pretty lucky with this van I know. Best vehicle purchase I've made thus far.

I'm looking at kits too but many seem to include extraneous components, like ball joints that I think are already a part of the control arms themselves. I will continue browsing though. Anyone recommend for/against partsgeek.com or carparts.com?

 

I put RTV only because some use it often, I only use it to hold gaskets in place as needed .