Replacing a bundle of parts up front,

[mkoch]

My 1984 GL 4wd is approaching 200,000 miles, and I plan to replace the front axles, struts, bearings, and calipers.  

 

Did I miss anything?  While that area is dis-assembled, I would like to do the easy fixes now, so they don't have to be done later. 

 

 

[jonas]

Ball joints, tie rod ends. Sounds like you got the rest covered. Shouldn't need to replace calipers unless seriously frozen/damaged. Just clean them up, fresh caliper grease, and you should be good to go. The caliper piston screws in if you're replacing pads, incase you didn't know.

Edited January 17, 2015 by jonas

[two85s]

In my experience replacing axles can be a dissapointment.  If your axles are subaru/ original KEEP them and rebuild them or have them rebuilt.  The aftermarket axles are hit or miss and I regret sending my "old" original axles in as cores.  I should have rebuilt mine.  If the axles in your car function and are NOT clicking-clunking etc and the rubber boots are not torn then leave them as they are would be my suggestion; If only the rubber boots are torn, then clean-regrease and reboot them.  You can find a lot about this in the USMB.  Sounds like a great plan for your wagon.  All the best, Aaron 

[djellum]

id ad sway bar bushings, and the strut mounts with the top bearings are a separate part if you want to replace that as well.  I wouldn't replace axles or calipers if they are functioning correctly, but I might look at new rotors.

 

im a pretty firm believer in not replacing parts cause they are old, only replace them if they are broken or worn.  Id inspect everything down there, but only replace the parts that are at the end or close to the end of their lifecycle.  if you do take everything apart and are replacing stuff, take the time and effort to get new cone and spring washers for the outer axle nut, and inspect the hubs carefully since they are a problem area.