Hey yall, bad news, my truck failed state inspection today.




So thats what my mechanic gave me. I trust him, but its disappointing. For a total of 961.03 before employee discount. So here is where I need your help.

#1. How do I replace the tie rod ends? I plan on doing inner and outer.

#2. Leaf spring bushings- my Dad says they were easy to do on his old jeep, but how about on these obs fords?

#3. Are the brake cables something I can do on my own?

Thanks for all your help, it means a lot.

 

Tie rod ends and brake cables will probably be the easiest on your list. The leaf spring bushings are going to suck. Good luck getting a core support.

Get everything new for the tie rod ends and put them together while comparing their length to the old ones and it will get you close to the alignment.

Red

 

Whats a core support? What doI have to do to replace the bushings? Do I have to pull the springs?

 

The core support is the radiator support. You are going to have to pull the springs off. You might be better off getting new or better used springs.

Red

 

When it says rear wheel cylinders, it means the things that push out in the rear brakes, correct?

 

Yes. They're probably about $8 a piece.

Red

 

I work for a salvage yard and sadly, we have no obs fords. If one came in I would grab them in a heart beat. We do have a super duty, but I doubt the springs will work. Is it really that bad replacing the bushings?

 

I normally use my torch to burn the bushing out and then i can sort of knock all of the goo out of them then press in new bushings.

Doing it on the truck is a ROYAL PITA. Buy new bolts before you start.

 

Can I just use a c clamp for a press? Which bolts do I need new? The ones that hold the shackles or the u bolt?

 

You're going to need a big C-clamp, but that should work. I'm sure you could also rent the balljoint press from your local parts store and use that to press them in.

You're going to need the bolts that go through the eye of the leafspring. Normally they don't like coming out and it's easier to cut them.

As for U-bolts, they're designed to be torqued to spec once and that's it. You're not supposed to re-use them. Some people do, some people will tell you that you're going to kill a schoolbus full of nuns if you reuse them.

 

Floor rotten how is that on inspection what state ? Being a full frame floor should not be an issue

 

Colllision,

Can you post some photos of your shackle bushings, core support and floor?

Red

 

Its not rotted, I want to talk to the guy about it. I live in the grand old state of Pennsylvania. However, I will admit the Cab corner is rotted. And Red, im getting the truck back Monday, Ill take pictures then.

 

I've used a drill bit to take the rubber leaf spring bushings out before. I think I got that idea from FTE. You just take a 3/8" drill bit attached to a heavy duty drill and put it in the rubber and it will "walk" around the rubber so the center will come out. Then you take a chisel and split the metal insert and take that out. You will probably break a couple drill bits in the process.

Where in PA do you live?

Red

 

I live near Limerick. I was thinking I could use the air hammer (basically and air chisle) and work my way around the rubber. I would push the rubber halfway through then push the metal through. Do I have to drop the leaf spring or can I do this on the truck?