Coil Spring Insulators replacement? (Rough Ride)
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Coil Spring Insulators replacement? (Rough Ride)
Okay, So I have a really good Alignment, great tires and fairly new shocks, and fairly new coil springs, but I have noticed my truck still rides pretty rough and really wants to grab and pull on bumps that normally shouldnt cause that.
So I got to looking a little closer at my front suspension. the Truck still has the original rubber coil spring insulators and they are really really wore out. Would replacing all the front rubber bushings in the front suspension help? I guess some new coil spring insulators will help as well right? as far as the insulators go, the only ones I can find are poly instead of the original rubber, are the poly's any good? should this help my ride quality and stop the grabbing and pulling?
any help will be greatly appreciated
thanks,
Josh
So I got to looking a little closer at my front suspension. the Truck still has the original rubber coil spring insulators and they are really really wore out. Would replacing all the front rubber bushings in the front suspension help? I guess some new coil spring insulators will help as well right? as far as the insulators go, the only ones I can find are poly instead of the original rubber, are the poly's any good? should this help my ride quality and stop the grabbing and pulling?
any help will be greatly appreciated
thanks,
Josh
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
The spring insulators are there just to keep the springs from squeaking and groaning as they move in the pocket.
Does it grab and pull when you hit the brakes? If so, and the alignment shop said your frontend is in good shape, then I would suspect the brakes.
That goes also for the bushings in the suspension. A good alignment shop will inspect the frontend before they align it. If they align it with worn bushings and other suspension parts, they are just wasting your money.
Does it grab and pull when you hit the brakes? If so, and the alignment shop said your frontend is in good shape, then I would suspect the brakes.
That goes also for the bushings in the suspension. A good alignment shop will inspect the frontend before they align it. If they align it with worn bushings and other suspension parts, they are just wasting your money.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,936
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From: Acworth, GA
I replaced all of my bushings with the polyurethane ones this summer. While I was in there, I replaced the coil spring isolators with new rubber ones from LMC as well. The job was not nearly as difficult as I had previously thought. Now the truck drives better than it did when it was new. Well worth the effort.
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Junior User
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The spring insulators are there just to keep the springs from squeaking and groaning as they move in the pocket.
Does it grab and pull when you hit the brakes? If so, and the alignment shop said your frontend is in good shape, then I would suspect the brakes.
That goes also for the bushings in the suspension. A good alignment shop will inspect the frontend before they align it. If they align it with worn bushings and other suspension parts, they are just wasting your money.
Does it grab and pull when you hit the brakes? If so, and the alignment shop said your frontend is in good shape, then I would suspect the brakes.
That goes also for the bushings in the suspension. A good alignment shop will inspect the frontend before they align it. If they align it with worn bushings and other suspension parts, they are just wasting your money.
The brakes are fine, it grabs and pulls when go over bumps and etc, I know bumps generally can do this, but it just seems worse than any other car or truck I drive. Thats the reason I'm thinking suspension related and I know its not the brakes.
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
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I replaced all of my bushings with the polyurethane ones this summer. While I was in there, I replaced the coil spring isolators with new rubber ones from LMC as well. The job was not nearly as difficult as I had previously thought. Now the truck drives better than it did when it was new. Well worth the effort.
Sounds like I may end up doing this as well if for anything a good peace of mind. How long did it take you?
any other suggestions on what it could be before I go tearing into it??
thanks again,
Josh
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 9
From: Acworth, GA
If you do a search here, you can find a lot of info on this subject. Here are a few;
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...and-donts.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/2...-bushings.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...placement.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...radus-arm.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...oval-tool.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-bushings.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...-bushings.html
I used a come-a-long to pull my radius arms out and put them back. I also fabbed up a similar bushing removal tool to the one shown in here. As far as how long it took, I really didn't work on it non-stop, as my truck is not my daily driver. All together, probably a long weekend (if you have all of the parts). I also want to say that I did not have any help when I did this. I also have some pictures here;
My 1985 Ford F150 4x2 pictures by Grubbworm_photos - Photobucket
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...placement.html
Good luck.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...and-donts.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/2...-bushings.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...placement.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...radus-arm.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...oval-tool.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-bushings.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...-bushings.html
I used a come-a-long to pull my radius arms out and put them back. I also fabbed up a similar bushing removal tool to the one shown in here. As far as how long it took, I really didn't work on it non-stop, as my truck is not my daily driver. All together, probably a long weekend (if you have all of the parts). I also want to say that I did not have any help when I did this. I also have some pictures here;
My 1985 Ford F150 4x2 pictures by Grubbworm_photos - Photobucket
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...placement.html
Good luck.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 901
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
Unless coil spring insulators are trashed I can't see the reason they need to be replaced. But someone please chime in if I'm wrong.
I plan on tackling the axle pivot and radius arm bushings this weekend or next. I'm going to try to do them at the same time and hopefully not need to remove the radius arm bracket!
I plan on tackling the axle pivot and radius arm bushings this weekend or next. I'm going to try to do them at the same time and hopefully not need to remove the radius arm bracket!
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 9
From: Acworth, GA
Personally, I would replace them just because of their age. Rubber that is exposed to the elements does have a tendency to wear out over time. And, since you are going to be in there with most everything already apart, it just wouldn't hurt to do them. Besides, they aren't that expensive.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 9
From: Acworth, GA
Unless coil spring insulators are trashed I can't see the reason they need to be replaced. But someone please chime in if I'm wrong.
I plan on tackling the axle pivot and radius arm bushings this weekend or next. I'm going to try to do them at the same time and hopefully not need to remove the radius arm bracket!
I plan on tackling the axle pivot and radius arm bushings this weekend or next. I'm going to try to do them at the same time and hopefully not need to remove the radius arm bracket!
Smash, take plenty of pictures and let us know how it goes.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 725
Likes: 2
is the Op's truck lifted? if so what you probably done is thrown the steering geometry out and has caused bump steer.
if not check tie rod ends and make sure they are tight and greased, excess play in them will cause bump steer.
what is the load rating on your tires? higher load ratings will cause a rough ride.
stiff springs and stiff shocks will cause a rough ride also...more so when they are new.
if not check tie rod ends and make sure they are tight and greased, excess play in them will cause bump steer.
what is the load rating on your tires? higher load ratings will cause a rough ride.
stiff springs and stiff shocks will cause a rough ride also...more so when they are new.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 26
From: NJ
Welcome to IFS. Bes tsuggestion I cna make is put a Dana 44 under the truck. I consider it a waste to spend time and money on an IFS, especially a D44 IFS.
That aside, check tie rods, ball joints, and wheel bearings. Replace and necessary. Also check axle pivot bushings and radius arm bushings, replace as necessary. Doesn't hurt to check your shackle bushings in the back too, but if they are shot the affect won't be nearly as significant as worn front end parts.
That aside, check tie rods, ball joints, and wheel bearings. Replace and necessary. Also check axle pivot bushings and radius arm bushings, replace as necessary. Doesn't hurt to check your shackle bushings in the back too, but if they are shot the affect won't be nearly as significant as worn front end parts.
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