Some of you guys know that I was having a camber issue a few weeks back. And, some of you may have picked up on the IWE question I had the other day. Well, at 180,000+ miles, I have decided to do a rebuild on the front end. I am gathering parts and have conflicting information on the availabilty of lower control arm bushings. I have found some posts here on FTE that suggest an aftermarket LCA bushing kit is available. Can anyone confirm this?


So far I have picked up (or ordered)
*new Integrated Wheel Ends
*Upper Control Arms
*Lower Ball Joints
*Lower Contol Arm Cam Bolts.
*Sway Bar Links


I can't find
*Lower Control Arm Bushings. Don"t want to have to replace the arm.
*Sway Bar Bushings.



Recently Replaced
*Strut Cartridges (@175,000)
*Tires (@ 175,000)
*Hub Assemblys (@140,000)
*Driver Side Inner Tie Tod End (@110,000)



Any warnings or suggestions? If anyone knows anything about LCA bushings - please chime in.

Thanks,

Bob

 

Gurus, seniors ---???

 

Somebody has to make LCA bushings for our trucks. TRW either makes them or buys them from somewhere. Ford might have sway bar bushings.

 

Energy suspension makes poly bushings if you want to go that route......

 

I know there had been talk about the inability to keep pressed bushings into the aluminum tight, which is why you may be having a hard time finding them.....

 

Thanks for chiminig in guys. Will look around.

 

I really appreciate you guys chiming in. I am still looking.

 

Ryan,

Found it.

Energy Suspension 4.18125 Hyperflex Master Kit - Ford F150 - 2WD and 4WD

Thanks

 

Broke every thing down on the drivers side and found the upper mounting bracket for the front differential had a weld failure. The diff was just hanging there. Broke down the passenger side and replaced everything I could without interfering with the differential drop. Removed the differential, had a few shots of Mr. J. W. Blue and went to bed.

This morning I welded the bracket back on - tested the weld with a floor jack. All was good, but I knew that lining up "that" particular bolt was going to be a pain - - and it was. Keep in mind - I am doing this by myself - I am sore from yesterday - and, it is 25 degrees outside. It took 3 hours to get the diff bolted in (the bracket was distorted a bit, and of course that bolt is the most difficult to get to.)

I got everything back together and torqued to spec. Took her for a test drive and, I still love this truck. What a great feeling - a new front suspension in a truck with a whole bunch of miles on her.

Here is what I did:

*New upper control arms - bushings, ball joints.
*New lower control arm bushings.
*New lower control arm adjustable cam bolts
*New lower ball joints.
*New sway bar bushings.
*New sway bar end links
*New outer tie rod ends.
*New IWE actuators.
*New gear oil.
*Oil & filter change.
*Rotate tires.
*Clean throttle body.
*Thrust angle alignment.

$700.00 in parts and consumables.

I am happy as a clam. If I get another 180k out of this front end - I would consider it to be a good investment of time and frustration.

 

Glad you got it all fixed again. Should drive like a new truck again. Sure beats laying out the price for a new truck. And that's as good of reason as any to have a few shots of J.W. Blue.

 

where did you find adjustable lca cam bolts?

 

Good job! You saved yourself probably $1500 labor.