79 F150 Front Differential mounting Problem
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79 F150 Front Differential mounting Problem
I just bought a 79 f150 SC 4x4 the other day. It had a issue with the whole front differential moving when turning. At first i thought it was the bracket was loose. After further inspection it looks like the pin may have sheared at one time and a bolt was stuck in there. the bolt is loose, stripped and wedged. Kinda strange.
Is the pin that suppose to be there attached to the diff housing? Is the pin standalone? Is the pin part of the leaf spring? I am not quite sure what i need to fix it. The other side has a short square spacer above the leaf spring and the other side does not.
The only thing i have removed for the pic was squeeze bracket. If someone has a diagram it would be great.
Is the pin that suppose to be there attached to the diff housing? Is the pin standalone? Is the pin part of the leaf spring? I am not quite sure what i need to fix it. The other side has a short square spacer above the leaf spring and the other side does not.
The only thing i have removed for the pic was squeeze bracket. If someone has a diagram it would be great.
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I seperated the leaf spring from the diff. It appears the head of this bolt is not big enough for the hole in the diff. I am guessing the best way to fix it is to get the right pin, and the top leaf spacer thing and it should work. I am very unsure of myself, so i am open to sugestions. Whatis is this pinned called and where could i get one?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Big Sky Country
That was an accident just waiting to happen, looks like the PO replaced the center bolt with one that was too short and just decided to leave off the U-bolt spacer plate so the center bolts nut would thread on, you need the correct size center bolt and the missing U-bolt spacer plate, the center bolt you should be able to source online, as for the U-bolt spacer plate it's most likely going to be a junk yard item.
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I am having a hard time locating the centerbolt size. It looks like the one in it is way too small. my front axle is a dana 44 if that helps.
This was an accident waiting to happen. While driving the truck home the whole axle would shift and cause me to switch lanes.
This was an accident waiting to happen. While driving the truck home the whole axle would shift and cause me to switch lanes.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Big Sky Country
You can try Napa, a Ford dealer, go online HB Bushings, Threaded Bushings and Center Bolts - Eaton Detroit Spring Inc. or just buy some grade 8 bolts and round off the heads on a grinding wheel, might wanna try JBG too, they carry a lot of misc. items on their website.
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Thanks for the info.
I was told it is 5/16 which seems small but it is what it is. I also hit every junkyard within 2 towns and no one had the spacer plate. I have been looking underneath and it looks like all my leafs are flat ( I guess that's why I am low riding), my pitman are is bad, 2 tires are worn and my idle arm will need replaced. I know all my shocks are worn. So I am wandering if it might be smart to go ahead and put a lift kit on it. I was planning on doing that when I got the bugs worked out but I think it may be logical to do it now.
I have never installed a lift kit before but doesn't look too bad. I am unsure though on how high to go. It is a sc long bed and I will need to be able to load my utv in the back. I am open to suggestions.
I was told it is 5/16 which seems small but it is what it is. I also hit every junkyard within 2 towns and no one had the spacer plate. I have been looking underneath and it looks like all my leafs are flat ( I guess that's why I am low riding), my pitman are is bad, 2 tires are worn and my idle arm will need replaced. I know all my shocks are worn. So I am wandering if it might be smart to go ahead and put a lift kit on it. I was planning on doing that when I got the bugs worked out but I think it may be logical to do it now.
I have never installed a lift kit before but doesn't look too bad. I am unsure though on how high to go. It is a sc long bed and I will need to be able to load my utv in the back. I am open to suggestions.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: The Shenandoah Valley
"Spring Center Bolt"
You can get them in long lengths at NAPA, etc. It's a long all threaded bolt with a screw slotted head that maybe 3/8 or 7/16" tall (the head) and you cut excess threads off. Use a good nut. The ones I've used are all fine thread.
The head is made round and taller to fit well in a hole in a perch or in your case .... front axle. Nut is exposed.
You can get them in long lengths at NAPA, etc. It's a long all threaded bolt with a screw slotted head that maybe 3/8 or 7/16" tall (the head) and you cut excess threads off. Use a good nut. The ones I've used are all fine thread.
The head is made round and taller to fit well in a hole in a perch or in your case .... front axle. Nut is exposed.
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Caledon ON
If that is the front end you are working on then the truck is not an F150. It is an F250 or F350. F150's have coil spring front ends, all others have leaf spring front ends.
You might want to degrease that thing and find your massive oil leak causing that mess. You don't want all of that oil and grease between the spring pad and spring when you reassemble it. Try your local spring shop, They will be able to get you the proper center bolt. As for the plate, if worse comes to worse, you can always cut one out of 1/4 inch plate steel.
You might want to degrease that thing and find your massive oil leak causing that mess. You don't want all of that oil and grease between the spring pad and spring when you reassemble it. Try your local spring shop, They will be able to get you the proper center bolt. As for the plate, if worse comes to worse, you can always cut one out of 1/4 inch plate steel.
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It is a 79 f150 super cab. They used leaf springs instead of coils.
My massive leak is power steering fluid. I have a leaky hose and the gearbox is leaking. These items will be fixed as soon as i can roll it again.
My massive leak is power steering fluid. I have a leaky hose and the gearbox is leaking. These items will be fixed as soon as i can roll it again.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,797
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From: The Shenandoah Valley
It's a 4 door crew cab is it not? 
I thought the "super cabs" which are just a little longer than a reg cab were still coils ... though now I'm wondering?
Maybe some call what we call "crew cabs" ... "super cabs" in some circles back then and maybe what I call a "super cab" now because of the newer trucks is what some called an "extra cab"?
But I just figured you had the "crew cab".
I thought the "super cabs" which are just a little longer than a reg cab were still coils ... though now I'm wondering?
Maybe some call what we call "crew cabs" ... "super cabs" in some circles back then and maybe what I call a "super cab" now because of the newer trucks is what some called an "extra cab"?
But I just figured you had the "crew cab".
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