Another question
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From: South...
Another question
So, yesterday, I had the wheels balanced and installed new front brake pads. I heard an annoying squeaking that seems to come from the rear, so while the wheels were off for balancing, I pulled the drums...the adjuster and spring FELL out of both when I pulled the drums. Apparently whoever did the last rear brake job didn't know how to reassemble....luckily minimal damage was done. I installed the adjusters and buttoned everything back up.
My question is this...the front end still has vibration, mostly at 30-45mph...once it gets above 60, it smooths out.
Also...the tops of the front wheels tilt inward VERY noticeably.
I figure with 121k miles on it and 15 years of wear/tear...the front end (ball joints, tie-rod ends, etc.) could probably use some freshening up.
Should I replace all ball joints, tie-rod ends, U-joints, radius arm bushings...all at the same time, then have the front end aligned? Am I forgetting anything?
Or should I replace them in any particular order and see if the vibration goes away after each?
I don't want to just throw money at it...so should I do one thing at a time, or all at once?
My question is this...the front end still has vibration, mostly at 30-45mph...once it gets above 60, it smooths out.
Also...the tops of the front wheels tilt inward VERY noticeably.
I figure with 121k miles on it and 15 years of wear/tear...the front end (ball joints, tie-rod ends, etc.) could probably use some freshening up.
Should I replace all ball joints, tie-rod ends, U-joints, radius arm bushings...all at the same time, then have the front end aligned? Am I forgetting anything?
Or should I replace them in any particular order and see if the vibration goes away after each?
I don't want to just throw money at it...so should I do one thing at a time, or all at once?
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From: victoria
when you don't know..have it checked by the guy's that work on front ends all day they can tell you what it need's without a lot of effort ..it better then getting parts and finding you didn't need them..I would get a couple of estimates..just to be sure...who mounted your tires?? they should have do an inspction to protect the new tires....
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From: South...
Excellent suggestion Ken...will take it to a couple alignment shops and get estimates...better than replacing parts that are still good.
As for the tires...they were already on it when I got it...I just had them rebalanced to try to eliminate that as a source of the vibration.
As for the tires...they were already on it when I got it...I just had them rebalanced to try to eliminate that as a source of the vibration.
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From: North Dakota
If you take it to get aligned, they SHOULD tell you if any of the suspention/ball joints are bad. Its impossable to get it aligned rigt if any of he front suspention is worn and needs replacment.
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From: South...
the alignment shop told me the right lower ball joint is bad and the right upper has slop in it...and it needs adjustable caster/camber bushings for proper alignment. They offered to do everything for $900.
Told them I would replace the ball joints myself and install the caster/camber bushings. I'd never done either, but figured for $900, I could learn
So, last Saturday, I replaced both right ball joints and installed the adjustable caster/camber bushing.
This Friday and/or Saturday, I hope to do the left side ball joints, caster/camber bushing, new axle pivot bushings, new MOOG coil springs, WARN Premium locking hubs and IF I HAVE any energy left...the radius arm bushings...then take it and have it aligned.
Wish me luck!
Told them I would replace the ball joints myself and install the caster/camber bushings. I'd never done either, but figured for $900, I could learn
So, last Saturday, I replaced both right ball joints and installed the adjustable caster/camber bushing.
This Friday and/or Saturday, I hope to do the left side ball joints, caster/camber bushing, new axle pivot bushings, new MOOG coil springs, WARN Premium locking hubs and IF I HAVE any energy left...the radius arm bushings...then take it and have it aligned.
Wish me luck!
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From: South...
Thanks Edge!
Funny thing...I got the radius arm bushings by mistake when I thought I was ordering the adjustable caster/camber upper ball joint bushings. I was gonna send them back, but thought I might as well replace them too...so I went to Napa locally for the caster/camber ball joint bushings.
Funny thing...I got the radius arm bushings by mistake when I thought I was ordering the adjustable caster/camber upper ball joint bushings. I was gonna send them back, but thought I might as well replace them too...so I went to Napa locally for the caster/camber ball joint bushings.
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The Southernmost Mod
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From: Caracas, Venezuela
If you noticed the tilting after you parked the truck driving backwards, don't be worried. Drive some feets forward and you should be fine.
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From: Small acerage in Nebraska
I just finished installing new ball joints on my '91 last sat. I had replaced the radius arm bushings and center pivot bushings almost a year ago. When I got the passenger side tore down I found the u-joint was siezed up from rust. Another trip into town. Purchased some Precsion greasable u-joints and installed Moog ball joints, greasable as well. I still need to order a set of adjustable camber bushings, It has a 1* in both sides at the moment.
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From: South...
I believe my original camber bushing were 1 deg. as well. I really like the adjustables...easy to install and set up...and adjustable from 0 to 2.75 (If I remember correctly). I thought they were a bit pricey though!
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From: South...
Napa...they took care of me, but I still thought they were a bit expensive...$38.49 each (online at Napa)
This is the one I got - https://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...+50028+2028004
This is the one I got - https://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...+50028+2028004
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From: Small acerage in Nebraska
Just ordered apair of adjustable bushings, Raybestos, for $56 for both at Rockauto.com. Was told they were no longer available by local Advance Auto store. I looked at your link, looks exactly the same! Might be easier to get any warranty problems solved by going through a local like NAPA. My budget needs all the help it can get though.
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From: South...
I understand completely about the budget... I was under a "personally-imposed" time crunch when I bought those from Napa...I had THOUGHT that's what I was getting when I ordered a pair through Amazon...same description - "adjustable caster/camber bushing"...they sent me a pair of adjustable caster/camber radius arm bushings...which isn't entirely a bad thing since I was planning on replacing them anyway. But I planning to work on it last Saturday and didn't have time to wait on another shipper, so I went with NAPA.
I figured since the alignment shop wanted $900+ to replace two ball joints and install a pair of caster/camber bushings, I was still WAY ahead of the $$ game
I figured since the alignment shop wanted $900+ to replace two ball joints and install a pair of caster/camber bushings, I was still WAY ahead of the $$ game
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From: Small acerage in Nebraska
Am in the process of getting some new tires as well. Bought 2 put them on the rear axle,they couldn't get 31x11.50s so went with 33x12.50s. I figure I'll borrow a pair off of my '78 till I get other 2 bought. Tires are really worn and they almost couldn't get them balanced lst time I had them fixed. Haven't put them on yet but the 31s must be way out of balance again because Bronco starts shaking at about 62 mph. I imagine most of the front misalignment is from the heavy bumper and fatigued springs. Will be shopping for new front and rear springs after the tires. One thing I always sugest when working on most parts is to use plenty of antisieze on anything you might have to remove later. Corrosion sucks!
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