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?

 

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....

 

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.

 

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.

 

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!

 

Good job. Radius arm bushings are easy and don't require any special tools. I have to replace all my balljonts here soon also.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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!

 

Where did you buy them?

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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!