Suspension dummy needs help

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 11, 2015 | 04:33 PM

mo76

Thread Starter

5th Wheeling

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 46

Likes: 0

Suspension dummy needs help

I don't know the first thing about suspension. That said, my 76 2wd F150 is almost dangerous to drive. When I hit a bump, my truck jumps to the side. With already loose steering, this is not good. What usually causes this? I'm wondering where to start.

Mar 11, 2015 | 04:44 PM

HIO Silver

Fleet Owner

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 20,678

Likes: 83

From: NorCal

C'mon now, this ain't rocket science...

Start with a visual inspection and look for loose/broken/worn/leaking parts.

Then do a touch and feel inspection and wiggle/jar/shake/crimp the suspension and steering components.

Mar 11, 2015 | 06:21 PM

4x4slik

Elder User

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 898

Likes: 3

From: Chillicothe, IA

For about $250 you can replace the radius arm bushings, tierods, drag links, sleeves and replace seals in the steering gear. I would remove the steering gear to replace seals, and then adjust the slop in it. Only thing left is the king pin bushings, which I have never done. Lots of articles here and other places on repairing the steering gear.

Mar 11, 2015 | 08:13 PM

earthquake68

Hotshot

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 13,146

Likes: 348

From: THIS IS SPARTA!, ...Mo.

Yes. Jack up each side under the axle as close to the tire as possible without touching the tire. grab hold of the tire at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock. Shake it back and forth. you'll feel slop if there's something worn out. Now grab it at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock. Do the same thing. To check radius arm bushings, get a pry bar and pry sideways on the washer by the bushing. The radius arm bushings go bad from the inside out. They all look good. There should be much play if anything at all side to side.

Mar 11, 2015 | 08:22 PM

77_f250_custom

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 193

Likes: 0

4x4Slik has the right idea. When it comes to steering and brakes, never EVER make it "good enough". The body could rot away, the engine could blow smoke out every orifice, but if your steering and stopping is bad, it needs the attention first. I did mine before I redid the carb, even though the carb was having major issues. This was because when I do get it driving, I want to be safe. Don't go cheap on parts, and if you have the slightest inclination it is failing, replace it.

Mar 12, 2015 | 04:02 PM

mo76

Thread Starter

5th Wheeling

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 46

Likes: 0

Thank you all for your replies. I want to be able to learn by assessing it all, and for something as vital as this, I'll be taking it to my mechanic. I don't mess with this or the brakes on my own.

Thanks!

Mar 12, 2015 | 06:17 PM

77&79F250

Moderator & parts slinger

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 50,247

Likes: 5,815

From: S/W Missouri, Polk county

Buy a Chilton or Hanes manual at the auto parts store and get under your truck and learn what is what and how to insp it.

Bad or loose lug nuts, wheel bearings, ball joints/king pins, tie rod ends, shocks. Loose rear leaf spring u bolts, worn out radius arm bushings, broken front coil spring, steering box worn out, steering shaft "rag" joint worn.

See if you mechanic will "enlighten" you on what things are called and maybe even let you get your hands dirty working on it. Wrenching is almost therapeutic IMO.