What do you mean it's SHORT???
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern PA
What do you mean it's SHORT???
I recently had the front end on my 96XLT Bronco realigned (for the 2nd time this year) and the shop still couldn't bring it in. It's alot better than it was but still not 100%. The techs at the shop decided to measure the wheel base and discovered that the right side is about 1 1/4" shorter than the left side. Is there any way to find the dimensions for distances from the alignment pins on the frame to various points on the vehicle. Although it dosen't look like it, I'm afraid this truck may have been involved in an accident. Any info greatly appreciated.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
What do you mean it's SHORT???
Go to Carfax.com and pull the record on your vehicle. I think it costs around $20, but knowing exactly what your vehicle has been involved in is worth the price. With an issue like that, I would be curious......
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Madison, AL
What do you mean it's SHORT???
Take it to a frame shop and get them to check it out. They can put it on a special rack and measure it properly. They might even be able to stretch it out while you wait. Your front-end guy might have been giving you a run-around because he was too inept to properly align the Bronco's IFS.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Madison, AL
What do you mean it's SHORT???
As a quick check you can have a buddy drive behind you down a straight stretch of road. If the frame is off, the vehicle will not track right, which should be noticible to the person behind you.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 52
From: Wheatland, Mo
What do you mean it's SHORT???
Another thing to check is the positioning of the rear leafs. You should be able to look and see if the leafs have moved by the marks on them where the shackles clamp down. Previous owner may have made mods to it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,526
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From: Round Rock, TX
What do you mean it's SHORT???
Did they bother to check the radius arm bushings before they tried to align it? It's pretty common for the passenger side to disintegrate since it's right next to the cat. This could "shorten" the wheelbase about an inch. It will also make it impossible to align, even if they got it within spec on the computer.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver USA
What do you mean it's SHORT???
I agree with bigric on this one. I took my truck in and the tech could not align it or get it to stay aligned. I took it to a reputable shop and had them do a 4 wheel alignment. They discovered that my radial arm bushing were worn and needed to be replaced. If they are worn it will cause your front axle to shift backwards or forwards. Another sign that your bushings are worn is that your truck will wander on the road at 60 mph. Take it to a shop that does 4x4 and RV's. Let us know what happens.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
What do you mean it's SHORT???
Bigric is right and axle pivot bushings gone bad will allow the end of the axle thats actually attached to the frame to shift forward and back in the mount. With TTB there is a LOT of margin for error which makes it one of (if not the single) most difficult setups to align properly. With the two bushings and two ball joints being the critical wear components that are expected to hold it all in place, its not a wonder that things can, and do, go haywire.
An inch and a quarter is quite a difference but enough slop in any of the afforementioned components could make it possible. I'd be checking Carfax AND the entire bushing/balljoint, setup for slop and wear.
An inch and a quarter is quite a difference but enough slop in any of the afforementioned components could make it possible. I'd be checking Carfax AND the entire bushing/balljoint, setup for slop and wear.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 40
From: Melbourne, FL
What do you mean it's SHORT???
I had this problem with a '78 I bought a few years ago. When my dad was following me home, he noticed that it looked like the truck was driving crooked down a straight road. Turns out that the previous owner must have nailed something with the rear end and sheared the bottom of the pin off that goes through the leaf pack. This let onside of the axle slide forward and backward, depending on whether I was on the gas or brake.
You can check this real easy by crawling under the truck and looking at the under side of the spring perch on the axle to see if the spring pack pin is in the hole.
You can check this real easy by crawling under the truck and looking at the under side of the spring perch on the axle to see if the spring pack pin is in the hole.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, CO
What do you mean it's SHORT???
I just replaced the ball joints, tie rod ends, drag link, shocks, and radius arm bushings. Man does it drive good now. I had it aligned and it's perfect for now.
One question though.... My tires point in at the bottom now. So if you look at the truck from the front, it looks like this.... \ / . Although obviously not that much of an angle. I read somewhere that normal camber?? is toe-in? And when I jump on the bumper, the tires flex out to straight, so I'm thinking it's correct. It just looks strange.
Brian
One question though.... My tires point in at the bottom now. So if you look at the truck from the front, it looks like this.... \ / . Although obviously not that much of an angle. I read somewhere that normal camber?? is toe-in? And when I jump on the bumper, the tires flex out to straight, so I'm thinking it's correct. It just looks strange.
Brian
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
What do you mean it's SHORT???
Yosemite,
\ / this is better than / \ this. If you just replaced all that stuff, give it a few weeks, even a month of driving around and see if it doesn't "settle in" to being | | all the time.
\ / this is better than / \ this. If you just replaced all that stuff, give it a few weeks, even a month of driving around and see if it doesn't "settle in" to being | | all the time.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern PA
What do you mean it's SHORT???
To everyone that answered I thank you. I guess I should have mentioned that I had just recently replaced the left side radius arm bushing, the right side being in good shape. I will check the leaf springs and all of the suspension parts. If they pass then I guess it's going to be a trip to the frame shop!!! I'll keep you updated. Thanks again everyone.