Hello,
While changing my oil today I can across a distrubing sight...there are two brackets on my 90 F150 4x4 that are cracked! I will try and describe the brackets, hopefully someone can offer some advice.

The brackets are part of the front suspension, they connect the long bar that the shock bolts to to the frame itself, near the front of the door. They are cracked right in lower rear corner of where the bar mounts. One is just cracked, one actually has a piece missing! Now I've been driving the truck for a few years and have been chasing a "popping" noise when I turn slow like in parking lots, and I think I found it!

Anyway these appear to be some type of big bushing, so I'm hoping I can just unbolt the bolt there and have them welded up good...hopefully we can make a gusset for the other side (or maybe both) to help support them.

Is this a common problem? Was my truck some type of Baja desert racer in it's past life? Does anyone even know what I'm talking about (hopefully!)?

What do we think about welding? The bracket looks to bolt on, but if this is a common problem, I'm guessing even if I did find one in a junkyard it would be similar to these.

HELP!

Thanks!

Adam

 

Well... Adam, you ***** out of luck. I will give 5 bucks for it. j/k

GO to www.rockauto.com and get a pair of control arm brackets and new bushings. It is not hard to replace them. Post if you have any questions.

Later,

 

Thanks for the quick tip -- looking there I don't see anything under control arm bracket or control arm bushings -- but I DO see radius arm brackets (no picture) as well as TWO different radius arm bushings -- one looks similar to what I can see, but the other I do not recognize.

I'm thinking these are what I'm looking for...can you confirm? Also -- any special way to change them, loaded suspension, unloaded, any tips? Watch out for flying parts when I unbolt them?

THANKS!

Adam

 

The "bars" going from the bracket to the suspension "arm" are called radius arms. Those are radius arm brackets that should just be replaced since they are so cheap. You can get them at a ford dealership or fordpartsonline.com.

 

Well, I guess that answered my last question -- I was looking at the right parts. This must be more common that I thought. My truck has never let me down, but it seems like maybe I neglect it by just doing routine maintance and towing my car.

Is there a better brand -- Ford, Moog, ???

So -- any info on replacing them -- tip or tricks? What to do or not to do?

Thanks again -- I feel a little better now.

Adam

 

well your gonna have to grind or chisel the old rivits out, then probly bolt on the new ones. whatever you do, make sure you use grade 8 bolts, theres no substitute shy of welding in this case, but i think from what ive seen on the forum befare they come with grade 8 bolts, and there pretty straight foward by the looks of them, good luck.

 

Hey Adam ......

Yeap, you are right. Ford calls it radius Arm, the rest of the world call it control arm. We all are talking about the same thing.

In the Rockauto, they shows the two part numbers, One supersudes the other. They are the same parts but tow different number. You only need one set and good for both pass and driver side. Make sure you buy the heat shield for the pass side. All the parts are made by Moog. You just pay more from Stealership.

Please note, some F-series bracket is not bolted on, so you need to ground them of to take old one out. The Moog Bracket comes with all mounting hardware, so you should be good to go once you get the bracket off. Use some silicon grease to help you insert the brushing. After all installed, have your truck stand on its wheeels and torque to proper spec. I can't rememeber what it is. If you need it, I can look it up when I get home. Hope you have a powerful impact wrench, you need it. Otherwise, apply PB the nite before. . HTH.

Later,

 

A torch (oxy acedlene)may also be helpful to you in removeing the radius arm nuts, so you dont damage or even ruin the radius arm,

 

If it is a 4X4 you should look into getting a set of aftermarket radius arms that a longer. They will increase wheel travel and soften the ride up a bit. I belive that the ones from Tough Country com with new brackets.

 

Oh boy -- sounds like a fun one! I do see they look like they're bolted on -- so maybe replaced already? Anyway, I guess I'll make a couple calls tomorrow and see how much more it is to get locally than online and decide from there...and I suppose look into some aftermarket ones and see how they price out.

The torque spec would be great -- I don't think I saw it in my manuals (though I could also be blind).

Thanks for everything -- I may be back looking for more help -- this job is totally new to me!

 

Ok, just looked at aftermarket pieces...I don't think that's quite what I need. Thanks for the suggestion though -- looks like I'll stick with just replacing the braket (hopefully!)

Thanks again!

Adam

 

i would put stock ones one, you cant get more travel out of the radius arms unless you have longer springs, because of the fact there are bumpstops just over the axle under the frame, i personlay would get them from ford and put energy suspension bushings in them if they make em.

 

I have a set of radius arm w/ bushings for sale, they came off my 89 f-150 4x4. apprx 35,000 mile on them. when i put a 6'' suspension lift on my truck it came w/ new extented radius arm , if you are interested I am in Florida. Also have stock coil springs as well.

 

I think there is some confusion (at least on my part!). I think all I need is the $30-$50 bracket and the bushings (maybe?) -- not the whole radius arm. It doesn't sound like a terrible job either -- just one of those PITAs.

Am I supposed to be replacing the whole thing???

 

No, you don't need to unless yours are badly rust and cracked.

Later,