Newbie, Serious front end probems
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Newbie, Serious front end probems
Well, I am pretty experience in and around cars/trucks. This whole think sucks because I am just about sick of suspension work after a ton of it on my 91 300zx. Fortunately, the truck is a winter vehicle so I have plenty of time to fix it.
History...I was tooling around a buddy's farm, birds chirping and all then Bang!! One grass covered ravine/creek just a little deeper than the wheels of my truck. I think I was doing about 25 or so and I plowed right though it. I was able to make the 40 minute drive home thank god!
Damage... bumper, to driver's side quarter panel to driver door all shifted (no bigger) I believe the radius arms are bent along with the pivot brackets (Maybe, not sure). The wheels were shoved back a bit thus pulling all the steering stuff along with it including the shaft from the steering box. Well, the steering box still has it's shaft, the seal is leaking like crazy!
Plan... remove the wheels, all steering linkages, swaybar, radius arms/brackets, and pivot brackets. Then put it all back fixing the small stuff along the way.
Questions...
Does the plan sound accurate?
Anybody ever replace the pivot brackets? Where do you get them?
Do you think the steering box is rebuildable?
Is there anything else I really need to look into on this one.
Thanks for you time, I will have to post some pics once I get the mud sprayed off. Almost forgot... it is a 94 150 4.9L 4WD
History...I was tooling around a buddy's farm, birds chirping and all then Bang!! One grass covered ravine/creek just a little deeper than the wheels of my truck. I think I was doing about 25 or so and I plowed right though it. I was able to make the 40 minute drive home thank god!
Damage... bumper, to driver's side quarter panel to driver door all shifted (no bigger) I believe the radius arms are bent along with the pivot brackets (Maybe, not sure). The wheels were shoved back a bit thus pulling all the steering stuff along with it including the shaft from the steering box. Well, the steering box still has it's shaft, the seal is leaking like crazy!
Plan... remove the wheels, all steering linkages, swaybar, radius arms/brackets, and pivot brackets. Then put it all back fixing the small stuff along the way.
Questions...
Does the plan sound accurate?
Anybody ever replace the pivot brackets? Where do you get them?
Do you think the steering box is rebuildable?
Is there anything else I really need to look into on this one.
Thanks for you time, I will have to post some pics once I get the mud sprayed off. Almost forgot... it is a 94 150 4.9L 4WD
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Well, maybe it isn't as bad as I thought. I had ordered new radius arms, and when I took them out to compare, they pretty much look the same.
The wheels are sitting like /---\ and the passenger side is alignment is way off. Before the trouble, I knew by ball joints were failing because of inside ware. Could I have just finished off the ball joints and reall hosed up my steering?
Here is the links to my pics as promissed.
http://www.smartfishes.com/photos/truck
The wheels are sitting like /---\ and the passenger side is alignment is way off. Before the trouble, I knew by ball joints were failing because of inside ware. Could I have just finished off the ball joints and reall hosed up my steering?
Here is the links to my pics as promissed.
http://www.smartfishes.com/photos/truck
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,545
Likes: 4
From: Coal Region
looks like ur tie rod is bent...have it alligned at a good shop and see if that helps.
to check ur ball joints, jack up under the arm and get a long pry bar and jam it under the tire and pry up. if loose then replace. also grab at 6/12 and shake up n down...
dont know what else to tell ya
to check ur ball joints, jack up under the arm and get a long pry bar and jam it under the tire and pry up. if loose then replace. also grab at 6/12 and shake up n down...
dont know what else to tell ya
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Thanks for the tips
I am begining to think that all the steering links are hosed. The drive alxe comming out of the gear box seems pulled and leaking.
The only thing I am can't figure out is what is making the camber look like /---\
How is camber adjusted?
I am begining to think that all the steering links are hosed. The drive alxe comming out of the gear box seems pulled and leaking.
The only thing I am can't figure out is what is making the camber look like /---\
How is camber adjusted?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Camber is adjusted by a special shim/nut that goes in the top of the ball joint on the knuckle. The stock one will adjust positive/negative 1 degree. There are aftermarket ones for 2 and 3 degree.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Cool, I am going to do my ball joints anyway. I know I was having trouble with them before the problem. It was steering just like my old 67 mustang did before I replaced those. I can check out the shims and stuff too.
When looking at the ball joint I can see it seems to be slanted over some too, I think that might be adding to my camber problem as well. Let me tell you it is way out!
When looking at the ball joint I can see it seems to be slanted over some too, I think that might be adding to my camber problem as well. Let me tell you it is way out!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Matt In Detroit
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
6
Oct 21, 2011 06:34 PM
Greywolf
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Dec 18, 2003 07:46 PM
92Flare150
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Nov 26, 2003 02:03 PM
