early bronco sway
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: maui.HI
early bronco sway
hi guys, my 74 bronco always had a very slight wandering, going down a straight highway. recently it got worse. I've replaced the tires (31x10.5x15 BFG all-terrains). checked my ball joints and steering parts. I've got a 2" suspension lift. I had the truck aligned (shop said the toe was corrected but my pass side camber was alittle out of specs and didn't think it made the truck wander.) I've installed a drop bracket for the track bar (thought that it might put a better lateral angle towards the front end. checked and adjusted wheel bearings. all this and can't figure out way it sways so much. Mostly does it going at 40-50 mph. but then improves going over 50 mph. It also feels like the front end shifts toward the pass side then to the drivers side when I suddenly decelerate from 50 down.
I've been told to check the track bushings but I replaced them with urethane bushings a couple of years ago and they seem in tack. I'm lost...any suggestions are appreciated...
I've been told to check the track bushings but I replaced them with urethane bushings a couple of years ago and they seem in tack. I'm lost...any suggestions are appreciated...
Still kicking!!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,061
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From: Kalispell, Mt.
Not that I'm a suspension expert, but a couple questions come to mind.
1. Do you feel any play in the suspension when you have the truck lifted by the bumper...or even with weight on it? I grab the tires from time to time and push and pull with all my might just to see if there's anything to feel.
2. How are the shocks? One bad shock may cause a softer ride on one side, causing a pulling effect one way or the other...especially during decelleration when more weight is shifted to the front.
3. You've checked all the steering linkages and the steering box for play?
4. No insult intended, but is the bolt in the drop down bracket on the track bar the right size and grade? Is the hole ovalling out?
Good luck...let us know what you find. You have me curious.
1. Do you feel any play in the suspension when you have the truck lifted by the bumper...or even with weight on it? I grab the tires from time to time and push and pull with all my might just to see if there's anything to feel.
2. How are the shocks? One bad shock may cause a softer ride on one side, causing a pulling effect one way or the other...especially during decelleration when more weight is shifted to the front.
3. You've checked all the steering linkages and the steering box for play?
4. No insult intended, but is the bolt in the drop down bracket on the track bar the right size and grade? Is the hole ovalling out?
Good luck...let us know what you find. You have me curious.
Still kicking!!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,061
Likes: 6
From: Kalispell, Mt.
I was just thinking about something else when I re read this post. The sway could also possibly be coming from the rear end. If there's a bad shock on either side, play in the shackles or anywhere, that could cause a drifty feeling also. But I do mainly suspect the front. Do you have one of those steering stablilizer shocks on yours? I found them to be amazingly helpful on my 73, because the person I got it from had put a tiny steering wheel on it and in ruts...well...lets say it wasn't a joy to steer until I put the stabilizer on.
Your problem has been bugging me for a few days. I hate steering issues when Im cruising. They just a bothersome PITA until you figger it out.
Your problem has been bugging me for a few days. I hate steering issues when Im cruising. They just a bothersome PITA until you figger it out.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,157
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From: Central Kali
I had that problem in my 71 with a dana 30 axle. It went away when I put in a dana 44. It was like day and night as far as stability going down the road. I never did figure out why the 30 was doing what it did.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 476
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From: Greatest state on earth
You might just need to install 2 or 4 degree C bushings. It fixed a wandering problem I had on a customers ride. They had stock suspension and dead rear shocks. Actually a totally non working shock on the right rear. The Bronco had 33" tires and would cause a serious white knuckle situation before I changed parts. With up to 4 inches lift, I would recommend 4 degree bushings.
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From: maui.HI
I rechecked drop trak bar brkt bolts, shook bumper side to side as hard as i could, checked steering play. I do have a steering stab. and I'll chek that and F&R shocks later. I did install 7 deg C bushings(thinking it would help). I'll chek the rear suspension later. It seems my wandering problems got worse when I bought brand new BFG all terrains. I don't think it's the tires though. thanks for all the replies and I'll let you know after I chek the above stuffs...
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From: maui.HI
Ok guys, I unbolted my front shock and found my drivers side was locking up on the extention stroke and both were dead on the compression stroke. so i ordered new ones and I'll fill you in as soon as I install them. thanks again.
Last edited by mauicruza; Oct 7, 2004 at 01:39 AM.
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Trailering
Joined: Apr 2004
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If the shocks don't fix it. The problem you describe is similar to a problem I had with my 71. I regreased the front bearings and made sure they were tight. Seems to have worked.
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Here's one for you. The only reason I'm bringing this one up is you mention of the frontend shifting oon deceleration. Do you have a locker or spool in the rear? These will effect highway driving and make the truck wander a little on roads with tire tracks (grooves)pounded into them. A detroit/spool will make the truck shift to one side on acceleration and the other on deceleration. Just a thought.
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From: maui.HI
no spool or locker, just a very worn out lim.slip. I replaced all for shocks and double checked my wheel bearings. wandering got alot better but still pulls right on decel. I'm wondering what is the right way to check free play on steering box. I checked it's mounting bolts, steering wheel has about 2" of play when engine off.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,594
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From: Southern Oregon USA
Don't rule out the track bar bushings even if they were changed in the last couple of years. I've seen them fail after one good curb hit.
Ideally, you want the angle between the track bar and the drag link to be as parallel as possible. Another thing to consider is the track bar drop bracket.
When you drop the track bar, you shift the front end over towards the passenger side. This causes the drag link to move the steering box off center (which is the tightest tolerance in the steering). As a rule of thumb, you usually don't need a drop bracket with a 2" lift. But I've came across a few that used a drop bracket and drop pitman arm so there's no sure answer.
To find the steering box center, turn the steering lock to lock (may need to disconnect the linkage at the pitman arm), and then turn it back half that amount. You might find that with your wheels straight ahead and the steering box centered, that the linkage won't connect. You then need an adjustable draglink.
To adjust the steering box, you want to make sure that the box is centered first. At that point the adjustment varies depending on whether you have manual or power steering. 2" of play doesn't sound excessive to me though.
Jason
Ideally, you want the angle between the track bar and the drag link to be as parallel as possible. Another thing to consider is the track bar drop bracket.
When you drop the track bar, you shift the front end over towards the passenger side. This causes the drag link to move the steering box off center (which is the tightest tolerance in the steering). As a rule of thumb, you usually don't need a drop bracket with a 2" lift. But I've came across a few that used a drop bracket and drop pitman arm so there's no sure answer.
To find the steering box center, turn the steering lock to lock (may need to disconnect the linkage at the pitman arm), and then turn it back half that amount. You might find that with your wheels straight ahead and the steering box centered, that the linkage won't connect. You then need an adjustable draglink.
To adjust the steering box, you want to make sure that the box is centered first. At that point the adjustment varies depending on whether you have manual or power steering. 2" of play doesn't sound excessive to me though.
Jason
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From: washington!
Hmm well the pull on decel could be caused by something in the rear end since technically thats the only area thats changing state during decel going from providing a pushing force on the rear axle to a pulling force it can change the way the rear springs behave and if you have a worn bushing on one side it will shift the rear axle. Just a thought, I am kinda stumped on this one. Also my 73 had wicked brake pull (because I being the cheap *** I was at the time milled one of the front brake drums way out of spec to save from having to buy a new one), but other than that it tracked straight as an arrow. And your 2" of play seems to be about the norm.
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This may sound kinda stupid, but on my last 77 I had the same problem after changing nearly everything on the suspension. I had new wheels, tires, c bushings, track bar bushings, bearings, brakes, 2 shocks per wheel, traction bars, double shock sway control, springs, and diffs. Believe it or not, I lowered the air pressure in my tires and the wandering went away.
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From: maui.HI
replacing the shocks did help a little. I'm concerned about the sway after decele. I'm going to replace track bushings even though they look good. My rear spring bushings seem ok but I'm going to replace them also. I'll even try bringing the tire pressure down. thanks for all the responses..
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