Suspension Problem
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Suspension Problem
i have a 99 f150 4x4, 4.6l ext. cab. the suspension ride bounces way too much. i just fixed a sway bar link that had broke. the shocks are not that old (all 4), 1-1.5 yrs old. the front end will bounce pretty bad, but the shocks seem to be in good shape. i just replace the idler are too. not sure if that would mess something up. sometimes it seems like the front end will sit higher than the rear end, and other times it seems to be pretty level. and the rear suspension has a squeaking sound to it as well. not sure if the springs are going bad, or if the torsion bars are bad. also the rear suspension will bounce up and down freely, then a few bounces later will tighten up like the shocks just kicked in.
i really dont know where my problem lies. i noticed yesterday that the bushings in the front shocks are larger now and the shock will travel an 1/8 or 1/4 inch before the shock is engaged. what could the problem be....Leaf springs, torsion bars, ball joints, shocks????? any ideas.....thanks guys..
i really dont know where my problem lies. i noticed yesterday that the bushings in the front shocks are larger now and the shock will travel an 1/8 or 1/4 inch before the shock is engaged. what could the problem be....Leaf springs, torsion bars, ball joints, shocks????? any ideas.....thanks guys..
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: SW VA
Originally Posted by cneagle87
how do you check the sway bar??? and would the shocks cause the rear end to sink a little or is that leaf spring related, or something else...
About your rear-end "sinking"....that would be your leaf springs. Shocks do not support the weight of the truck.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: SW VA
Originally Posted by cneagle87
ok, i dont know a lot about the torsion bars..how do i check them. how can i tell if they have been cranked up?
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i checked the bolts and the passenger side bolt is about 1/4-1/3 of an inch lower than the driver side. the driver side may be sticking down about an inch...is this normal to be at different lengths of should they be the same?
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Originally Posted by ATC Crazy
If you lay under the truck at about the middle of the doors, you will see where the torsion bars connect to the frame. There will be a bolt sticking down. That bolt should stick out about 1 to 1.5 inches if I recall right. I would go out and check my truck, but it's raining cats and dogs over here...
i checked the bolts and the passenger side bolt is about 1/4-1/3 of an inch lower than the driver side. the driver side may be sticking down about an inch...is this normal to be at different lengths of should they be the same?
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: SW VA
I've seen them both ways. Where some are even and some are off a little bit. They sould like they are still at the factory settings...so everything should be OK with them.
Other than that, the only thing I can think of is your shocks. I know you said they were pretty new, but that's all that comes to my mind.
Other than that, the only thing I can think of is your shocks. I know you said they were pretty new, but that's all that comes to my mind.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Lexington Mo
Hanging bolt
The bolt at the backside (rear) is to adjust the torsion bar. If you have some highth difference from you're left and right side of the truck (front wheel well or bumper) you can adjust that heighth difference with that bolt for the torsion bar.
Still sounds like you're shocks have petered out.
Bob
Still sounds like you're shocks have petered out.
Bob
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Originally Posted by ATC Crazy
I've seen them both ways. Where some are even and some are off a little bit. They sould like they are still at the factory settings...so everything should be OK with them.
Other than that, the only thing I can think of is your shocks. I know you said they were pretty new, but that's all that comes to my mind.
Other than that, the only thing I can think of is your shocks. I know you said they were pretty new, but that's all that comes to my mind.
well, i guess i will take them back and put some rancho's on it...and see if that takes care of it...but how would i tell if the torsions bar are worn out?
Post Fiend
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From: Lexington Mo
they're good.
I work in a busy shop doing mostly suspension, alignments, brakes. I've never had to change a torsion bar in my life. If you have a badly worn or broken torsion bar you'd know it. That side of the truck would be on the tire, bad sag....
A sway bar bushing, or link pin for the sway bar can give you some leaning problems on turns, and maybe some noises (popping/thumping) if the link pins were broken. Again usually not much of a problem on the light duty pick ups.
Bob
A sway bar bushing, or link pin for the sway bar can give you some leaning problems on turns, and maybe some noises (popping/thumping) if the link pins were broken. Again usually not much of a problem on the light duty pick ups.
Bob
