hard hitting front wheel
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Cincinnati
hard hitting front wheel
gotta problem - Haven't noticed this until recently, but when I hit a bump with my passenger side front wheel, it really hits hard (much harder than the front drivers side). Only thing I can think of is struts? I'm sure it could be an assortment of things, but anyone have any suggestions/ideas? Thanks in advance...
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Gateway to the West
hard hitting front wheel
Wasn't aware '94's had struts. Shocks galore if you have the factory dual shocks in front but no struts. Check them for leaks and for bushing wear at the eyes. wouldn't hurt to check all the bushings under that corner of the truck. I had a radius arm bushing go south on me and it sounded like the front wheel was coming through the floor every time I hit a bump.
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From: Cincinnati
hard hitting front wheel
Yup! Shocks are the culprit. All !@#damn four of them up front. I dropped it off at my trusty mechanic this afternoon. Didn't take him long to figure that one out. Any idea of pricing - he seems to think around $300+, prolly no more than $400. Does that sound ball park-ish?
I guess my options are to suck the barrell and get it done, or deal with that horrible ride. I'll go for sucking the barrell, most likely.The ride is pretty bad right now.
I guess my options are to suck the barrell and get it done, or deal with that horrible ride. I'll go for sucking the barrell, most likely.The ride is pretty bad right now.
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From: Cincinnati
hard hitting front wheel
Is that $50/ea including installation? - that would be more like it. He wasn't sure without checking - but said that was ballpark. He is a trustworthy mechanic that has always been straight-up and honest with me, so I am sure he will come back with fair pricing.
I usually do all maintenance at home (from oil changes to brakes), so the Bronc rarely makes a visit to the mechanic. Any other maint. issues that I should have him look at while she's in there?
I usually do all maintenance at home (from oil changes to brakes), so the Bronc rarely makes a visit to the mechanic. Any other maint. issues that I should have him look at while she's in there?
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From: Vancouver WA
hard hitting front wheel
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 15-Oct-02 AT 05:30 PM (EST)]No, that was just for the shocks. You actually should be able to get some for less than that (in the $30 - $40 range). So it would just depend what your mechanic would charge for installation. It's really not that tough of a job. Did it on my '85. The only thing to watch out for if you do it yourself is making sure you get the shocks in the right place. The front and rear shocks are different in the dual setup.
While you or the mechanic is working on it, check the radius arm bushings and make sure they aren't worn out.
While you or the mechanic is working on it, check the radius arm bushings and make sure they aren't worn out.
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Dallas USA
hard hitting front wheel
I was able to get all six of my rancho's for $230 and I put them in myself. You might want to ask what shocks he is replacing them with. If you do quite a bit of home maintence, you might want to replace them yourself. Shocks are not that hard to replace at all. Struts on the other hand is a whole different story.
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From: Cincinnati
hard hitting front wheel
OK, now we're talking. Is there a write-up in a tech section somewhere that I can take a look at? Or is Haynes/Chilton easy to follow? Never done it before, but I'd like to think if you got the right tools, you can usually do it yourself. (and I'm assuming any special tools needed could be "borrowed" from Autozone).
Anyone have suggestions of what shocks?
Anyone have suggestions of what shocks?
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From: Gateway to the West
hard hitting front wheel
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 15-Oct-02 AT 09:41 PM (EST)]With shocks, you get what you pay for. So as far as the price of the shocks themselves, thats a personal preference (or budget). So the cost of installation depends on how willing you are to remove six bolts and eight nuts (eight and twelve respectively if you have dual fronts) and replace them again. Haynes or Chilton's should be well versed in such procedures.
Oh, and YES! Check the raduis arm bushings! They are a bit more complicated to replace if they are bad but well worth it for the sake of the ride and tire wear.
Oh, and YES! Check the raduis arm bushings! They are a bit more complicated to replace if they are bad but well worth it for the sake of the ride and tire wear.
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hard hitting front wheel
If your truck is stock purchase some name brand gas shocks. You could go with a offroad type of shock even if you do not have a lift like rancho or eldelbrock etc. Greystreak is correct you get what you pay for so spend some of that installation money you are goiung to save and buy some good shocks. As for as installation all you need is a decent socket set and ratchet it is simply a matter of taking a nut and bolt apart. You do not need special tools. The hardest part might be getting the bolts off the nuts if they are rusty or the threads are damaged. Your front shocks have a little difference then the rear, on the top of the shock your nut bolts onto the shock itself.
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