Still searching for that cherry Bronco for the right price, not an easy task!

Any way, drove a few more this week end. Got excited about a 1995 until I drove it. Seems all that I have driven, the front end is some what sloppy, some more than others, is this normal? This 95 (5.0)seemed to have some issues with the tranny, did not shift smoothly and banging into gears, had 115K miles also needed a fuel pump and the PCV valve was chattering and vibrating like crazy (what would cause that).

This week I hope to view a 1988 w/109K (5.0) said to be in good shape, well you know how that goes. Also a 1989 orig owner with 83K miles (says not rolled) you know about that on too. Keep you posted.

 

I just went through the entire front end of my Bronco last fall. The Bronco drives and steers much better now, but still seems quite sloppy compared to our Expy. They have completely different steering setups, and the difference is quite noticeable. I think it's all what you are used to driving and comparing the steering and suspension to.

 

I've got a 92 XLT, and i've just done a bunch of work on the front end: upper/lower ball joints, radius arm bushings, and tie rod ends, and an alignment. It drives very well now, and the improvements were noticeable to say the least.
From everyone I've talked to, the twin i-beam is a pretty rugged suspension, but when you buy a bronc used like I did, and ten years old, there will more than likely be some worn out parts on that front end. I'm also running on 31 X 10.5 tires, which I believe was a factory option from the 235's that are just plain tiny. If you opt for a bigger tire, it's harder on parts, not to mention when I briefly had 33's on mine, I lost a lot of turning radius and highway acceleration, all of which I got back when i dropped to the tire size I have on there now.
Also, I replaced the transmission range sensor ($45.00 for the part from ford), because the shifting would go from being smooth to just plain slamming it into gear. replacing the tranny sensor has been the most noticable improvement on the truck, though. I'm telling you, it was shifting HARD! Now it's as smooth as silk.
I've still got a problem with the radius arm on the passenger side. When i turn the wheel hard to the left while the truck i parked, it clunks. I got under there and watched it while someone turned the wheel, and it's sort of moving up where it "sandwhiches" the axle. Anyway, it's only noticable when I do that, or when I'm turning while backing up and I hit the brakes. That's when there's this clunk noise. I thought at first it was the radius arm bushings, so I replaced them, but it's not that. Oh well.
good luck.
Dan
92 XLT 5.0

 

Thanks for the front end feed back, here are a few more questions:

Vehical = 1988 302 3/speed auto manual hubs

Is it normal for the rear end to clunk pretty good when going from drive to reverse?

Is is normal for a huge grind/clunk when putting into 4 wheel low/low

302 had knocking and a little noisy at cold start, been sitting for a while.

 

I had a clunking on my bronco from forward to reverse. I replaced the worn out U-Joints on the drive line and it was tons quieter. If that doesn't fix it, your probably looking at a worn out ring and pinion in your rear end. I have always had a clunk when engaging 4 wheel drive, you are in nuetral when doing this, right???

 

Yes, in neutral when putting into low/low. Heard same kind of clunking & grinding with a push button four wheel, not quite as bad though. Almost like it was trying to find the correct position to engage, then a clunk. I guess this is normal.