"A" frame?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
"A" frame?
I ran my 06 Ranger FX4 into a ditch after hitting a lot of ice on the freewaydriving way too fast. Guy at the Tire Fix it place said he couldn't align it because I had bent an "A" frame. What is he refering to and what are my fix it options? I am having a Superlift kit installed when I get home and I am wondering if I should get this "A" frame fixed before going to the shop to get my lift put on. Or are there upgrade options I can do in conjunction with the lift work? Thanks for any help anyone can provide.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 681
Likes: 0
From: SE Michigan
It sounds like the shop is talking about an upper control arm on the front suspension that was bent during your accident. The upper control arms kind of look like a capitol letter "A". As long as none of the mount points for the control arm are bent then it would be easy to replace the control arm and get it to align properly. Some lift kits use the stock control arms if it's not a really tall lift. Other kits have upper control arms included with them, so you may need to check the kit you will be getting to see if you need to buy a stock arm or not. When the lift kit is installed they will do an alignment on it to make sure it drives correctly.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,414
Likes: 22
From: Tucson USA
get the frame checked before you do anything! They while not flimsue can be bent easily and not noticeably. Knew a guy that got sidewiped and although it had only hit the tire/wheel, the frame was tweeked and needed to be straightened.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 9
From: So. Cal.
Talk to the guy at the tire place and find out whether he meant the Upper or the Lower Control Arm (your "A-frame"), or get it examined again to be certain. Then buy the part and get it replaced when the lift is installed.
The LCA is removed/replaced as part of the Superlift installation, so no additional labor would be incurred (original LCA is still used, only knuckle is new). The UCA isn't normally removed during the lift installation so that would be extra labor, but would be cheaper to install since everything is apart and easier to get at. Check prices on-line for the upper & lower control arm, they're not expensive, as I recall. Somewhere around $100 or so. Don't know about dealer prices...
The LCA is removed/replaced as part of the Superlift installation, so no additional labor would be incurred (original LCA is still used, only knuckle is new). The UCA isn't normally removed during the lift installation so that would be extra labor, but would be cheaper to install since everything is apart and easier to get at. Check prices on-line for the upper & lower control arm, they're not expensive, as I recall. Somewhere around $100 or so. Don't know about dealer prices...
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Thanks for the help on this gents. I have some other body scrapes and a lot of plastic that needs replaced, so I think I will have the insurance adjuster and Ford fix everything. Then I can go ahead with my lift on a completely clean truck. Really appreciate the input. Thanks again.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 9
From: So. Cal.
Originally Posted by bigtonetucker
Thanks for the help on this gents. I have some other body scrapes and a lot of plastic that needs replaced, so I think I will have the insurance adjuster and Ford fix everything. Then I can go ahead with my lift on a completely clean truck. Really appreciate the input. Thanks again.
