Axle pivot bushing?
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Axle pivot bushing?
I plan on replacing both Axle Pivot Bushings on my 93 Bronco here very soon. I was looking for a little feedback from the folks that actually had those bushings replaced. My question is: After replacement did you notice a better quality ride and were your bushings shot?
I almost have 200,000 miles on my Bronco and plan on doing alot of work to the suspension both front and rear to help with the poor ride. I think that the first place I will start will be the Axle pivot bushings.
Thanks:
Ronnie
I almost have 200,000 miles on my Bronco and plan on doing alot of work to the suspension both front and rear to help with the poor ride. I think that the first place I will start will be the Axle pivot bushings.
Thanks:
Ronnie
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2003
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There are several items that can cause ill handling.
Ball joints, tierods, sloppy steering box, radius arm bushings, tires.
You should climb underneath and have someone jerk the steering wheel around so you can identify worn parts.
Ball joints will be identified by jacking up front tires, grabbing top and bottom of tire and rock back and forth. Feel and or look for movement. At almost 200K miles chance are more than probable that most of the items mentioned need some attention, if they are original equipment.
Regards,
Ken
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Yeah Ken everything is original equipment except I have replaced the Radius Arm Bushings back 4 years or so ago. I know about all the other parts you described and plan on replacing those also along with the rear springs and shackle bushings. Just curious how much of a role the axle pivot bushing played concerning ride harsness.
Thanks
Thanks
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,998
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From: North Dakota
I replaced mine about a year ago and it made a huge difference. I left the state and my truck sat almost two years on blocks and with the dry heat out here the bushings went bad. I remember taking it off the blocks and hitting the first bump and it was just clunking like crazy. So replacing those helped my ride a bunch.
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When I did a search about "Rough Ride" and there was alot of feedback on replacing shocks, get away from the quad shock set-up and go to a one shock set-up, balljoints replacement, radius arm bushings, new coil springs, new rear leaf springs, leaf spring bushings replacement, rear shackle bushing replacement. Some folks did some of the suggestions above and still they have a jarring ride. I think that these axle pivot bushings are playing a large role in this jaring ride that I have. I know this is a truck but damn my dash is starting to fall off. Thanks for the feedback because the articles I read on the axle pivot bushings really didn't discuss how the ride was improved after the replacement of these bushings.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,998
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From: North Dakota
Well, mine was more clunking then jarring my dash off. I would still as posted previously do an under the truck check. Check the ball joints. If it is hitting that bad it also could be worn out springs. Did it just start doing this out of nowhere or did it build up?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: SE Texas
IF you look at the stock or OEM axle pivot bushings (apb's), the rubber part inside the metal sleeve is very hard. When I replaced mine on the 84 Bronco with new poly's, I had to cut the rubber away from the metal so I could re-use the sleeve. That wasa PITA and took 3-4 hours using a hacksaw and a drill. When the apb's get worn , you'll start to have slack or movement in the ends of the axle beams. This is often heard or felt as a clunk, especially when turning across uneven ground or like pulling into the driveway while crossing the 'dip' that runs along the edge of the road. While we'ere on the subject, I have a good thread on making my own tool to replace the apb's. You can also buy/ rent a balljoint press to do these.
As for the harsh, teeth-jarring ride, I think that's most likely your shocks being junk if they're the originals. Even with the quad dshock set-up, I felt like the Pro Comp ES9000's I installed on the 84 were too soft. they allowed the nose to dive while breaking, and I still had some side-to-side movement onthe road. JSM84
As for the harsh, teeth-jarring ride, I think that's most likely your shocks being junk if they're the originals. Even with the quad dshock set-up, I felt like the Pro Comp ES9000's I installed on the 84 were too soft. they allowed the nose to dive while breaking, and I still had some side-to-side movement onthe road. JSM84
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When I did a search about "Rough Ride" and there was alot of feedback on replacing shocks, get away from the quad shock set-up and go to a one shock set-up, balljoints replacement, radius arm bushings, new coil springs, new rear leaf springs, leaf spring bushings replacement, rear shackle bushing replacement. Some folks did some of the suggestions above and still they have a jarring ride. I think that these axle pivot bushings are playing a large role in this jaring ride that I have. I know this is a truck but damn my dash is starting to fall off. Thanks for the feedback because the articles I read on the axle pivot bushings really didn't discuss how the ride was improved after the replacement of these bushings.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
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From: Near Salt Lake City
I Have replaced the bushings and the pedestals several times on customers trucks over the years
Do it
And make sure the pedestals are tight and in good shape
You will like the ride when done
Do it
And make sure the pedestals are tight and in good shape
You will like the ride when done
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