wandering front
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2008
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wandering front
I have a 92 Bronco and the front end wanders a bit. It has leveling springs on the front. Firesotone Destination A/T,s with 30% tread left. The truck has over 200,000 miles on it. I was tolled the alignment is good and it has a new stearing box. I do notice some possitive camber. Does anyone have some suggestions were to start to fix this problem
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 757
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From: Nikiski Alaska
Check your pivot bushings in both axels, where the conect to the frame, and your radius arm bushing, the long arme conecting to your axles. and lay under the front of yourtruck with the tires straight and have some one wiggle the steering wheel back and forth looking for loose tie rod ends. Then fianally jack up one side at a time and using a board or long handle try lifting the tire up and down looking for your balljoints to move if they do you need new ones. the baljoints are where your tires and spindles pivot at. Let us know what you find. Was the stearing box adjusted? Jay
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Longview, TX
If it turns out to be in the steering box I can save you some repeated headaches. The one I got from Red-Head Steering Gear in Seattle is absolutely fantastic. Yes, they ship and take a core in return when yours is off. Don't adjust the new one, once it breaks in it is perfect.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
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From: Gateway to the West
Check the red link in my signature. The front end suspension components include as many as 16 different movement points all of which have rubber bushings that will eventually wear out (especially at 200K on the ticker).
2 - radius arm bushings
2 - axle pivot bushings
2 - upper ball joints
2 - lower ball joints
2 - sway bar bushings (plus two sets of end link bushings)
2 - shock absorbers (each with an upper and lower bushings) (quad shock front ends double this number).
2 - inner tie rod ends
2 - outer tie rod ends
I'd almost be willing to put even money on one or more of these components being the problem child in this case.
2 - radius arm bushings
2 - axle pivot bushings
2 - upper ball joints
2 - lower ball joints
2 - sway bar bushings (plus two sets of end link bushings)
2 - shock absorbers (each with an upper and lower bushings) (quad shock front ends double this number).
2 - inner tie rod ends
2 - outer tie rod ends
I'd almost be willing to put even money on one or more of these components being the problem child in this case.
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2008
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Well I finally got the original axle pivot bushings replaced and the truck is back on the road after fixing some electrical issues. I notice that it pulls to the left now, so the alignment is off, but I still have more play in the steering than I would prefer. I had my wife turn the steering wheel while I was under the truck and didn't notice any slop any place. The old bushings were bad. The radius arm bushings are next to be replaced. I might check the rear suspension, I've noticed some popping noises when I go over large bumps or back over any bumps. Thanks for the input. Sorry it took so long for an update.
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Joined: May 2003
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I need to replace my axle pivot bushings and wonder if somebody has written a step-by-step. The writeup in the Haynes is, in a word, scary, as it makes it out to be a 12 hour job. I have caught other posts which say it's a snap but don't provide much detail. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Longview, TX
Red-Head Steering Gears, Seattle WA - Red-Head Steering Gears Home again, if the steering box gives slack in the wheel.