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4* or 7* c bushings

eb-nutt1

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Joined
Apr 17, 2006
Messages
632
Performing a drivetrain down rebuild on a 69 half cab...finishing up a disc brake 44 for the front to install...installing a 2.5" lift, should I install the 4* c bushings that come with the kit or order a set of 7* bushings to get more caster? All past eb's had 3.5" or better lifts with 7* bushings and drove fine, but wondering where I need to be on the 2.5" lift.

Brian
 

m_m70

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Jun 14, 2001
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Loc.
Pacifica, CA
I'm running 2.5" lift with 7* bushings with no problems. Would help to know what your castor was originally though.....
 

Apogee

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Nov 26, 2005
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I would run the 7° bushings if your front pinion angle can tolerate it and assuming that you have power steering. If your pinion angle can't tolerate it at full droop, then I'd consider sticking with the 7° bushings and running an offset u-joint since it's the front.

If you're running manual steering, then the 4° bushings may be a better choice, but if my '77 was any indication, you might end up with relatively low caster numbers at that point. I've been told the '76/'77 had more caster from the factory, however that has not seemed to match my experience.

Do you still have some old bushings you can use for mockup so that you can check your angles before committing one way or the other?
 

DirtDonk

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Nov 3, 2003
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First off, do you know what year your front and 44 is? And since it's out and being built why don't you take this opportunity to cut and turn the steering yokes and just use 2 degree bushings instead?
 
OP
OP
E

eb-nutt1

Sr. Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2006
Messages
632
First off, do you know what year your front and 44 is? And since it's out and being built why don't you take this opportunity to cut and turn the steering yokes and just use 2 degree bushings instead?

Front end is probably a 72-5, was originally drum brake, bought it already pulled out, along with another drum brake 44 and bunch of other parts....I wouldn't think it would be necessary to cut/rotate the C's for a 2.5" lift, I have been wrong before though..
 

Rustytruck

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Feb 24, 2002
Messages
10,875
with my 1974 Bronco 2.5" lift and 4 degree bushings got me to 2 degrees positive. but my truck is very stable at this measurement with 33" tires. had to change the trac bar bushings twice in 40 years. I only have a trac bar drop bracket nothing else changed in the power steering end of things.
 

DirtDonk

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Front end is probably a 72-5, was originally drum brake

Then it's a safe bet that you will want the 7 degree bushings even with a 2.5" lift. Not that they're an absolute necessity, as Rustrytruck mentioned some Broncos drive really well on minimum caster. My '71 also has just barely 2 degres (1.75° on one side) and drives like a dream.
But not all do...

There are a few that have decent caster from the factory, but those are flukes rather than the norm. It was not until '76 that we started to see better caster angles from the factory. And even then, not all had enough caster and needed more bushing or some modifications.

The problem already mentioned is not all EB front ends can handle the 7 degree bushings without getting very near their travel limit with the front u-joint. Most are fine, but here again, not everyone is so lucky. That's why it's nice to know what the caster is before deciding which bushings.

I wouldn't think it would be necessary to cut/rotate the C's for a 2.5" lift, I have been wrong before though..

In most cases, probably not. But it is sometimes, and is still really the only way to get good caster numbers and maintain a good pinion/u-joint angle.
Not a big deal on the street, but some still get put in 4wd now and then.

Can you explain? Never heard of this and curious. I have a 77 with manual steering and also considering 2.5-3.5" lift

Because you have a '77 it's a good bet that your caster is decent and you can keep it down to a 4 degree bushing. But it's really good to know where you're starting from, so maybe sometime before you do the lift you can get it on an alignment rack and get a printout to work from.
Some shops will only charge a minimum since all you want is a readout and maybe a toe-in adjustment if needed. But definitely get the printout on paper. If their printer is not working then get a screen shot so you have a reference point.
Then you can choose which bushings to use.

But the whole "cutting-n-turning" thing is when you are able to rotate the steering yokes (or "outer C's" as most call them nowadays) so you can keep the u-joint angle at a minimum near the factory setting, and dial-in the exact amount of caster you want with no limit.
It's more work, but not as bad as it sounds at first. The weld holding the yoke casting on to the end of the axle tube is ground off, the yoke turned, then re-welded in place.
The "steering yoke" is the bit at the very end of the tube that the ball joints on the knuckles attach to, and where the assembly actually pivots when steering.

When these things were built originally they all had manual steering until '73 and more positive caster makes it harder to steer. So they not only used the minimum specified by Ford, but it seems like they often got away with even less. Back then nobody noticed with small bias-ply tires, stock suspension heights and manual steering. They handled about as well as a person back then would have expected a utility truck to handle.
Nowadays we have different expectations and just can't leave well enough alone sometimes!;D

Paul
 

Prizefighter

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Feb 24, 2010
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Thank you for that explanation! Valuable and in-depth as always. I was googling Bronco steering yokes but nothing was coming up! Outter C's is what I called them so good to know. Okay, makes sense - I've seen it done in build threads and on an axle retube video on YouTube.
 

papy

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Jun 13, 2012
Messages
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First off, do you know what year your front and 44 is? And since it's out and being built why don't you take this opportunity to cut and turn the steering yokes and just use 2 degree bushings instead?

don't mean to rob the thread but what do you mean by cut and turn the yokes?
 

papy

Contributor
Sr. Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2012
Messages
825
First off, do you know what year your front and 44 is? And since it's out and being built why don't you take this opportunity to cut and turn the steering yokes and just use 2 degree bushings instead?

never mind should have read the while post - my bad

thanks
 
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