Another Bronco Lean Question

[norm02]

Ahh, ok good.

But in doing this did you also remember to remove the front-most bolt holding the lower spring cup in place? If not then the cap can't fully release. There might also be a lot of stress on that bolt due to the bushings and the weight of the vehicle pushing it forward.

May not be enough to damage the bolt, but it still needs to be loosened to get the job done.



The measurements look fairly close? Almost 7 on the passenger side and what, about a 1/4" or so less than that on the driver's?



Paul

I didn’t know that I needed to loosen the spring cup bolt so I didn’t touch it. I loosened all of the bolts and re-torqued them 5 times. It’s now within an 1/8-1/4 of an inch so I’m ok with it the way it sits for the time being but the passenger side bushing bothers me a little.

I will probably take it apart again at some point but for now I’m going to drive it some and enjoy having it back home.

Yesterday

Today after playing with it for 4.5hrs

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[DirtDonk]

Hey, if it works for you, it works for us!

Congrats on fixing it in five minutes.
Or whatever it took...

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

Are you ever going to answer our questions though?
WHAT DEGREE C-BUSHINGS DID YOU CHOOSE!

Thanks;D

Paul

 

[blubuckaroo]

Just got home and this is the first thing I’ve noticed...
Top one is the passenger front:

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Is that "C" bushing in the first photo still in one piece?
I've never seen one do that.
I wonder if it was because of the lube. It just sorta squirted the bushing out!
I've never used any lube when assembling mine.

 

[norm02]

Hey, if it works for you, it works for us!

Congrats on fixing it in five minutes.
Or whatever it took...

Paul

I wish it was 5 minutes.... More like 4.5hrs! They were 2* bushings


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[DirtDonk]

Is that "C" bushing in the first photo still in one piece?
I've never seen one do that.
I wonder if it was because of the lube. It just sorta squirted the bushing out!
I've never used any lube when assembling mine.

I think they just make them with too much material these days. Almost like the molds are getting worn and allowing too much urethane to become bushing material. That or someone just screwed up the dimensions on the latest batch of molds.
Whatever the reason, more and more are doing it these days. Kind of cheesy in my opinion, but it doesn't actually seem to hurt anything. Bushing or otherwise.
That tight fit sure would increase any effect that they have on the torsion bar aspect though! Less likely to be able to move around and "self-level" if you will. Once those puppies are locked in by the cap, they're not likely to flex around in there.
I think too, that this is what has made the use of lubrication even more important than ever.

Just guesses though. Not a polyurethane dynamicist by any stretch. And didn't sleep on it in a Holiday Inn Express either.;D

Paul

 

[AZ73]

Nice job! I can almost guarantee the shop didn't make sure the arms were off the frame and maintain level when they were tightening them.

 

[norm02]

Nice job! I can almost guarantee the shop didn't make sure the arms were off the frame and maintain level when they were tightening them.

I think you’re correct on that. It’s still not as level as it was when I dropped it off but it’s better than it was. May still have to take it apart and re-check everything but I can see an improvement after messing with it yesterday.




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[Crush]

Sometimes it takes many trial errors with these old broncs and on many different things. Not just the lean. Lol

 

[blubuckaroo]

Sometimes it takes many trial errors with these old broncs and on many different things. Not just the lean. Lol

You're sure right there!
I've got boxes of new parts for planned mods. My car drives great now so I'm gonna have to grow some courage to start changing stuff.
You know how it goes.
You start out changing one thing and it takes two more things to make it work right.

 

[Crush]

aint that the truth^^^^^^

 

[norm02]

I took these pictures this morning when I got to work and now I’m questioning whether or not my efforts the other day helped at all. It’s still leaning pretty bad to the driver side so I guess I’ll be playing with it more this weekend.

I’m tempted to go ahead and order the 2.5” lift that I’ve had my eye on and then start all over with new everything since I know my springs have sagged some. Maybe it makes more sense to just lift it now since I may have to take the front end completely back apart anyway.

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[mpboxer]

Sorry to see that. I truly believe some C-bushings are formed unevenly and no matter how you tighten them you'll have similar results. It's still unclear whether yours were installed correctly if I'm remembering right though. Thank you for updating this thread in detail. If they are installed correctly, I'm interested to see if new C-bushings will do the trick, whether you decide to lift or not.

 

[norm02]

Sorry to see that. I truly believe some C-bushings are formed unevenly and no matter how you tighten them you'll have similar results. It's still unclear whether yours were installed correctly if I'm remembering right though. Thank you for updating this thread in detail. If they are installed correctly, I'm interested to see if new C-bushings will do the trick, whether you decide to lift or not.

It’s very frustrating and I think the only way I’ll know for sure if they were installed properly will be take the front end back apart and start over. I know it’s not a big deal to do that but I’m thinking it might be more time efficient to install a lift to fix my sagging springs and then install the required C-Bushings while I’m in there and it’s all apart.


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[mpboxer]

It’s very frustrating and I think the only way I’ll know for sure if they were installed properly will be take the front end back apart and start over. I know it’s not a big deal to do that but I’m thinking it might be more time efficient to install a lift to fix my sagging springs and then install the required C-Bushings while I’m in there and it’s all apart.


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I know how you feel! I installed new stock height WH suspension and bushings and I have a slight lean too. I took my front end apart three times, verifying I installed them correctly, swapping coils from left to right, etc. I also tried torquing the C-caps every which way and my arms came within 1/8 inch of each other and there is still a one inch lean front and back. I personally think it's their new leaf pack. When I take the weight off the back end, what do you know the front levels out. I'm giving it some time for my leafs to break in because they're still 2.5" high also. I also might try swapping my rear leafs side to side to see if that helps. That will make taking the rear apart several times too because I had to add their degrees shims for the extra height in the rear haha. There's always something with these old trucks and you have to know that going into it.

 

[Crush]

one other thing that may be contributing to the leaned look from the rear. it appears as though the between the bumper and the tailgate and the bumper and the drivers side tailight is closer than it is on the passenger side. check the drivers side body bushing and the mount on the body above it that is in the c channel running along the back of the bed. mine gave out there and had to rebuild it so my bed would sit level. thats not gonna cure all of the lean but will take some out of the rear. Also you might want to check all the body mounts just to be sure.

PS the front looks level to the bumper so prolly not an issue there. and if you really are thinking of getting the lift you have been eyeballing then go ahead and spent $100 extra and get the WildHorses body bushing kit with the built in 1" lift. you will really appreciate the extra room it gives for general maintenance and if you wanna upgrade other things later

can you say "SNOWBALL EFFECT"

 

[jim3326]

And since you have the body bolts out replacing the bushings, may as well do a frame-off!

 

[Crush]

^^^^^^gew funny guy^^^^^

 

[AZ73]

The only labor you save by changing the suspension is the Front Springs, and those are easy to replace. I would swap the front springs from side to side first. Don't even bolt them up, and see what happens to the lean. If it's still leaning on the DS, then take the front apart and put it together again and see what happens. If is still leans then swap in the new springs. Unless, of course, you're set on a 2.5 inch lift already.

 

[daron.pisciotta]

I am having the same problem with the Bronco lean like explained in this string. I know I am late to the conversation, but I have used all of your input to try and fix this issue. New, C Bushings are all installed correctly, new springs (3 1/2 lift) are good, and I have installed and reinstalled the connections at least 15 times tonight and it still comes up 3" off. Any new advise I would accept.