Bushings: anyway to tell..,,,

[MooseyFate]

If the C bushings are installed upside down, while they're installed? If not, when I pull them, how do I tell I'm installing them properly?

That ends my dumb question of the day. Youre free to resume.

 

[Explorer]

All the aftermarket ones I've put on are marked.

 

[Skiddy]

they will have top and bottom on them. if they are on backwards you will get the lean, don't ask how i know:-[

 

[Broncitis]

You have to pull them to see. They are marked on the inside with "Bottom Rear" and "Top Front".

The lean can just be if they are cocked when installed. If truly backwards it will through your caster out 180* from where you want to be (i.e. instead of adding 4*, you will deduct 4*) which will make for some interesting handling.

 

[MooseyFate]

I'm getting very little caster but running the Duffs 6 something degree bushings & long arms

 

[broncnaz]

look at your pinion angle if its pointed upwards then they may be installed wrong usually when installed right the pinion is angled dowwards especailly if you have the 6-7 degreee bushings

 

[Broncitis]

look at your pinion angle if its pointed upwards then they may be installed wrong usually when installed right the pinion is angled dowwards especailly if you have the 6-7 degreee bushings

???

The pinion should never angle downwards from horizontal and should not even be horizontal. It should point slightly up, somewhat toward the T-case.

 

[MooseyFate]

Definitely not down! But I don't recall the upward angle if any

 

[DirtDonk]

broncnaz is correct. As go the C-bushings (and caster) so goes the pinion. It's hard-wired, so anytime you change the angle of the c-bushings, the pinion will be raised or lowered.
That's why, at some point, c-bushings deliver deminishing returns and put your pinion/u-joint in a bind.
At that point the best way to achieve your desired caster angle and return the pinion to some sense of normalcy, you have to turn the steering yokes.

So the others are correct also. If the c-bushings are on backwards, most of the time you'll know instantly, as it's hard to maintain a straight line! And you can tell by looking at the pinion angle too. That last bit probably takes some more experience with what angles the pinions are at under normal circumstances, but it's do'able.

Paul

 

[broncnaz]

???

The pinion should never angle downwards from horizontal and should not even be horizontal. It should point slightly up, somewhat toward the T-case.

Correct thats what it should be stock but put in C bushing that have more degrees and guess what the pinion angle changes by that amount. most of the guys using 7 degree bushings along with tall lifts end up with pinion angle issues because the pinion is pointing 6 or more degrees down. Put the bushings in backwards and it will point up more than is needed. there's been several photos posted and you can definetly see the pinion pointing down with the bushings installed correctly.

 

[casadejohnson]

they will have top and bottom on them. if they are on backwards you will get the lean, don't ask how i know:-[

And sometimes you put them in correct and still get a lean!

 

[MooseyFate]

It's not the lean I'm concerned with, it's lack of caster. :/

 

[kayakersteve]

At this point I just need to say --- When I hear you guys automatically describing pinion angles with different degree bushing, I come to realize how little I actually know about a vehicle I have owned for almost thiry years. You guys amaze me sometimes.

 

[thomasmatthew]

you guys sound cornfuzed, as the caster angle refers to the position of the ball joints. As the lower balljoint gets rotated behind the upper balljoint the caster becomes more positive hince when you add caster the pinion would have to go up.So if you install the bushings that add caster it can help the truck return to a straight line if you add to much it will ''push'' not enough will cause oversteer.

 

[DirtDonk]

you guys sound cornfuzed, as the caster angle refers to the position of the ball joints.

Yep, got that, but while discussing the movement of the ball-joints as the suspension is modified, or as the c-bushings offset that (or try to), the pinion angle changes as well.
Changing caster in a NEGATIVE direction moves the pinion up. Changing it in a POSITIVE direction moves the pinion down.

As the lower balljoint gets rotated behind the upper balljoint the caster becomes more positive...

Now you're adding confuciousness. I'm guessing you know the correct way, but just typed it wrong. Still, gotta' call you on it to keep everyone clear.
If however, you typed it the way you intended, you're mistaken.
The way you describe is actually more "negative" caster. Lower ball-joint forward of the upper is "positive" caster.

...hince when you add caster the pinion would have to go up.

Maybe, but it depends on what caster you're "adding". Negative or Positive. The pinion rises only if you add NEGATIVE. Adding POSITIVE would bring the pinion down.

Paul

 

[MooseyFate]

 

[BronCowie]

At this point I just need to say --- When I hear you guys automatically describing pinion angles with different degree bushing, I come to realize how little I actually know about a vehicle I have owned for almost thiry years. You guys amaze me sometimes.

Thanks for voicing my very thoughts!