Suspension Installation Guide/Tips

[ripper72]

I should be getting my 5-1/2" WH lift in today. I would rather put it in myself than pay to have it done. However, I want to make sure I get it right the first time. Does anyone know where I can find a set of comprehensive install instructions as well as tips for an install of this sort?

 

[SteveL]

It's pretty simple. Unbolt old springs and bolt new ones back in. Just make sure the bronco iis safely supported incase you need violence to get some of the old bolts and bushings off. You can probably find more tips in the tech section. Take the steering linkage completely off the front end.. I makes life easier. bolt the radius arms on the front end so they are even befor installing it back on to prevent bronco lean. BC has how to do that on their site.

 

[astark]

Read this now rather than later.

http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/tech_faqs_bronco_lean.asp

 

[70_Steve]

Does anyone know where I can find a set of comprehensive install instructions as well as tips for an install of this sort?

Congrats on the new toys!!!

Don't think I've ever seen a comprehensive set of instructions for this. Maybe you could take lots of pics, and do a Tech Article. It really is pretty self-explainatory. Take the old parts off. Replace with the new parts. There are some tips to make things a little easier.

1. Support the Bronco by the frame, right behind the bumper. I used standard jack stands, and got a little extra height by stacking 4 or 5 18" lengths of 2x12 under the jack stands. See the pic below.
2. Support the front differental with a floor jack and remove the wheels.
3. Unbolt and remove track bar and drag link. To remove the drag link from the pitman arm, I use the 2 BFH method. Place one BFH firmly against one side of the pitman arm, at the drag link. Firmly smack the othe side of the pitman arm with the other BFH. A couple good smacks and the drag link will pop right out.
4. Remove shocks.
5. Remove coil springs and their retainers. Might be easier to remove the upper coil spring retainer (the strap at the top of the coil bucket) first.
6. Remove the rear radius arm frame mount nut and associated hardware, and pull the differential forward far enough for the radius arms to clear the frame mounts, but not far enough to snap the brake line. (You still have the differential on the floor jack, right?)
7. Unbolt the radius arm caps and remove the radius arms from the differental.

Pretty much put it back together the opposite of the way you took it apart. Some tips for putting it back together:

Read and understand the Bronco Lean article at the link already posted. Clean the inside of the radius arms and caps, and the axle wedges. Lubricate the c-bushings. This will all aid in getting the c-bushings to seat properly and avoid the Bronco Lean.

To install the front coil springs, put the lower spring bucket and lower retainer in place, and start the two bolts two or three turns. Then place the coil spring overtop the retainer, and "screw" the coil spring into position. Tighten up a bunch on the two bolts, but not all the way. Raise the differential so the spring is in position at the top of the coil bucket. Install the top coil spring retainer. There's a Tech Article on installing this retainer. http://classicbroncos.com/springretainers.shtml . Then finish tightening the bottom two bolts.