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Car Forum / Ford / Ford Trucks / September 2005

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Full-size Bronco strut bushing

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B Rock - 29 Aug 2005 20:47 GMT
I have a '93 full-size bronco.  Both strut bushings were replaced
about 3 years ago.  Now, the passenger side strut bushing is shot.  I
can't readily explain why.

My question, is this a difficult repair.  I'm sure I own the necessary
tools, including air tools.  Is this something a weekend mechanic
should undertake or should I leave it to the professionals?  I suspect
an alignment will be needed upon completion.

B
Spdloader - 29 Aug 2005 21:22 GMT
Do you mean the radius-arm bushing?

Spdloader

>I have a '93 full-size bronco.  Both strut bushings were replaced
> about 3 years ago.  Now, the passenger side strut bushing is shot.  I
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> B
ajeeperman@comcast.net - 30 Aug 2005 06:59 GMT
put on your glasses before reading posts.
john

Hello, Spdloader!
You wrote  on Mon, 29 Aug 2005 20:22:42 GMT:

S> Spdloader

S> "B Rock" <nesellards@att.net> wrote in message
S> news:hdp6h19493huqvvvlspcvuhbn443goerjf@4ax.com...
??>> I have a '93 full-size bronco.  Both strut bushings were replaced
??>> about 3 years ago.  Now, the passenger side strut bushing is shot.  I
??>> can't readily explain why.
??>>
??>> My question, is this a difficult repair.  I'm sure I own the necessary
??>> tools, including air tools.  Is this something a weekend mechanic
??>> should undertake or should I leave it to the professionals?  I suspect
??>> an alignment will be needed upon completion.
??>>
??>> B

With best regards, ajeeperman@comcast.net.  E-mail: ajeeperman@comcast.net
Spdloader - 30 Aug 2005 13:24 GMT
Broncos don't have struts john.

Spdloader

> put on your glasses before reading posts.
> john
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> With best regards, ajeeperman@comcast.net.  E-mail: ajeeperman@comcast.net
TranSurgeon - 30 Aug 2005 15:17 GMT
bull

the 'brace' that goes from the lower A-frame to the frame is called a strut

> Broncos don't have struts john.
>
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> >
> > With best regards, ajeeperman@comcast.net.  E-mail: ajeeperman@comcast.net
Spdloader - 30 Aug 2005 16:29 GMT
I was speaking of struts as opposed to shocks, and, I was trying to
ascertain if he was talking about the radius arm bushings when he said
"strut".

Spdloader

> bull
>
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
>> > With best regards, ajeeperman@comcast.net.  E-mail:
> ajeeperman@comcast.net
Spdloader - 30 Aug 2005 16:31 GMT
Another question, is what "A" frame are you talking about?

I'm only picturing the front suspension, as it has TTB, and not "A" arms.

Spdloader

> bull
>
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
>> > With best regards, ajeeperman@comcast.net.  E-mail:
> ajeeperman@comcast.net
B Rock - 30 Aug 2005 17:24 GMT
Yes, radius arm bushing.  Sorry.

B

>Do you mean the radius-arm bushing?
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>>
>> B
ajeeperman@comcast.net - 30 Aug 2005 04:53 GMT
you can do it. hard, but not bad.
old john

Hello, B!
You wrote  on Mon, 29 Aug 2005 19:47:59 GMT:

B> My question, is this a difficult repair.  I'm sure I own the necessary
B> tools, including air tools.  Is this something a weekend mechanic
B> should undertake or should I leave it to the professionals?  I suspect
B> an alignment will be needed upon completion.

With best regards, ajeeperman@comcast.net.  E-mail: ajeeperman@comcast.net
lugnut - 30 Aug 2005 13:54 GMT
>I have a '93 full-size bronco.  Both strut bushings were replaced
>about 3 years ago.  Now, the passenger side strut bushing is shot.  I
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
>B

You can do it if you have a good jack and stands to go along
with your air tools.  Do yourself a favor and use the
urathane bushings.  They greatly improve the way the beast
drives by making it tighter.
B Rock - 30 Aug 2005 17:23 GMT
>>I have a '93 full-size bronco.  Both strut bushings were replaced
>>about 3 years ago.  Now, the passenger side strut bushing is shot.  I
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>urathane bushings.  They greatly improve the way the beast
>drives by making it tighter.

Thanks for the input.  I did mean 'radius arm bushing'

B
B Rock - 30 Aug 2005 17:32 GMT
Sorry, I did mean 'radius arm' bushing.

B
Spdloader - 30 Aug 2005 18:03 GMT
If they've been done before, then all you have to do is lock the ebrake,
chock the front wheels, and unbolt the brackets at the frame, replace the
bushings, then re-install using at least grade 5 hardware.

It's an easy job if they've been done before.

If they were only partially done before, or not done at all, you'll need to
remove the factory rivets in the brackets. You can torch 'em, or use an
impact air hammer, or drill, but be careful of the fuel and brake lines
running inside the frame rails.

Using a torch is the fastest, but is the most dangerous, and you run the
risk of causing more damage than you are repairing if you aren't comfortable
or experienced using one.

It's not easy to do if they've never been apart before.

Spdloader

> Sorry, I did mean 'radius arm' bushing.
>
> B
B Rock - 30 Aug 2005 19:53 GMT
>If they've been done before, then all you have to do is lock the ebrake,
>chock the front wheels, and unbolt the brackets at the frame, replace the
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>>
>> B

They've been done before.  The brackets are bolted on now (no rivets).
You wrote, replace with grade 5 hardware.  Couldn't I simply re-use
the existing hardware?

B
Spdloader - 30 Aug 2005 20:29 GMT
As long as the existing hardware is good quality and in good condition, then
you should re-use it.

Sounds like you're in good shape to do the repair.

Spdloader

>>If they've been done before, then all you have to do is lock the ebrake,
>>chock the front wheels, and unbolt the brackets at the frame, replace the
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> B
B Rock - 30 Aug 2005 21:25 GMT
>As long as the existing hardware is good quality and in good condition, then
>you should re-use it.
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
>>
>> B

Thank you.

B
Spdloader - 30 Aug 2005 21:35 GMT
You're welcome, hope it turns out fine.

Spdloader

>>As long as the existing hardware is good quality and in good condition,
>>then
[quoted text clipped - 39 lines]
>
> B
Matt Macchiarolo - 01 Sep 2005 03:20 GMT
Also be careful when removing the shocks..when I had my Club Wagon shocks
replaced a few years ago, the doofus at the shop ripped off the shock mount
stud on the radius arm. Instead of just replacing the arm (which was
something like a $65 part) he tried drilling out the stud and use a bolt. A
week later I was back in the shop with a dangling shock. So then he tried
welding a bolt to the arm. Three days later I was back in. He then said
"Well, I didn't want to spend the money on the new arm but I guess I'll have
to now." This after using probably over $150 of his boss's shop time trying
to fix his lameness.

It gets better...I asked the shop owner's wife, who had been great and was
actually very apologetic, to go ahead and replace the bushing too, of course
I would pay for that. She quoted me a set of aftermarket bushings for $70. I
said no thanks, a factory part is about $20 and since we only need one
bushing, just order it with the new arm.

Well they went ahead and put in the aftermarket bushing and tried to charge
me for the whole set. I said I didn't authorize his bushings, but a factory
one. She told me "OK, then, I'll take the new one out and put in the old." I
said fine by me. The owner then called me and said "No, I've already spent
way too much time on this. Do you work for free?" I told him when me or my
my staff screws up, sometimes I have to work for free to save the customer
and make it right. He said , "Just pay me for the one bushing at $35." I
said "I'll pay you for one factory bushing, $20." He told me "Blow it out
your ear and come get your damn van," then hung up. When I got the van home
I noticed they neglected to re-attach the sway bar, it was hanging by one
bolt. Fixed that myself.

If anyone is interested, this was at Mr. Muffler in on Maple Road in Walled
Lake, MI about 5 years ago. I tried to throw as much business his way
because his neice was an employee of mine when I had a store in Walled Lake,
but she was off in college or something when this stuff happened. I guess no
good deed goes unpunished, eh?

> If they've been done before, then all you have to do is lock the ebrake,
> chock the front wheels, and unbolt the brackets at the frame, replace the
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>>
>> B
 
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