Suspension Suspicions

[dhusmann]

I have a 93 Bronco with the Towing Package. I just put on a 2" Skyjacker lift with Add-a-Leaf in the rear. Then, I put on some 33x12.50R15 BFG AT/KO's. I read that I needed to use special adjustable camber/caster shims with this set-up, so I bought some from Skyjacker and had the tire shop do my alignment. Well, I don't think it was done right, even though it drives straight and doesn't shimmy. For one, he didn't use the adjustable shim on the driver's side. For two, I now have camber (top of tire out compared to bottom) in both my front tires, worse on the driver's side. My previous set-up was stock except for Bilstein shocks and poly bushings, and the tires sat parallel/straight. My last set of tires wore very well for over 45,000 miles. I have a feeling my $700+ worth of rubber are going to wear fast and hard. The shop of course said they did it right and will guarantee their work for six months, but I'm moving in 3 months and I really don't want these new tires to start off on the wrong footing. Please help. (Sorry for being wordy, but no English teacher has ever been able to beat it out of me.)

So, some specific questions:

Are the tires supposed to be parallel or top out a little at rest on this suspension?

Also, what is the definitive measuring point for elevation/lift on front end and back end (ie, center of wheel well vs. axle to frame distance vs. center of bumper vs. other)?

And, at rest, no load, how much higher is the rear supposed to be than the front (if I am planning on doing some light to medium towing every once in a while)?

 

[Justshootme84]

My advice would be to go right back to the shop and have the alignment checked after driving around town. IF the tire on one side is leaning in or out, have the balljoint checked as well as the camber bushing. I would be curious to know why they replaced one side's bushing but not the other???

IF your stock camber bushings are offset, that is, the hole is off to one side and not centered, you may have a difficult time getting the proper alignment with the 2" leveling coils. The replacement adjustable bushings are designed to help with that problem.

Except for slight "toe-in" the tires should be parallel, like this l...l

Not sure about your next question, but any additional lift is normally the extra length of the coil springs for the front or lift blocks for the rear. Depending on condition of the suspension, engine size/weight, the amount of lift you get will vary slightly.

The "rake" of the Bronco is normally higher in the rear by about 2". The leveling coils should raise the front enought to be the same height as the rear, where the bumpers appear to be the same height above the ground. If you add weight to the rear cargo area or hook up a trailer, the rear will of course sag down.

 

[dhusmann]

JSM84,

Thanks so much for your help. In reading through this website over the past several weeks, I have noticed that you reply to a lot of questions with good, solid advice, expertice, and experience, and I appreciate it very much.

I actually took it to another shop to have them check it for me, and it was way off! How it still drives straight and smooth, I don't know, except that I have poly bushings, good shocks, etc. They also found that one of my ball joints is no good. I am a bit frustrated with the tire shop, but I think I will give them the opportunity to fix it. We'll see.

 

[Justshootme84]

Good Luck with that shop!!! Being a Texan, I don't take any bull. If a shop doesn't do what I expect, they don't get any further business from me or anyone I talk to. If you work as hard as I do for every dollar, you want the best service. It does take some seaching to find a shop that won't 'take you to the cleaners', and sometimes you have to bite the bullet.

The Ford TTB suspension is a stepchild to many folks, but there are a few places that can work on these and tell you what to expect from a lift or even normal wear on the stock parts. My advice would be to talk to the store/shop manager to get a feel of their knowledge about your Bronco. The dude making $6.00/hr may not have a clue about what to work on, and only goes by the book on the labor fee.

The TTB (Twin Traction Beam) also needs frequent adjustment, especially if you offroad at all. The alignment can be changed just by hitting a bump or pothole, and some parts wear out within 20K miles. IF you find a good shop with a lifetime alignment warranty, they are usually better than the others.

I've been an avid 4wheeler and Ford fanatic for 25+ years with some family members that are Ford mechanics. I'm just returning the favor to these forums since I've found so much useful help from everyone!!! Learn as much as you can about the Bronco and pass it along, we need to keep them rolling!!!

 

[Broncoholics]

For some reason I can't see the below replys so I'll wing it.

When you lift a Bronco with TTb axles you will notice the center where it pivots is now higher instead of straight. This is causing the suspension and spindles to head down hill. This is why the tire is out at the top. You should get a drop bracket for the center of the TTB to lower it but I think the shims you have should take up 90% as 2" isn't enough to worry about. The drop bracket is usually for lifts 4"+ to level out the axle. The problem not having the drop bracket is the suspension will loose articulation since its already dropped a ways. You will notice the axle shaft going into the carrier at a strange angle. You can only flex a TTB axle so far. I used the ball joint shims but I used the 1" leveling coil so it did the trick. In fact I got it close enough with a square and tape measure to drive well enough. Never wore out my tires. You should try adding the shim yourself and have the thick end on the inside top and outside bottom. Then have it aligned by someone else for $40.

 

[wtfdissux]

hate to say this but firestone offers a lifetime warranty alignment for about 120 worth it with these trucks

no i dont work for them but the garage i work for only offers a year so i didnt mind going to the" compatition" and spending vs. doing it my self it was nice to see some othe tech battle my beast for a change

 

[bluesman17]

ive never heard of a lifetime warrenty on an alignment, is this like the brakes where it doesnt really apply to wearing out but only if the pad comes off the metal or something like that?

 

[wtfdissux]

nope it is double the price of a reg align but with a lifetime instead of 12 mos.