Pops and cracks in front end

[Skandocious]

Pro-Comp 82-96 Ford F150 & Bronco IFS Stage I Suspension System.

I've got the installation manual that came with the kit (the PO was borderline whack-job about saving ALL paperwork--great for me). The parts list shows radius arm drop brackets and tons of related nuts and bolts, but makes no mention of bushing

I suppose it's time to check those.

 

[Skandocious]

It also doesn't appear as if the kit came with pivot arm bushing either. How often do those go bad?

 

[TexasNomad]

Hey Chis could it be your steering stabilizer?

 

[LEB Ben]

Pro-Comp 82-96 Ford F150 & Bronco IFS Stage I Suspension System.

I've got the installation manual that came with the kit (the PO was borderline whack-job about saving ALL paperwork--great for me). The parts list shows radius arm drop brackets and tons of related nuts and bolts, but makes no mention of bushing

I suppose it's time to check those.

It also doesn't appear as if the kit came with pivot arm bushing either. How often do those go bad?

I'd say it's definitely time for a swap then...have fun with that one. It's a helluva job. As for lifespan, I usually follow the 100k rule.

Hey Chis could it be your steering stabilizer?

A shock (essentially) causing popping and cracking? Never heard of this before...please explain

 

[Skandocious]

Hey Chis could it be your steering stabilizer?

Crap maybe you're right! My steering stabilizer is gone! Wait I never had one

 

[TexasNomad]

Oh.. Sorry, I thought you did..

 

[blacksnapon]

Look where your steering box bolts up to the frame. At times, cracks can develop causing these noises (especially when turning). Look at all the crossmember rivets too. There will be obvious marks if any rivets are loose.

 

[Skandocious]

Look where your steering box bolts up to the frame. At times, cracks can develop causing these noises (especially when turning). Look at all the crossmember rivets too. There will be obvious marks if any rivets are loose.

Good advice, thanks Vince.

 

[surewhynot]

On my 94, I had to weld all of the crossmembers. Every damn rivet had loosened up over the years.

 

[O'Rattlecan]

Wow I hadn't even thought of that. Have you looked at yours yet Chris?

Ryan

 

[Skandocious]

Thought of what? Crossmember rivets? I haven't looked very closely but I've been under my truck enough times that I woulda thought I'd have noticed something was off. I'm gonna look closer next weekend.

 

[O'Rattlecan]

The crossmember issue. It never even occured to me that they'd break loose.

Ryan

 

[surewhynot]

Mine wasn't very obvious until I started looking for it. At the edges of the cross members, I could see tiny marks, just enough movement to make the popping noises I was having.

 

[Late Model Man]

Yeah chris, this one's a lot better than the UC one, I'll see if I can post up a pic of that loose rivet I found, It was oblately obvious looking at it but I had been searching for the cause of that clunk forever so maybe it's not quite that obvious.

I think I'll lay some really small tack welds along some of the riveted areas and so for a drive and slam on the brakes while turning. If the clunk goes away or the tack's break I found my answer. Bolts!

 

[Skandocious]

Good luck. Let me know what you find.

 

[Late Model Man]

Found it:

 

[Skandocious]

HAH! Did you throw a weld on it? Fix it?

 

[Late Model Man]

Nope! that's the beauty of having 2 cars. I'm driving the integra till I put the stereo back in the bronco. Then I'll tack it up and go for a drive.

 

[Skandocious]

Ghey. Tack it and tell me if it fixes the damned problem you lazy turd.

 

[O'Rattlecan]

I haven't been with my truck in the daylight since the weekend, so I haven't been able to tell. Tell us if it fixed it!

Ryan