Suspension - Front (4wd Coil) Ford Bronco II I

DESCRIPTION

Independent front suspension consists of a 2-piece front driving axle assembly, 2 coil springs and 2 radius arms. Front driving axle consists of 2 independent axle arm assemblies. One end of each axle arm assembly is anchored to the frame. The other end of each axle arm assembly is supported by coil spring and radius arm. Hydraulic shock absorbers are direct, double-acting type.

Note. For additional information on 4WD drive axles see appropriate article in DRIVE AXLE section.

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES

See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES in WHEEL ALIGNMENT section.

Front Wheel Bearing Adjustment Bronco ll & Ranger (Automatic Locking Hubs)

1. Raise vehicle and install safety stands. Remove wheel lug nuts and remove wheel and tire assembly. Remove retainer washers from lug nut studs and remove automatic locking hub assembly from spindle.
2. Remove snap ring from end of spindle shaft. Remove axle shaft spacer, needle thrust bearing and bearing spacer. Being careful not to damage plastic moving cam, pull cam assembly off wheel bearing adjusting nut and remove thrust washer and needle thrust bearing from adjusting nut.

Note. To prevent damage to spindle threads, look into spindle keyway under adjusting nut hole and remove any portion of locking key that has been separated from cam assembly before removing adjusting nut. If this condition exists, do not re-use. Discard entire cam assembly and replace with Service Kit (1A053).

Scheme 4

Scheme 5

BALL JOINT CHECKING

Raise vehicle. Adjust wheel bearings. Hold wheel and shake in and out while watching front spindle. Spindle must not move more than 1/32" at the upper or lower arms, relative to the axle. If worn beyond limit, replace ball joints.

Removal & Installation

Remove nut and washer holding shock absorber to upper spring seat. Remove bolt and nut from lower bracket retaining shock absorber to radius arm. Slide shock out of lower bracket. Compress shock and remove. Extend shock absorber through spring seat. Install washer and nut and tighten. Reverse removal procedure to complete installation.

Removal & Installation (Bronco & F150)

Remove self-locking nut, steel washer and rubber bushings from upper end of shock absorbers. Remove self-locking nut from lower end of shocks. Remove shock absorbers. Replace rubber bushings when replacing shock absorbers. Place shock absorbers on mounting brackets with large diameter on top. Install bushings, steel washers and self-locking nuts and tighten.

Removal (Bronco II & Ranger)

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove caliper. Remove hub locks, wheel bearings and lock nuts. Remove hub and rotor. Remove outer wheel bearing cone.
2. Remove grease seal from rotor with Seal Remover (T50T-100-A). Discard seal. Remove inner wheel bearing. Remove inner and outer bearing cups from rotor.
3. Remove nuts holding tie rod to spindle. Tap spindle with plastic hammer to jar tie rod from spindle. Remove splash shield.
4. On vehicle right side, remove shaft and joint assembly by pulling assembly out of carrier. On right side of carrier, remove and discard keystone clamp from shaft and joint assembly and stub shaft.
5. Slide rubber boot onto stub shaft and pull shaft and joint assembly from splines of stub shaft. Wrap spindle in protective cloth and place second step of spindle in vise.
6. Remove oil seal and needle bearing from spindle. If necessary, remove seal from shaft by driving off with a hammer.

Installation

1. Place bearing in bore with manufacturer identification facing outward. Drive bearing into bore. Install grease seal in bearing bore with lip side of seal facing upwards. Coat bearing seal lip with multipurpose grease.
2. If removed, install new shaft seal. On right side of carrier, install rubber boot and new keystone clamps on stub shaft slip shaft.
3. To assemble right shaft and joint into slip yoke, align wide spline in slip yoke barrel with gap on shaft and joint assembly.
4. Slide right shaft and joint into slip yoke. Ensure splines are fully engaged. Slide boot over assembly and tighten keystone clamp.
5. On left side of carrier, slide shaft and joint assembly through spindle and engage splines. Tighten spindle nuts. To complete spindle installation, reverse removal procedure.

1. Remove spindle nuts and spindle. It may be necessary to tap spindle with rawhide or plastic hammer to break spindle loose. Remove spindle, splash shield and axle shaft.
2. Remove seal at top of needle bearing. Place spindle in vise on the second step of the spindle. Wrap a shop towel around spindle or place in a brass-jawed vise to protect spindle from damage.
3. Using Slide Hammer (D79P-100-A), Forcing Screw (D80L-100-B) and Collet (D80L-100-T) 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" from from Blind Hole Puller Set (D80L-100-A), remove needle bearing and seal from spindle bore.
4. Remove cotter pin and nut from tie rod end. Strike steering knuckle to release tie rod end from knuckle. Remove camber adjuster by hand, or use Pitman Arm Puller (T64P-3590-F). NOTE: Mark orientation of camber adjuster for assembly reference.
5. Place spindle in vise and remove snap ring from bottom ball joint socket. Remove plug from "C" Frame (T74P-4635-C) and replace with Plug (T80T-3010-A4).
6. Assemble "C" frame and Receiving Cup (D79P-3010-BG) on upper ball joint and turn forcing screw clockwise until ball joint is removed. Remove bottom ball joint first.
7. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten all bolts and nuts. Replace all self-locking nuts.

1. Remove spindle. If tie rod has not been removed, remove cotter pin from tie rod nut and remove nut. Tap tie rod to free from spindle steering arm.
2. Remove upper ball joint cotter pin and nut. Loosen lower ball joint nut. Strike inside of spindle near upper and lower ball joints to break spindle loose from ball joint studs.
3. Remove camber adjuster sleeve. Use Pitman Arm Puller (T64P-3590-F), if necessary. Place spindle in vise and remove snap ring from bottom ball joint socket.
4. Assemble "C" Frame (T74P-5635-C), Forcing Screw (D79T-3010-B) and Ball Joint Remover (T83T-3050-A) on lower ball joint. Turn forcing screw clockwise until lower ball joint is removed from spindle.
5. Repeat step 4) to remove upper ball joint. Turn forcing screw clockwise until upper ball joint is removed from spindle.
6. To install ball joint, reverse removal procedure. Always install lower ball joint first. Lower ball joint does not have a cotter pin hole in the stud.
7. Install camber adjuster on top ball joint stud with arrow pointing outward for positive camber and pointing inward for negative camber.
8. Zero camber bushings will not have an arrow and may be rotated in either direction as long as lugs on yoke engage slots in bushing.
9. Camber adjuster will seat itself into spindle at a predetermined position. DO NOT attempt to alter position of camber adjuster.

Removal & Installation (Bronco II & Ranger)

1. Raise and support vehicle. Position floor jack under axle beneath spring. Remove bolt and nut holding shock absorber to radius arm. Slide shock out from bracket.
2. Remove nut holding spring to axle and radius arm. Remove retainer. Lower axle until spring tension is removed and clearance is adequate to remove spring.
3. Remove spring by rotating upper coil out of tabs in upper spring seat. Remove spacer and seat. Remove stud from axle if necessary.
4. To install, position upper end of spring coil in spring stop in upper spring seat. Position top coil over upper spring retainer. To complete installation, reverse removal procedures. (Scheme 6)

Scheme 6

1. Raise vehicle. Remove shock absorber-to-lower bracket bolt. Remove lower spring retainer bolt. Remove upper spring retainer bolt. Remove upper spring attaching screw and upper retainer.
2. Place safety stands under frame rails and lower axle to relieve tension on spring. Remove spring and lower retainer from vehicle. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Bronco & F150 Coil Spring Installation Shown with Quad Shock option. Courtesy of Ford Motor Co. Scheme 7

1. Raise and support front of vehicle. Place floor jack under axle. Disconnect lower end of shock absorber from lower shock bracket. NOTE: Support axle with floor jack during removal and installation procedure. If brake hose length does not permit adequate spring removal clearance, caliper must be removed from steering knuckle.
2. Remove front spring. Loosen axle pivot bolt. Remove spring lower seat and stud from radius arm. Remove bolts attaching radius arm-to-axle and front bracket.
3. Remove nut, rear washer and insulator from rear side of radius arm rear bracket. Remove radius arm from vehicle. Remove inner insulator and retainer from radius arm stud.

To install, reverse removal procedure. During installation, position front end of radius arm front bracket to axle. Install bolts and stud in bracket and hand tighten.

Removal (Bronco & F150)

1. Raise vehicle and place safety stands under frame side rails. Remove shock absorber from radius arm. Remove lower spring attaching bolt. Loosen axle pivot bolt.
2. Remove radius arm rear insulator. Lower axle and allow axle to move forward. Remove the 2 self-tapping screws attaching the front axle to radius arm bracket to axle housing.
3. Remove bolt and stud attaching radius arm to axle. Move axle forward and remove radius arm from axle. Pull radius arm from frame brackets.

1. Position washer and insulator on rear of radius arm and place radius arm into frame bracket. Install attaching nut. Position radius arm to axle. Install new bolts and stud, using Locktite No. 242.
2. Attach radius arm to axle. Attach lower spring seat, insulator and retainer to spring and axle. Tighten rear radius rod attaching nut. Install shock absorber and tighten nuts.

1. Loosen axle pivot bolt. Loosen upper shock absorber pivot bolt and compress shock. Remove nut and washer attaching radius arm to radius arm bracket.
2. Remove outer insulator and spacer. Move radius arm and axle assembly forward, out of radius arm bracket. Remove inner insulator and retainer.

To install radius arm insulator, reverse removal procedure and tighten all nuts and bolts.

1. Raise and support vehicle under radius arm brackets. Disconnect driveshaft from front axle yoke. Remove wheel and tire.
2. Remove disc brake calipers. Remove cotter pin and nut retaining tie rod to spindle. Disconnect linkage from spindle.
3. Position floor jack under axle arm and compress coil spring. Remove nut retaining lower part of spring to axle arm. Lower jack and remove coil spring, spacer, spring seat and stud.
4. Remove bolt and nut and disconnect shock absorber from radius arm bracket. Remove stud and bolts connecting radius arm bracket and radius arm to axle arm. Remove bracket and radius arm.
5. Remove pivot bolt securing right hand axle arm assembly to crossmember. Remove keystone clamps securing axle shaft boot from axle shaft slip yoke and axle shaft. Slide over rubber boot.
6. Disconnect right driveshaft from slip yoke assembly. Lower jack and remove right axle arm assembly. Position another jack under differential housing.
7. Remove bolt connecting left axle arm to crossmember. Lower jacks and remove left axle arm.

To complete front axle installation, reverse removal procedures.

1. Raise vehicle on a hoist or jack and install safety stands under radius arm brackets. Remove wheel and brake caliper. Position jack under axle arm and remove the upper coil spring retainers.
2. Lower the jack and remove the coil spring, spring cushion and lower spring seat. Disconnect the shock absorber at the radius arm and upper mounting bracket.
3. Remove the stud and spring seat at radius arm and axle arm. Remove bolt securing upper attachment to axle arm radius arm to lower attachment axle arm. Disconnect the vent tube at the differential housing and discard hose clamps.
4. Remove the vent fitting and install a 1/8" pipe plug. Remove the pivot bolt securing the right axle arm to crossmember. Remove and discard the keystone clamps and remove the boot from the shaft.
5. Remove the right drive axle and pull the axle shaft from the slip shaft. Position a jack under the differential housing. Remove the bolt securing the left axle to the crossmember. Remove the left drive axle. To install, reverse removal procedure.

1. Raise vehicle on a hoist or jack and position safety stands under radius arm brackets. Remove wheel and tire. Remove caliper. Position jack under axle arm and remove upper coil spring retainers. Lower jack and remove coil spring, cushion and lower spring seat. NOTE: Axle arm must be supported on jack throughout spring removal. Hang caliper to frame. DO NOT hang by brake hose.
2. Disconnect shock absorber at radius arm and upper mounting bracket. Remove stud and spring seat at radius arm and axle arm. Remove bolt securing upper attachment to axle arm radius to lower attachment axle arm.
3. Disconnect vent tube at differential housing. Discard hose clamps. Remove vent fitting and install a 1/8" pipe plug. Remove pivot bolt securing right axle arm to crossmember.
4. Remove and discard keystone clamps and remove boot from shaft. Remove right drive axle and pull axle shaft from the slip shaft. Position a jack under differential housing. Remove bolt securing left axle to crossmember. Remove left drive axle.

1. Raise vehicle on a hoist or jack and position left drive axle at radius arm. Secure drive axle to crossmember with pivot bolt. Tighten bolt to 120-150 ft. lbs. (163-203 N.m).
2. Position right axle at crossmember and radius arm. Align the axle shaft and install in slip shaft. Install boot on shaft with boot seated in grooves. Position new clamps over grooves on boot and crimp with pliers.
3. Secure axle to crossmember with pivot bolt. Tighten bolt to 120-150 ft. lbs. (163-203 N.m). Install vent in differential housing. Connect vent tube to fitting.
4. Position spring seat and install stud at axle arm and upper radius arm. Install bolt at axle and lower radius arm. Tighten bolts. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.

Removal & Installation (Bronco II)

Remove bolts and retainers from center and right end of stabilizer bar. Remove nut, bolt and washer retaining stabilizer bar to stabilizer link. Remove bar and bushings. Place stabilizer bar and bushings in position and install in reverse removal procedure.

Removal & Installation (Ranger)

Remove nuts and "U" bolts retaining lower shock bracket/stabilizer bar bushing to radius arm. Remove retainers, stabilizer bar, and bushing. To install, place stabilizer bar on radius arm and bracket. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.

1. Remove nuts, bolts and washers connecting the stabilizer bar to connecting links. Remove nuts and bolts of the stabilizer bar retainer. Remove stabilizer bar insulator assembly.
2. To remove the stabilizer bar mounting bracket, the coil spring must be removed. See COIL SPRING. (The bracket may be removed from the frame but not the crossmember). Remove the lower spring seat, bracket attaching stud and bracket.

1. To install the stabilizer bar mounting brackets, locate the brackets to that the locating tang is position in the radius arm notch, or quad shock bracket (if equipped).
2. Install a NEW radius arm-to-axle seat stud. Tighten stud to 240-260 ft. lbs. (325-353 N.m). Reposition the lower spring seat and install the spring and retainers. To install the stabilizer bar insulator assembly, assemble all nuts, bolts and washers to the bar, brackets, retainers and links loosely.
3. With the bar positioned correctly, tighten the retainer nut to 27-37 ft. lbs. (37-50 N.m) with retainer around the insulator. Then tighten all remaining nuts at the link assemblies to 52-74 ft. lbs. (71-100 N.m).
4. To install the F150 Regular Cab brackets to crossmember, tighten the 6 carriage bolt nuts to 27-37 ft. lbs. (37-50 N.m). For the F150 Super Cab, tighten the nuts for the frame bracket to 52-74 ft. lbs (71-100 N.m). On the F150 Sno-Fiter, tighten the bolts for the frame bracket to 27-37 ft. lbs. (37-50 N.m).

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

BRONCO II & RANGER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

BRONCO & F150 TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS