Suspension - Front (4wd Coil) Ford Cab & Chassis Ranger

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.

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES

See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES in WHEEL ALIGNMENT section.

Bronco II & Ranger

1. Raise the vehicle and support with safety stands. Remove wheel lug nuts and remove the wheel and tire. Remove retainer washers from the lug studs and remove the manual locking hub from the spindle.
2. Remove the axle shaft spacer, needle thrust bearing and the bearing spacer. Remove the outer wheel bearing lock nut from the spindle using Four-Prong Spindle Nut Spanner Wrench (T83T-1197-A). Ensure the tabs on the wrench engage the slots in the lock nut.
3. Remove the lock nut washer from the spindle. Loosen the inner wheel bearing lock nut using spanner wrench. Ensure that the tabs of the wrench engage the slots in the lock nut and that the slot in the wrench is over the pin on the lock nut.
4. Tighten the inner lock nut to 35 ft. lbs. (47 N.m) to seat the bearings. Spin the rotor and back-off the inner lock nut 1/4 turn. Install the lock washer on the spindle. It may be necessary to turn the inner lock nut so the pin on the lock nut aligns with the closest hole in the lock washer.
5. Install the outer wheel bearing lock nut using spanner wrench. Tighten lock nut to 150 ft. lbs (203 N.m). Install the bearing thrust spacer, needle bearing and axle shaft spacer.
6. Clip the snap ring onto the end of the spindle. Install the manual hub over the spindle. Install the retainer washers. Install the tire and wheel and tighten lug nuts to 85-115 ft. lbs. (115-155 N.m).
7. Check the end play of the wheel and tire on the spindle. End play should be 0.001-0.003" (0.02-0.08 mm). (Scheme 10) Install locking hub as outlined in MANUAL LOCKING HUB.

Bronco II & Ranger Wheel Bearing Adjusting Nut Tighten innerlock nut to 35 ft. lbs (47 N.m). Scheme 10

Bronco & F-150

1. Raise and support vehicle on safety stands. Remove hub lock assembly from spindle. See LOCKING HUBS in this article.
2. Using Spanner Socket (T59T-1197-B), and a torque wrench, tighten the bearing inner adjusting nut to 50 ft. lbs. (68 N.m). while rotating the wheel back and forth to seat the bearing.
3. Back-off adjusting nut approximately 45°. Assemble lock washer by turning inner lock nut to nearest hole in the lock washer. To lock, install the outer lock nut and tighten to 150 ft. lbs. (203 N.m).
4. Final end play of the wheel on the spindle should be 0.00-0.006" (0.00-0.15 mm). Install automatic hubs as outlined in AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUB. Remove safety stands and lower vehicle. (Scheme 11)

Exploded View of Bronco & F-150 Wheel Bearing Clean all parts and use new grease for reassembly. Scheme 11

BALL JOINT CHECKING

Raise vehicle. Adjust wheel bearings. Grab each wheel and shake in and out while watching front spindle assembly. Assembly must not move more than 1/32" (0.79 mm) at the upper or lower arms, relative to the axle. If worn beyond limits, replace ball joints.

Removal

1. Remove locking hubs. Remove wheel bearing lock nut, lock ring and adjusting nut. Remove hub/disc assembly. Outer bearing will slide out.
2. Remove spindle nuts, then remove spindle from knuckle studs and axle shaft. Clean all parts, then remove spindle bore seal, "V" block seal and thrust washer from outer axle shaft. Replace any worn parts.
3. Remove inner bearing cone and grease seal from hub with slide puller. Check bearing cups and drive out with punch if worn.

Installation

1. Lubricate needle bearing and spindle face. Assemble "V" block seal next to needle bearing. Place spindle bore seal and thrust washer on axle shaft. Place spindle on knuckle studs and tighten nuts.
2. Place inner bearing cone and roller in cup, then install grease seal. Place hub/disc assembly on spindle. Install outer bearing cone and roller with adjusting nut. Adjust wheel bearings and install locking hubs.

1. Remove 5 cap screws, and remove cover. Remove bearing race spring assembly. Remove sealing ring and seal bridge retainer. Remove bearing components.
2. Squeeze tangs of wire retaining ring together with needle nose pliers. Pull remaining components of automatic hub from wheel. (Scheme 12)

Exploded View of Automatic Locking Hubs. Scheme 12

1. Make sure that drag sleeve retainer washer is in position, between wheel bearing adjusting nut and lock nut. Torque wheel bearing adjusting nut to specifications.
2. Make sure that spacer and retaining ring are in position on axle shaft. Install automatic locking hub into wheel hub. Align drag sleeve slots with tabs on drag sleeve retainer washer. (Scheme 13)
3. Align outer clutch housing splines with splines of wheel hub. Loosen cover screws 3 or 4 turns, and push in on cover to allow retaining ring to expand into rotor hub groove.

Drag Sleeve Retainer Washer. Scheme 13

1. Remove hub screws and washers, noting how washers are installed on screws. Loosen gear hub housing, and slide away from hub and drum assembly.
2. Remove inner metal gasket, and discard. Remove gear hub housing. Remove outer gasket, and discard. Wipe clean all exposed components. Apply pressure on clutch gear, and remove snap ring.
3. Remove clutch gear and pressure spring from assembly, while knob is in "LOCK" position. Turn knob to "FREE" position. Using a drift punch, drive cam lock pin out of assembly.
4. Remove actuating cam from knob. Remove knob from knob retainer. Using a cap screw, pull out on axle shaft. Remove snap ring, bushing, and inner clutch assembly. If wear is shown on either the inner or outer clutch gear, replace both as a set.

Exploded View of Spicer (Dana) External Locking Hub. Scheme 14

1. Before assembling hub, check splines on axle shaft. Make sure threaded screw holes in wheel hub are clean. Apply Moly X-L hi-speed grease to thrust face of bushing and to splines of inner clutch gear.
2. Install inner clutch gear on bushing. Install bushing and inner clutch gear on axle shaft. Make sure splines on inner clutch gear are aligned with splines on axle.
3. Install a new snap ring. Make sure snap ring is fully seated. Apply Parker "O" Ring Lubricant to "O" ring area of control knob. Install "O" ring.
4. Place actuating knob into knob retainer with arrow pointing to "FREE" position. Install knob retainer snap ring. It may be necessary to use a small screwdriver to position snap ring in groove.
5. Place actuating cam on knob, making sure ears of cam are aligned with retainer slots. Install cam lock pin through cam groove and holes in actuator knob.
6. Make sure ends of pin are flush with outside diameter of cam. Turn actuator knob to "LOCK" position. Apply a small amount of Moly X-L hi-speed lubricant to cam grooves.
7. Install spring and outer clutch gear. Press down on clutch gear to compress spring. With spring compressed, install snap ring. Turn actuator knob to "FREE" position.
8. Install 2 retaining screws and washers into knob retainer to align hub components. Apply a small amount of lubricant to outer splines of outer clutch gear.
9. Remove excess lubricant from retainer gasket surface. Install a new outer retainer gasket. Assemble housing by aligning splines of housing with outer clutch gear splines.
10. Install a new inner metal gasket on hub housing. Install hub assembly to axle, using retainer screws as pilots to align gasket holes and wheel hub holes.
11. Tighten retainer screws to secure hub in place. Turn actuator knob to "LOCK" position. Install the 4 remaining screws. Tighten screws evenly to 30-35 ft. lbs. (41-48 N.m).

Note. It may be difficult to engage and disengage hub, until it has been used several times.

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 procedures to complete installation.

Removal (Bronco & F-150)

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 and tire. 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-hand side, remove shaft and joint assembly by pulling assembly out of carrier. On right-hand 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 2nd 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.

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 multi-purpose grease.
2. If removed, install new shaft seal. On right-hand 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 missing spline in slip yoke barrel with gapless spline on shaft and joint assembly.
4. Slide right shaft and joint into slip yoke. Be sure 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 onto spindle. Tighten spindle nuts.
6. 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 on top of needle bearing. Place spindle in a 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 if difficult, use Pitman Arm Puller (T64P-3590-F). NOTE: Note orientation of camber adjuster to assure the same camber setting.
5. Place knuckle in vise and remove snap ring from bottom ball joint socket, if so equipped. 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. ALWAYS remove bottom ball joint first.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten all bolts and nuts. Replace any safety or 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. If necessary use Pitman Arm Puller (T64P-3590-F). Place spindle in vise and remove snap ring from bottom ball joint socket, if equipped.
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.

1. 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.
2. Install camber adjuster on top ball joint stud with arrow pointing outward for positive camber and pointing inward for negative camber.
3. 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.
4. Camber adjuster will seat itself into spindle at a predetermined position. DO NOT attempt to alter position of camber adjuster.

1. Raise and support vehicle. Position jack under spring located beneath axle. 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.

Position upper end of spring so coil fits into spring stop in upper spring seat and top coil fits over upper spring retainer. To complete installation, reverse removal procedures.

Bronco II & Ranger Coil Spring Installation Position spring in upper spring seat and retainer. Scheme 15

Removal & Installation (Bronco & F-150)

1. Raise vehicle. Remove shock absorber-to-lower bracket bolt and nut. 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 enough to relieve tension on spring. Remove spring and lower retainer from vehicle. To install, reverse removal procedure.

1. Raise and support front of vehicle. Place jack under axle. Disconnect lower end of shock absorber from shock lower bracket. NOTE: Axle must be supported by 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.

Position front end of radius arm front bracket to axle. Install bolts and stud in bracket. Install bolts and stud finger tight. To complete installation, reverse removal procedures.

1. Raise vehicle and place safety stands under frame side rails. Remove shock absorber attaching bolts and 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 the 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.
2. Remove nut and washer attaching radius arm to radius arm bracket. Remove outer insulator and spacer.
3. 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 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, 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 assembly.

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 tire 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-hand axle arm to crossmember. Remove and discard the keystone clamps and remove the boot from the shaft.
5. Remove the right-hand drive axle and pull the axle shaft from the slip shaft. Position a jack under the differential housing. Remove the bolt securing the left-hand axle to the crossmember. Remove the left-hand drive axle.

To install front axles, reverse removal procedure.

Removal Bronco & F-150

1. Raise vehicle on a hoist or jack and install 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-hand 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-hand axle to crossmember. Remove left-hand 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-hand axle at crossmember and radius arm. Align the axle shaft and install in slip shaft. Install boot on shaft so boot seats into grooves. Position new clamps over grooves on boot and crimp with pliers.
3. Secure axle to crossmember with pivot bolt. Tighten bolt to 120-1150 ft. lbs. (163-203 N.m). Install vent in differential housing. Connect vent tube to fitting using new hose clamps.
4. Position spring seat and install a new stud at axle arm and upper radius arm. Install new 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-hand end of stabilizer bar. Remove nut, bolt and washer retaining stabilizer bar to stabilizer link. Remove bar and bushings. To install, place stabilizer bar and bushings in position. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.

Removal & Installation (Ranger)

Remove nuts and U-bolts retaining lower shock bracket/stabilizer bar bushing to radius arm. Remove retainers and remove 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 to frame assembly may be removed but not the crossmember). Remove the lower spring seat. The bracket attaching stud and bracket can now be removed.

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 stud. Tighten stud to 240-260 ft. lbs. (325-353 N.m). Reposition the spring lower 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 71-100 ft. lbs. (52-74 N.m).
4. To install the F-150 Regular Cab brackets to crossmember, tighten the 6 carriage bolt nuts to 27-37 ft. lbs. (37-50 N.m). For the F-150 Super Cab, tighten the nuts for the frame bracket to 71-100 ft. lbs. (52-74 N.m). On the F-150 Snow-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 II & RANGER)

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (BRONCO & F-150)

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (BRONCO & F-150)