Front Suspension - 2wd Ford Econoline I

DESCRIPTION

Front suspension consists of a coil spring, twin "I" beam-type front axle assembly. "I" beams are mounted to a frame pivot bracket at one end, and to spindle (with ball joints) and a radius arm at the other. Springs are mounted between frame spring pocket and axle.

WHEEL ALIGNMENT

Note. See appropriate SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT

1. Turn off air suspension switch at right kick panel (if equipped). Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel cover and grease cap. Remove cotter pin and retainer. Loosen adjusting nut 3 turns.
2. Obtain running clearance between brake rotor surface and lining by rocking entire wheel assembly several times to push caliper and brake pads away from rotor.
3. An alternate method of obtaining running clearance is to lightly tap on brake caliper housing. DO NOT tap on any area which may damage rotor and lining. DO NOT pry on brake caliper piston.
4. Running clearance must be maintained throughout bearing adjustment procedure. If proper clearance cannot be maintained, caliper must be removed.
5. Tighten adjusting nut to 17-25 ft. lbs. (23-34 N.m) while rotating brake rotor in opposite direction. Back off adjusting nut 120-180 degrees.
6. Tighten adjusting nut to 17-25 INCH lbs. (1.92-2.82 N.m). Bearing end play should be .00025-.00500" (.006-.127 mm). Torque required to turn hub should be 10-25 INCH lbs. (1.13-2.82 N.m).
7. Install retainer and NEW cotter pin without loosening adjusting nut. Bend ends of cotter pin around retainer.

BALL JOINT & SPINDLE PIN CHECKING

Note. On models with spindle pin and bushings, bushing I.D. should be .001-.003" (.03-.08 mm) larger than diameter of spindle pin when new. No further information is available from manufacturer.

Turn off air suspension switch at right kick panel (if equipped). Raise and support vehicle. Ensure wheel bearings are properly adjusted. Grasp lower edge of tire and move wheel in and out while watching for spindle movement. Spindle movement must not exceed 1/32" (.794 mm) at upper or lower arms, relative to axle. If movement exceeds limit, replace ball joints.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

1. Turn off air suspension switch at right kick panel (if equipped). Raise front of vehicle, and remove wheels. Remove brake caliper, and wire it to underbody to prevent damage to brake hose.
2. Remove grease cap from hub. Remove cotter pin, retainer, adjusting nut and flat washer from spindle. Remove outer wheel bearing. Pull hub and rotor from spindle. Remove grease seal and inner wheel bearing.
3. Clean bearings, inspect for damage and replace as necessary. Fill inside of hub, flush with inside diameter of bearing outer races, with lithium-based grease. Install bearings and NEW seal.
4. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Adjust wheel bearings. See «WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT»(/ford/econoline/i-1985-2013/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension-2wd__wheel-bearing-adjustment) under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION.

Remove shock absorber-to-upper bracket nut. Remove shock absorber-to-radius arm nut and remove shock absorber. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Removal

1. Raise vehicle and support under front axle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove brake caliper, and wire it to underbody to prevent damage to brake hose. Remove grease cap, cotter pin, retainer, adjusting nut, flat washer and outer wheel bearing.
2. Remove brake rotor and brake dust shield. Remove inner bearing and seal. Remove cotter pin and nut from tie rod end. Using Tie Rod Remover (TOOL-3290-D), remove tie rod end from spindle arm.
3. Remove cotter pin and nut from lower ball joint. Remove nut from axle clamp bolt and remove bolt. Note position of camber adjuster on top of axle. (Scheme 1) Remove camber adjuster from upper ball joint.
4. Strike axle to break lower ball joint loose from axle. (Scheme 1) Remove spindle assembly.

Scheme 1

Installation

1. Ensure ball joint seals are in position. Place spindle and ball joints into axle. Install lower ball joint nut and tighten to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/ford/econoline/i-1985-2013/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension-2wd__torque-specifications) .
2. Install camber adjuster over upper ball joint stud. Ensure camber adjuster is properly aligned. If camber adjustment is required, special camber adjusters must be installed. Tap camber adjuster into spindle. Tighten upper ball joint nut to specification.
3. Install cotter pin. Install axle clamp bolt and tighten to specification. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Adjust wheel bearings. See «WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT»(/ford/econoline/i-1985-2013/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension-2wd__wheel-bearing-adjustment) under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. Check and adjust front end alignment. See appropriate SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

1. Remove spindle. See «SPINDLE»(/ford/econoline/i-1985-2013/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension-2wd). Install spindle in a vise. Remove snap ring from lower ball joint.
2. Using "C" Frame (T74P-4635-C) and Ball Joint Remover (T94T-3010-AH), rotate forcing screw clockwise until lower ball joint is removed from spindle. Install "C" frame onto upper ball joint with forcing screw going through lower ball joint bore. (Scheme 2) Remove upper ball joint.

Scheme 2

1. Upper ball joint must be installed first. Install upper ball joint squarely in spindle. Using "C" Frame, Receiver Cup, Installation Cup and Adapters (D81T-3010-A1 and D81T-3010-A3), install ball joint until firmly seated.
2. Repeat procedure for lower ball joint installation. Install snap ring. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts and nuts to specifications. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/ford/econoline/i-1985-2013/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension-2wd__torque-specifications) .

COIL SPRING

Note. Support axle with a floor jack during coil spring removal and installation procedures. If brake hose length does not permit adequate clearance, remove brake caliper.

Raise front of vehicle and support with jack stands under frame and floor jack under axle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove stabilizer bar. See STABILIZER BAR . Disconnect shock absorber from radius arm lower bracket. Remove upper spring retainer bolts and remove retainer. Lower floor jack and remove spring. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Remove spindle. See SPINDLE . Remove coil spring and stabilizer bar (if equipped). Remove lower spring seat from radius arm. Remove radius arm-to-front axle bolt. Remove axle-to-frame pivot bolt and remove axle.

1. Install axle with frame pivot bolt finger tight. Connect radius arm to front axle. Install lower spring seat, ensuring it aligns over radius arm bolt. Ensure spring seat pin engages with slot in radius arm.
2. Install remaining components. Tighten axle-to-frame pivot bolt to specification with vehicle at normal operating height. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/ford/econoline/i-1985-2013/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension-2wd__torque-specifications) .

RADIUS ARM

Note. Support axle with a floor jack during coil spring removal and installation procedures. If brake hose length does not permit adequate clearance, remove brake caliper.

1. Raise and support vehicle with safety stands under frame and jack under axle. Remove front wheels. Disconnect link from stabilizer bar (if equipped).
2. Disconnect shock absorber from lower bracket. Remove coil spring. See «COIL SPRING»(/ford/econoline/i-1985-2013/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension-2wd__coil-spring) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Remove lower spring seat from radius arm.
3. Remove radius arm-to-axle bolt. Remove nut, washer, insulator and spacer from rear radius arm mount. Remove radius arm.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Remove retaining bolts at bushings. Remove stabilizer bar by pulling out of both axles with bushings in place. Remove bushings. To install, reverse removal procedure. With NEW bushings installed, tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT
• TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
• SPINDLE
• COIL SPRING