'89 Bronco Unique FWD problem-Please Help!

[Chiron]

Hello everyone. I have been fixing a wrecked 1989 Bronco., I believe it's an XLT. It has the quad shocks up front. Anyway, the previous owner slid into a ditch two years ago and bent the rear axle and the front passenger side TTB and radius arm.

I have replaced pretty much the whole passenger side axle and suspension up front and used a 1991 F150 4x4 front end for the TTB, knuckle, and radius arm. I also replaced the automatic hubs with Warn manual locking hubs while I was at it. Now when I put the wheels on, the driver's side wheel sticks outside of the fender a good inch or so more than the passenger side. The passenger side wheel and tire fit inside the wheel well like it should. I have double checked and the frame isn't bent. Can anyone think of a reason why this would be like this?

Is there a difference in size (length) of TTB between the 1991 4x4 and the 1989 Bronco that I missed. I double checked the pivot bolts and there doesn't appear to be a problem there. I could really use some help or suggestions since I am soooo close to having this truck back on the road again! Once this suspension is taken care of, I can have the state inspect it and issue me a rebuilt title to license it.

Thanks in advance guys!

Chiron

 

[Justshootme84]

Compare the brackets on the frame where each axle beam bolts to, called the axle pivot brackets. The driver's side axle beam bracket is close to the passenger side frame rail, on the engine crossmember, and may be bent from the wreck. It's simple to unbolt and replace it if that's the problem. Same for the opposite side. You may need to compare the location of the axle pivot bolt on one side to the other. you can do this by dropping a plumb line from the frame, and mesuring how far the bolt is from the line. One inch is alot and can affect the frontend alignment and steering control. Also may want to check the condition of the coil springs and the towers where they fit at the top. The coils should be straight up and down, with no lean. good luck ,JSM84

 

[Chiron]

Compare the brackets on the frame where each axle beam bolts to, called the axle pivot brackets. The driver's side axle beam bracket is close to the passenger side frame rail, on the engine crossmember, and may be bent from the wreck. It's simple to unbolt and replace it if that's the problem. Same for the opposite side. You may need to compare the location of the axle pivot bolt on one side to the other. you can do this by dropping a plumb line from the frame, and mesuring how far the bolt is from the line. One inch is alot and can affect the frontend alignment and steering control. Also may want to check the condition of the coil springs and the towers where they fit at the top. The coils should be straight up and down, with no lean. good luck ,JSM84

Thanks for the help! I'm going to go and check that here in a bit! That's something I never would have thought of just because I didn't know any better.

Chiron

 

[Chiron]

I got in there and looked at that and nothing seems bent or out of place. However I did notice that on the driver side ball joint, the camber bushing is not seated all the way in the hole on the traction beam and that it's partially rotated. I need to change the ball joints on that side too. I'm doing that this evening, so we'll see if that's what caused this.

Chiron

 

[Chiron]

****UPDATE****

Ok, so I pulled off the knuckle on the driver side and replaced the ball joints in it and seated the camber bushing all the way and put everything back together. There is STILL a problem somewhere. I got under the truck and didn't see anything bent at the pivot point for the driver's side or the passenger side. The front end I used for replacement parts was a 1991 F-150 4WD with a Dana 44. The only thing I can think of is that there is some kind of difference in size or length between the two. Is this possible?? Is this where I screwed up? With tires on, it even looks like the body sits lower on the passenger side. I can post some pics if that might help.

I'm almost to the point of selling this thing off and taking a loss. Anyone know of anyone in the Dayton/Cincinatti/Columbus area that knows their schtuff that would be willing to take $50 or so just to come over and take a look at it and let me know what they see?

Chiron