bronco swerves

[old yellow stud]

Hi everyone. Well my bronco is finally on the road!!!!!!! I brought it home from the shop last week. I had the mechanic put on a new eddlebrock manifold and 4bbl carb and fix the speedo and do some electricial work for me. And I also had the crossmember put back in that I tried and tried to get back in. I turns out the adapter that was on the NP435 that I put in wasn't the right one. So I had to order a new adapter from Wild horses. And have the exhaust cut and the crossmember went right in. Not too big of a deal just wished I would have known the adapter I was using was the wrong one sure would have saved alot of headaches and time working on the ground.

But anyway on to my question. I have never really drove this before I brought it home so don't really know how it is suppose to act. And I haven't driven it too much since it has come home cause there is no insurance on it yet and the new air cleaner hasn't come in. When I get it up to around 50mph or higher I am fighting keeping it between the lines it wants to go everywhere but straight. I understand this basicly a box on wheels and I shouldn't expect it to handle great but was just wondering if anyone else has or had this problem. It is a stock bronco with no lift and 31in tires. Also when I go up hills and down shift from 4th to 3rd I can smell gas pretty bad. The mechanic told me I still need to have the timing set and get a new cap and rotor and a tune up. But he wouldn't do it till the air cleaner comes in. Could this be why I am smelling fuel.

Other than all that this thing is fun to drive and and I wished I could have gotten it running a long time ago. Just a few more things to do and figure out where to put a stereo and speakers and I can start fixing it up and make it look nice.

 

[Seabronc]

It shouldn't be wondering all over the road. That is caused by front end problems, tie rod ends, ball joints, tires, alignment, etc. Obviously it is running too rich so if it continues to do that after the mechanic does the other stuff for you, check it out.

Good luck,

>-

 

[walkercreekbronco]

When I bought my Bronco it also wandered all over the road on the stock suspension, but my ball joints, ties rods, etc. were all o.k.

I put a 3 1/2" lift with all new springs, and dual shocks (I never even aligned it afterwards). Now you can let go of the steering wheel going down the highway.

 

[S_bolt19]

Something as simple as a steering stabilizer will help fix the problem. If it doesn't have one or the one on there is worn out, put one on and you will have a marked improvement in handeling. I would spend the money and get a Rancho to put on it. But definatly check the ball joints, rod ends, etc. to make sure they aren't bad. If they are all good then tighten the steering box and put a stabilizer shock on.

 

[rodsteal]

If you smell gas it could be a number of things. Maybe too rich, possible fuel leak, the fuel caps are right behind you as well as the fact you are sitting right on the fuel tank and the tank switch. Mine smells like fuel right after I fill it up. Don

 

[Traffic Tony]

Hey Old Yellow;

When I first got mine, driving was always like in the old movie, you know, constantly moving the steering wheel back and forth about 2 to 3 inches. Then I replaced the old rubber bushings with new polyurethane. What a difference! The first like I noticed was how straight and stable it track down the road, I could even take my hands of the steering wheel at high speed.

Tires, shocks and linkage are all very important but this fix was cheap and when you see the pathetic little pieces of rubber Ford put in for C-bushings you'll understand.

 

[old yellow stud]

Thanks guys for all you're help and information. I thought there might be a steering issue going on with it. But wasn't sure since this is the first time I have actually gotten to drive the bronco since I got it. So really didn't know what to expect. I will defanitly get it back in the shop after the air cleaner comes in and get a tune-up and hopefully get the gas smell figured out. I will just have to keep tinkering with it till I get all the bugs worked out. It sat for a long time.

 

[Seabronc]

I will just have to keep tinkering with it till I get all the bugs worked out. It sat for a long time.

Yah, that's half the fun /

Good luck,

>-

 

[STLKIKN]

A steering dampner may mask any problems that you have but it won't fix any potentially dangerous issues, I run 5.5" of suspension, 35" tires and no stabilizer because I don't need one.

Here is a quick check list for your front end inspection, you can do this at home with the help of a friend.

" sloppy " steering can be caused by a multitude of problems...

some are cheap fixes, some can become costly...

This is a list of things to check BEFORE attempting to adjust your steering box.

what condition are the radius arm bushings in

are all four "c" bushings in place (79 and prior)

if you have a two or three piece steering shaft, what condition are the joints in

drag link end and tie rod end play

ball joint condition

wheel bearing adjustment

track bar bushing condition (solid axle only)

toe in adjustment

tire pressures

tire condition

steering stabilizer condition

loose steering box to frame bolts ( quite common on EB's with larger tires)

is the sector shaft in the steering box "jumping" up and down...

(this would require the previously mentioned adjustment, NOT recommended for the novice wrench turner)

Twin Traction Beam bushings

It is fairly common for 80 and newer Fords to have cracks/ break in or at the engine crossmember or the frame

where the crossmember mounts, a tire on the ground "wiggle" can be used to check these areas.

These items will require two people to check,

the tie rod ,drag link,sector shaft,and all bushings can be checked by having a friend sit in the truck and "wiggle" the steering wheel back and forth about 1/2" each direction, carefully watch each joint or bushing and look for play at each piece, for the steering box to move on the frame, or for the sector shaft to "jump" up and down ( the sector is the piece of the steering box that the pitman arm bolts onto.)

The ball joints and wheel bearings can be checked by jacking under the diff until there is a couple of inches under the tire,( use a jack stand to support the truck) grab the tire at 12 and 6, feel for top to bottom movement ( in and out) at the places you've grabbed. If you can't feel movement, the wheel bearings are ok.

Have a friend do this so you can watch the ball joints... do the same top/bottom "wiggle":

movement in the ball joints indicates wear.

Get a two or three foot lever ( steel bar works well) put it under the tire ( make sure the truck is still secure on the jack stand) gently lift the bar while watching the ball joints for movement, allow the tire to drop all the way between lifts,

up/ down movement in the ball joints indicates wear.

Toe in can be checked by measuring the difference between the centre of the tread on the front and back of the tires across the truck. Measure the tires at the same level to get an accurate measurement. The difference is your "toe-in".

Depending on your tire size, this should be anywhere from 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch.

To check your steering stabilizer, simply unbolt one end of it, see if it extends and collapses using the same amount of force each way. It should have a steady resistance all the way through its travel in either direction, without being harder one way or the other.

One other item to check while your truck is in the air is the axle u-joint, lock the hub, turn the steering to full lock ( either direction) and turn the tire. If you feel a tight spot as the wheel turns, make note of where the grease zerk is, if during the next rotation, the same resistance is felt at the same point in rotation, you have a bad axle u-joint. If you change an axle u-joint DON'T forget to grease the spindle bearings!!!

Good luck in doing your inspection... if you find any thing that you feel is worn, make a note of it and take it to your local shop, most places around here will do a

steering inspection like this for about 1/2 hours labor.

 

[SAYBYE]

I agree with STLIKN alot to check mine was the bias tires put on new raidals, Bronco goes streight down the road now. Even the wife noticed how much better it rides. Good Luck and take your time checking everything out.