2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission where to buy urethane busing for stock control arms.

[Hootguy]

I have been fighting this death wobble for long enough now,,,so i've decided to start throwing parts at it.

I've replaced the trackbar,,tie rod ends,,

I'installed a DSS stabilizer,,,,that helped a great deal...

Now i am going to put a new steering damper... . i got new Raybestos Severe Duty rotors. .

But now i also want to either install urethane bushings in the stock connntrol arms and sway bar,,,or even buy new better arms alltogether,,like Ranchos or something. .

If anyone knows where i can buy replacement Ranncho arms with the Heim joints on the ends... or urethane bushings,,i would appreciate if someoen can tell me how much and where to buy. .

It sucks drivinng a truck that you are allways scared of driving,,,not to mention hoow embarassing it is when Ford and Chevy drivers see you bouncing off the road...

Thanks for the help.

 

[Extreme1]

Did you have the alignment done to Brent's specs? I had a little wobble going and it was fixed by aligning. It started the 8th on a bump I hit every day. I had the truck aligned on the 11th and it's almost gone. The original steering damper (with 265,000 miles on it) finally bit the big one a few weeks ago and I think I can justify replacement.



I will also be replacing my bushings because the upper right rear shell is loose in the arm. I'll tack the steel sleeve to the arm before disassembly to get the position correct. It won't affect the alignment.



Summit has the Energy Suspension kits and Jegs has Prothane kits. I've seen a post on here about the Energy kit not fitting the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks because of the bolt size so I'll make a couple calls before I buy. I should know the deal tomorrow.



Neither Jegs nor Summit stocks this kit.



As for the alignment, it drives nice again. The shop that did it changed out the upper ball joint bushings to correct the camber and get me up to 4 degrees of castor. They warned me that if the castor adjusting bolts break, it's a PITA (more $) to fix. Especially since no one has the fasteners on hand. Of course one of my bolts broke, the mechanic rigged mine up to work but then we ran out of time to play with the other side. This shop likes 5 degrees of castor. The 4 I got is better than the 2. 5 and 3. 0 I showed up with.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Check the alignment. Search on my user name and find the post(s) about my '96 gasser. DC threw parts at it but never aligned it - just marked the caster eccentrics and reinstalled to the marks. I cured the wobble in my driveway after DC replaced all kinds of front end parts... ...



Brian

 

[Hootguy]

How do you loosen the eccentric bolt for the lower control arm. .

Some say the nut is welded to the eccentric and you have to loosen by the bolt head,,,others say loosen the nut like usuall. .

I tried loosening at the bolt head,,it wouldn't budge at all. .

Should i heat the nut up and throw some penetrating oil to it???

I know both my eccentrics are nowhere nere cllose to matching. .

Thanks for all the help.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Hooter69,

I don't remember - it's been almost 4 years.



The marks should be the same, otherwise you're trying to twist the axle tube and that isn't going to happen.



Brian

 

[Hootguy]

Well. . i got the local alignement guy to tell me the way to loosen it ,,,exactly the way i thought it was suposed to,,just like a regular bolt...

BUT,,,the bolt broke right off,,so off to the ******* for some new bolts and nuts,,,a measly $23,00 each nut and bolt. . now you know why the dealer lives up to their reputations. .

 

[wcjp]

I replaced the bushing with rubber replacements. The stock control arms have some flex. Next time I'll replace with stock height aftermarket replacements.