Episode 78 - Fix your Early Bronco steering

In this episode, Jon and Donnie discuss early Bronco steering geometry with practical tips and key insights.

 

• Excessive Movement in the Engine bay - With the tires on the ground, saw the steering wheel back and forth looking for excessive movement or play in the engine bay. Steering box, steering shaft.

• Excessive Movement under the Bronco - With the tires on the ground, saw the steering wheel back and forth looking for excessive movement or play. If you have a steering stabilizer, remove it for a more accurate check. Check from the passenger side to the driver side:

1. 1. Ball Joints
   2. Trac Bar
   3. Tie Rod ends
   4. Drag link
   5. Pitman arm
   6. Ball joints
2. Trac Bar play - On the ground, remove Trac Bar and show what happens when the Trac Bar bolt breaks free, or when the Trac Bar bushing goes bad. Saw the steering back and forth and watch the body move side to side over the axle.
   1. New mounting bolts - https://tomsoffroad.com/parts/66-75-ford-bronco-grade-8-track-bar-mounting-bolts
3. Tie Rod and Drag Link parallel - With the Bronco in the air, talk about why it’s important to have the Tie Rod and Drag Link parallel. How to get them closer - 
   1. Drop Pitman arm - https://tomsoffroad.com/parts/66-76-77-ford-bronco-drop-pitman-arm
   2. Trac Bar drop bracket - https://tomsoffroad.com/parts/66-75-ford-bronco-track-bar-drop-bracket
   3. Trac Bar Riser
   4. Tie Rod Over vs. Under
4. Caster Angle - Talk through why Caster angle is important, have an alignment shop test your caster and give you the angle. Jon show his alignment sheet. How to fix caster:
   1. C Bushing 2 degrees - https://tomsoffroad.com/parts/66-75-ford-bronco-2-degree-front-suspension-bushings
   2. C Bushing 4 degrees - https://tomsoffroad.com/parts/66-75-ford-bronco-4-degree-front-suspension-bushings
   3. C Bushing 7 degrees - https://tomsoffroad.com/parts/66-75-ford-bronco-7-degree-front-suspension-bushings
   4. Tow in 3 degrees, ¼”  
5. U-Bolts - Believe it or not, loose U-bolts in the back of your Bronco can cause steering problems on a Bronco. Tighten Ubolts to 60-100 ftlbs (don’t overtighten or you will egg shape the axle tube).
6. Spindle Lock nuts - 
   1. New spindle lock nuts - https://tomsoffroad.com/parts/66-77-ford-bronco-dana-30-44-spindle-nut-kit
7. Tire Pressure - How to check tire pressure with chalk

 

Follow Jon and Donnie Jon - https://www.instagram.com/nashvilleearlybronco/ Donnie - https://www.instagram.com/dreamweaverdonnie/ QUESTION - Have a question about the show?

 

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