Gen1 suspension questions

Alar · Oct 15, 2020

Hey.

So front lower control arm bushings, are those same as regular F150 or do I need to change the whole control arm?

About rear leaf spring bushings. What is best option? At the moment they are squeaking like crazy when weather had been dry for few days. My mileage is over 178k but they are still original.

Any advice is appreciated.

FordTechOne · Oct 15, 2020

Ford sells the bushings only with the control arms, but there may be aftermarket companies that offer replacement bushings that can be pressed in.

Rear leaf springs squeaks are typically the result of contamination (dust/dirt) or worn/damaged tip isolators (little plastic discs between the springs). Try power washing the leaf packs to remove any contamination and see if it still squeaks. If so, check the tip isolators and replace them if they’re worn or damaged.

Sozzy12 · Oct 15, 2020

Ive been looking at options for the rear suspension as well. Pressure washing helped a lot but I still have a small squeek. Camburg has new shackles for a pretty reasonable price. These obviously include new bushings. Energy suspension has new bushings, but if Im going to go through the trouble of pulling off the stock shackles, I'm upgrading.

PorterW1111 · Oct 15, 2020

FordTechOne said:
Ford sells the bushings only with the control arms, but there may be aftermarket companies that offer replacement bushings that can be pressed in.

Rear leaf springs squeaks are typically the result of contamination (dust/dirt) or worn/damaged tip isolators (little plastic discs between the springs). Try power washing the leaf packs to remove any contamination and see if it still squeaks. If so, check the tip isolators and replace them if they’re worn or damaged.

Also if you can jack the rear end up by the frame the get the leafs to “decompress” some, then hit them with the pressure washer. Allows for the water to get in between the leafs a little better.

I recommend letting it air dry or use some air while it’s lifted as well keeps from any water getting trapped between the packs

FordTechOne · Oct 16, 2020

PorterW1111 said:
Also if you can jack the rear end up by the frame the get the leafs to “decompress” some, then hit them with the pressure washer. Allows for the water to get in between the leafs a little better.

I recommend letting it air dry or use some air while it’s lifted as well keeps from any water getting trapped between the packs

Both great points.

Sozzy12 · Oct 16, 2020

I used some brake cleaner to remove any residual lubricant between the springs so they don't attract more dirt in the future.

BenBB · Oct 16, 2020

Last time I replaced lower balljoints I took a chance on LCA bushings because I could never find an exact replacement part number, well Moog K201189 doesn't fit front or back:

You could definitely press them in and out if you could find the right part numbers, on closer inspection mine were ok but one of these days I'll try again as I'm at about 183k now.

Alar · Oct 17, 2020

Tried to remove rear leaf springs today... Unsuccessful. I need to remove fuel tank and exhaust to get those bolts out. Why Ford you make my life so difficult... Just cleaned and lubricated as much as possible. For now squeaking is gone.

BenBB · Oct 17, 2020

Haha right?! Much easier to just cut the head off that left front bolt with a recip saw and install the new one from the outside (see Deaver install threads). Might as well upgrade leaf springs at the same time...along with shackles...and if all that’s apart it would be cake to put in bump stops...and down the rabbit hole we go...

Gen1 suspension questions

Alar

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