Axle Pivot Bushing too loose in bracket?

[Maui-sprint]

I just performed a 4" lift on a '91 Extended Cab with a D28 re-using older skyjacker-style pivot brackets I pulled from a junkyard rig about 10 years ago. I replaced the axle pivot bushings with new parts. Im at the point where I have everything together and am ready to tighten the axle pivot bolts with the weight of vehicle on them. However, after installing the axles I'm left with a gap between the axle pivot bushing and the mounting flanges on the bracket. This doesn't seem normal to me. I believe that the bushing should fit nice and tight within the bracket. Should I just torque it up and attempt to pinch the bushing? Or should I install some spacers between the bushing and bracket flanges on one, or both sides?

 

[franklin2]

Tighten them up good. Those brackets are more flimsy than you think.

 

[4x4junkie]

That bracket looks like it might be bent a little, and is why it's wider... You can certainly tighten that up and be done with it.
Is the other side the same way?

 

[scotts90ranger]

Yeah, what they said, drive it home... if the cast side is that loose I would be more worried... speaking of the cast side is the lift you got one that has a drop plate for the stock passenger side pivot bracket or a whole different bracket that just bolts to the engine crossmember? If it's the drop plate style I would clearance the furthest bolt hole closest to the diff, those are known to punch holes in the differential on Dana 35's

Just to verify, you should have a Dana 35 axle on a '91 (I don't remember from a couple years ago...) which is the spindles I have for you... not that it matters which axle it is in this context but just checking... 10 bolts holding the front diff on is D35 and 12 is D28

 

[SenorNoob]

I wonder if there is a difference in the thickness of the D28 vs D35 bushing? Would be the first time I've heard of it...

 

[4x4junkie]

D28, D35 bushings are the same width (I think same bushing even).

×2, all '91, '92 trucks came with the D35, regardless of engine (it wasn't until '93 we started seeing the D28/35 hybrid weirdness, which also carried the 10 bolts on the front)

 

[Maui-sprint]

I wasn't aware that all 91s and 92s came with the D35. Good to know. But this one is the D28 from my '89 High Rider STX. I was forced to swap it into my '91 for the original D35 since the spindles were so bad and I needed the truck. Will reinstall the D35 once its fixed (still need those spindles Scott!).

The lift kit I installed came from a truck I parted out about 10 years ago out here. The pivot bracket for the passenger side (non-diff) axle is the one-piece skyjacker style bracket that is preferred over the drop bracket so Im good there (below pics show this bracket and the bushing before tightning). These brackets are pretty stout pieces compared to the original parts. Thats why I was concerned about torquing them up. Figured I would ask the experts before I ended up snapping a bolt lol. I will just tighten it up and be done with it.

Another thing I noted in this install: the clamps that hold the springs in their perches are tightened as much as possible and bottomed out but do not hold either spring in tight. Only thing holding spring in its perch is the weight of the truck. Im assuming this is ok as long as I don't hyperextend the spring while 4wheelin. I noted that the new springs even though the coils are thicker, the pigtail at the bottom of the spring is tighter than the original spring not allowing as much interference with the clamps.

Will post some pics up of the rig once I get the ass end completed.

 

[Shran]

Not all 91's and 92's come with a D35.

My dad has a '92 that has a D28. It is a supercab truck that has a 2.9, A4LD and a 7.5. Pretty much ALL of the undesirable drivetrain options... and power windows, power locks, etc... and it's red, on red, on red, on red. I hate that truck but it has refused to die so far.

Just as another fun example... you would think that truck being heavier would have got a D35... but I also had a 1991 single cab, short box, 4x4 with a 4 cylinder, with power steering and NO other options, that had a D35 in the front. And 4.10 gears!!!

 

[scotts90ranger]

I was out wheeling once and dropped a coil, once I limped it back to camp we wrapped a steel zip tie around the coils and buckets, did like 5 loops before putting the tag end into the holding part... ran those for YEARS, I did make J hooks to go to the bolt holes on the buckets...

Ah, an '89 axle, you'll get that , I think I ended up selling my 4.10 geared D28 and 7.5 combo for either $100 or $200 after I swapped do D35/8.8...

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Soo… my Choptop I have J-hooks for a 95 F-150 holding the top of the coils to the buckets. I just picked an appropriate place and drilled a hole to put a bolt and make them work

 

[franklin2]

I thought the shocks limited the droop and kept the spring in place. I suppose that was the stock setup though.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I thought the shocks limited the droop and kept the spring in place. I suppose that was the stock setup though.

Most shocks are not really designed for use as a limit strap…

 

[SenorNoob]

That tends to make them leak.

 

[franklin2]

So what limits the travel in a stock suspension? The brake line

 

[rebuild83]

So what limits the travel in a stock suspension? The brake line

the sway bars kinda of help limit the springs if you run them. If your worried about the spring separating from the upper saddle you can make or buy some J- hooks to hold the spring in place. but these don't limit the i beams. If you do severe off roading, rock crawling, ravine crossing straps are a good investment.