front end popping!!! WHY???

[TNridgerunner]

I have an 86 Bronco II and the front end pops when I back up and then pops again when i go back foward. It also feel like the body or the frontend is trying to out run each other when I am slowing down. It sort of bucks like an axle is not round but bent. I havent been able to figure it out and had it to two different shops with no luck. I am looking for some suggestions or others who has had this same probelm.

 

[shane96ranger]

What kind of shape are your radius arm bushings in?

 

[4x4junkie]

Is this only in 4WD it wants to buck? or all the time?

 

[1989Bii]

Mine does that too. I'm thinking it could be something like the body bushings, or brakes. I know what your talking about though, its like a clunk in the front end when you brake or go from reverse to forward. I've kind of got used to it, cause it does it all the time even when its not in 4 wheel drive.

 

[unoleisu]

On my 87 BII, I had a bad radius arm bushing that was doing that, until I put in a new one. Later, a similar issue developed with my body bushings, when I did my body lift. A mounting bracket was rusted out a little, and I spanned it with a large washer. Apparently this allowed some movement causeing the popping sound. I finally welded a steel plate on top of the mount. That fixed it.

 

[TNridgerunner]

The best way to describe it is when you slow down the passanger side feels like it shifts back and forth and it doesnt matter if its in 2 wheel or 4 wheel

 

[04sd]

Either radius arm bushings or the axle moving in the front end of the radius arm.

 

[shane96ranger]

The best way to describe it is when you slow down the passanger side feels like it shifts back and forth and it doesnt matter if its in 2 wheel or 4 wheel

From your description, I still think radius arm bushings. Your brackets could also be loose if they've been drilled and bolted back in.

 

[ksum25]

Pull the back of the radius arm bushing off and take a look at the bracket. I found on my Bronco II the old owner had a worn bushing on the pass side at some time. I installed new bushings but the pass side was still moving up and down due to the radius arm bracket all worn out. The radius arm was also worn real bad due to the metal to metal contact. I ended up making new radius arm and brackets to fix the problem

 

[ASMODEAN]

Look at your front brake calipers an make sure the pins are still there. its just above and to the right of the bleeder.

heres the bottom one on the same caliper.

As for radius arm bushings... Mine are toast. LOL.