Leveling springs/front suspension questions.

[Geeshik]

Okay, so my springs came in and i was pulling everything apart to put them in, but the spring perch stud and hardware is rusted badly and i can't reuse them. Does aftermarket make these at all, or is it time for another trip to the stealership?

Also, i found out my front wheel bearings and rotors are shot and need to be replaced. There is actually a bearing inside the spindle that supports the axle shaft and needs to be replaced also because it was rusted up. Are there supposed to be seals to keep the moisture out of the back of the spindle?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

No. The Rough Country leveling coils i ordered are just coils. i don't need add a leafs for the rear. My truck has plenty of rear axle lift due to the lift blocks. I just need to get the front up a bit so i am not risking a busted front axle or frame every time i hit a bump. I might go the washer route too if it's not enough. It cost $150 bones after shipping through Performance OffRoad Center. When i get them in, i'll let you know and post some before and after pics. i always wanted to do that.

For the record the high rider wasn't offered on the 93+ trucks. They were a factory leveling kit, they raised the front of the truck up to match the rear. Every 4x4 has the blocks in the rear, both my '85 Custom and my '86 XL parts truck do.

 

[Geeshik]

Okay, so maybe i don't have the high rider package. All i know was that Napa listed two different length shocks for the rear on my truck and the ones that fit are for the ones with the high rider option. I'm not looking for a fight or anything, just help with the truck that i have.

And for the record, 85_Ranger4x4, not every 4x4 has lift blocks on the rear. My '90 4x4 does not. It sits low front and back and has 14inch tires on it. Looking at it, you would probably say it had to be a 2wd.

 

[4x4junkie]

Yes, there should be (I think depending on year) either a seal inside the spindle just in front of that bearing, or a seal (and plastic shim) around the base of the axle shaft that seals against the spindle when it's inserted into it. In both cases there will also be a large rubber seal that seals against the flat rear surface of the spindle.

As for the bolt, a dealer or junkyard would be the easiest places to get replacements, although a specialty fasteners place might have something that'll work as well.

 

[Geeshik]

I'm still trying to locate all the seals for this axle. I have most of them though now. The one for the spindles are not listed at the dealership. I removed the spindle bearings and seals tonight and there are definitely seals that press into the back of the spindle on top of the bearing. I have the large seal and the seal with the plastic shim. There were some on my axle, but it's hard to tell how they went on because they were damaged so badly. Do you know how they go???

I got the spring perch studs from the stealership today. They cost me 40 bucks!!! Ouch. Between the seals, bearings, and all the u-joints, these axles can about bankrupt a person. I just hope that it lasts as long as i plan on keeping it.

 

[Geeshik]

Okay, i found that i had the spindle seals the whole time. The thing that threw me was the plastic washer attached to them. When i pulled it apart, my truck had plastic washers by the axle, but they were just sort of floating around separate from the spindle seal.