What does it take to replace upper and lower control arms? What tools are needed and what steps are involved? I've got clacking in the front end and it pulls to the right when I brake. The steering itself is very precise, it still seems good.
Can you provide more details on the "clacking" noise, when you notice it the most, while turning, braking, going over a bump etc.... The noise could come from various things and pulling to right, out of adjustment brake, especially from drum brakes, also if brake lining is contaminated with grease/oil, it will pull to one side. Worn strut rod bushings can cause issues too, I would first check that your front drum brakes (gather you still have original brakes), are adjusted properly, then you can at least rule that out, before changing out this and that......... A good alignment shop should be able to check out your front end and point out any worn suspension items. David
I've already eliminated the brakes and alignment as causes. The clacking is more of almost a bang. Happens when i take off from a light, when i brake, and when goimg over bumps
I had this same issue before I rebuilt my suspension, it turned out to be the spring purch was binding up as the rubber was bad
To replace upper, yes. Lower, no. Alignment will be required after replacing either. Often the spring perch rubber has beat out, causing clack. Won't usually cause pulling through.
Something on the left side is not working properly. You could have a seized wheel cylinder or plugged line, there is also a primary and secondary shoe so make sure they were installed right. You could also jack up that corner and make sure the brake applies, spin the wheel and have someone hit the brakes.
Sometimes i can get the brakes adjusted well and it will be fine for a little while. One thing that seems to make it go back to pulling to the right is braking while reversing. Maybe my adjusters are screwed up? And guys, when i talk about the car pulling to the right, i mean i have to have constant pressure on the steering to the left while braking. Sometimes its worse as the brakes warm up, sometimes its better. Its weird. I know for a fact my shoes on the driver front are adjusted out to the drum. Im not losing brake fluid and i've bled my brakes multiple times in the correct order in order to eliminate that as a problem. Clean brake fluid and new master cylinder. What component of the steering geometry or suspension could cause pulling to one side only under braking? Makes no sense to me. Unless something is just that badly worn and old
When LCA bushings wear/elongate it allows the arm to twist causing a constant pull, is somewhat more noticable on braking. Here's a arm from my Cobra Jet(exact same as Mav/Comet). It had pull to left till I rebuilt front end, would not maintain a good toe-in setting. It still has a "clack" in RF that's apparently a spring perch. Excepting for UCA & perches, I've replaced everything, including all steering components.
Assuming you have performed your due diligence in eliminating any issues with the brakes on your Maverick, any number of worn steering components will allow the right wheel to cock to the right on braking in turn allowing a brake pull to the right. What I would do is jack the right front wheel off the ground while leaving the left wheel firmly planted. With the right wheel off the ground grab the right tire and pull it forcibly back and forth as if trying to steer the car with your hands. While doing this you or someone else look for any looseness/movement in the steering components i.e. tie rod ends, idler arm, etc. By using a pry bar under the tire and lifting up and down you can check for worn ball joints and loose wheel bearings. If you find any loose components replace them, then have the alignment reset. Hopefully your braking issue will be resolved.
my drum brakes were a crap shoot to what way they would pull when applied. this was with a complete front end rebuild w/roller perches. I adjusted them to pull to the right when applied so I would know what to expect. I now have SSBC disc brakes up front and Crown Vic in rear...
Sounds like the slack adjusters aren't working. They might just need a good cleaning and lube the threads with antisieze compound. Make sure to have them on their respective sides. One has left hand thread, the other right hand threads. I don't recall offhand which is which though. Make sure they're hung correctly too, where the pawl engages the teeth on the adjuster. Best thing to do though is upgrade to front discs. As for the suspension, the best way here is to replace everything at once and be done with it instead of piecemeal.
I overlooked something on the drivers side. The previous owner had installed the shoes improperly. i fixed that and it made a huge difference. Im gonna get new rubber for the strut rods also.
