Symptoms
Tires wearing on the inside or outside edge, clunks over bumps, wandering, or play when you rock the wheel top to bottom.
The fix, step by step
- Support the frame and unload the front axle.
- Inspect the beam pivot bushings where each beam meets its frame bracket, the radius-arm bushings, the ball joints and the tie-rod ends, and replace whatever is worn.
- Camber on a TTB is set with an offset cam bushing around the upper ball joint, and the right bushing brings worn or lifted beams back into spec.
- On 1984–88 axles the ball joints are in the beam; from 1989 they moved to the knuckle.
- If the truck is lifted, check that it has drop brackets for the beam pivots and radius arms and a dropped pitman arm.
- The Ranger Station warns against kits that lower the passenger beam pivot with a bolt-on drop plate, because the differential can strike it.
- Finish with a proper alignment.
Tools & part numbers
- Jack and stands
- ball-joint press
- pickle fork
- large sockets
- torque wrench.
Where to buy the parts
Camber/caster alignment bushing, 1988 Bronco IIRockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
TTB axle (beam) pivot bushing, 1988 Bronco IIRockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
Ball joints, 1988 Bronco IIRockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
Tie-rod ends, 1988 Bronco IIRockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Ford Bronco II parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.