Ouch!
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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Ouch!
Hey guys I am new to this forum, and I am experiencing a complexing problem that I dont know is fixeable I would like your opinion on the matter.
I was out doing my normal four wheeling activities in my 96' Eddie B. F-150 when suddenly one of my manual locking hubs struck a tree, because the damn things jut out so much farther from the truck. I took no damage to the body and the truck is immaculate. However upon examining the suspension and frame damage I was unsure if the work was worth it.
I took of the drivers side ttb arm by the bracket, it didnt seem bent but I did it just to make sure the thing already went through tires! The Radius arm took most of the wallop which is what I am sure the designed it to do. But I have this one other problem, after examining the frame for some time I concluded that it had a degree of bend to it which is actually not to disgusting, but I am wondering if because of the fact that this is where the radius arm mounts if that would have a degree of effect on my allignment, its also very tediously noticed on the body of the truck if you try to align the molding from the cab to the box.
So what should I do, I thought I might loosen up the Drivers body mounts and maybe try to straighten her back out with a degree of heat or is it TOAST!! I am optimistic but lack experience with these trucks just looking for some experienced opinions.
Thank ya,
Josh Steenwyk
I was out doing my normal four wheeling activities in my 96' Eddie B. F-150 when suddenly one of my manual locking hubs struck a tree, because the damn things jut out so much farther from the truck. I took no damage to the body and the truck is immaculate. However upon examining the suspension and frame damage I was unsure if the work was worth it.
I took of the drivers side ttb arm by the bracket, it didnt seem bent but I did it just to make sure the thing already went through tires! The Radius arm took most of the wallop which is what I am sure the designed it to do. But I have this one other problem, after examining the frame for some time I concluded that it had a degree of bend to it which is actually not to disgusting, but I am wondering if because of the fact that this is where the radius arm mounts if that would have a degree of effect on my allignment, its also very tediously noticed on the body of the truck if you try to align the molding from the cab to the box.
So what should I do, I thought I might loosen up the Drivers body mounts and maybe try to straighten her back out with a degree of heat or is it TOAST!! I am optimistic but lack experience with these trucks just looking for some experienced opinions.
Thank ya,
Josh Steenwyk
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,623
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From: Lockport, NY USA
First, replace all off the obviously bent suspension parts and brackets, then take it to a repair shop for an alignment. If they can get everything back close to spec then your fine. If not and the frame is bent you need to go to a body shop and have them put the truck on the frame machine and pull it back into place. Heating it is not a good idea as it could cause the frame to crack in the future. Plus in order for the truck to drive right everything has to be aligned perfectly (like to within a tenth of an inch or less) so pounding or bending it back by eye might not work very well.
-Jon
-Jon