Service the TTB by replacing pivot bushings, both ball joints, and the camber/caster alignment bushing on each side — these are the four parts that wear out and turn a stock-handling Bronco II into a wandering, tire-eating mess.
The Twin Traction Beam front axle on the Bronco II is two independent beams that pivot off a pair of frame-mounted bushings. From 1984 through November 1989 the truck used the reverse-cut Dana 28. After that build date, Ford switched to the larger Dana 35 TTB. Both share the same pivot geometry and the same wear pattern: pivot bushings ovalize, ball joints loosen, and the upper ball joint's camber bushing sags — and your wheels rotate through their arc on tired rubber. The fix is to refresh all four wear points on each side at once. Doing one at a time is a waste of an alignment.
Park on level ground and chock the rear. Lift the front, set jack stands under the frame behind the radius arm mounts, and let the axles hang. Pull both front wheels. Disconnect the sway bar end links, the shock lowers, and the tie rods at the spindle. Support each beam with a second jack. Pop the upper and lower ball joints from the spindle — a pickle fork works but trashes the boots; a screw-type separator is worth borrowing from a parts store. The spindle and brake assembly come off as a unit. Set them aside on a clean rag — don't leave the rotor hanging on the brake hose.
Removing the pivot bushings is the dirty part of the job. From the back side of the beam, drive the mushroomed lip in with a punch, then chase the bushing out with a chisel or a long drift. Some shops freeze the new bushings to make the press fit more manageable; a 12-ton shop press is the cleanest install path. A ball joint press kit from any tool truck loaner program also works. Press the new bushings flush on both sides and confirm the beam still pivots freely after the through-bolt is torqued — 120-150 ft-lbs for the pivot bolt.
Press in new Moog ball joints (or equivalent) per the kit instructions, reseat the spindle with new cotter pins, and install a fresh K8975-style camber/caster bushing. Stock K8975s come pre-set at 0° offset. If your truck was lifted, you need an adjustable bushing — see the alignment guide. Get the truck aligned within 50 miles of the repair.
| Part | Vendor | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| Axle pivot bushing — driver side | Rock Auto / Amazon | ~$28 |
| Axle pivot bushing — passenger side | Rock Auto / Amazon | ~$28 |
| Upper ball joint | Rock Auto | ~$35 |
| Lower ball joint | Rock Auto | ~$40 |
| Camber/caster alignment bushing (factory) | Rock Auto | ~$18 |
Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.