1998 5.0L LCA bump stops

[bandrewp]

Please forgive this newbie question but how close should my LCAs and the bump stop be?

My 1998 5.0L v8's front end seems to sit very low such that the lower control arms are perhaps 1 inch from the bump stop. When I hit bumps or speed bumps, etc., they hit harder than they should. I replaced the front end suspension earlier in the year so its not a bushing or shock/strut issue (I believe). If I crank on the torsion bars, I do get front end lift however the bump stop is mounted near the LCA mounts so that the angle of the LCA is higher but the bump stop is still about 1 inch from the top of the LCA.

 

[410Fortune]

1” Or more is about right
If you think about a lever, 1” at the bump stop results at about 3-4” of travel at the tire

So anyways the reason you are slamming on your bump stops all day and no amount of adjustment with the torsion bar bolts will help is because

Your torsion bar pads are worn out

I had the same issue on our 03 sport trax…260k miles and I just refreshed the entire truck and suspension…. She was on the bump stops all day with even the slightest obstacle. I threw in some low mile Kevlar t bar pads from a 90k mile 01 and it rides like new again, never hits the bump stops

You can buy new pads on eBay or Amazon

Basically you will have to unload both torsion bar bolts a large 2 jaw puller or t bar tools works for this… remove the adjuster
Bolts and hardware completely, drop the t bar pad cover and the t bar will hang at the key. This allows you to unbolt the pad holder and change them out
Measure the truck before you dismantle so you can put the bolts back in to the same depth and then get the truck back to the same height

 

[bandrewp]

This makes complete sense. My pads are stock and essentially crumbling. I'll get some new ones and report back. Thank you!!

 

[410Fortune]

Night and day difference on our sport trac!

This forum
Rules

 

[Fordtruckfan89]

I think ford still sells them too. they come with a steel plate. For what it's worth, same thing is on a 98-11 ranger

 

[410Fortune]

You can also replace them with standard or upgraded bump stops that bolt in

https://a.co/d/2sd4o7c

That’s one style