Rancho Radius Arm Brackets Bending | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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Rancho Radius Arm Brackets Bending

RangerX

Elite Ranger
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City, State
Omao, Kaua’i
Year, Model & Trim Level
'93 Ranger XLT 4X4
I have the Rancho 2 1/2" lift, have had it for four years, and the drop down brackets were slowly bending rearward. One side had bent a good inch! I went back to 4WPW and they exchanged the bent ones for new ones, as Rancho has a lifetime warranty. I'm wondering, has this happened to anyone else? I don't drive THAT hard offroad!
 



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It happened to me but it was because I landed on a rock and bent it. Other than that, nothing like what you mentioned has ever happened.
 






Scott,
I like your idea. Maybe I'll do that if or when they bend again.
 






Scott,
Being a mech engineer, I know that steel is a pretty strong and maleable material, ie. your leaf springs, frame, axle tubes, etc...
Mine haven't bent much, having the urethane bushings, but I think welding gussets to support them is a grand idea!
Thanks! Dead Link Removed

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"Don't go where the road don't go." -Ringo Starr

Wil - '92 EB
 






FYI:
I have the Rancho also, and after some hard rock crawling, I've bent the brackets back.
I Carefully put a hydraulic jack between the bracket and the rear axle front spring hanger, and jack it back to position.
Be real careful you don't loose the jack if and when it slips! I use straps on the jack and blocks to restrict them form flying.
Good Luck Dead Link Removed

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"Don't go where the road don't go." -Ringo Starr

Wil - '92 EB
 






I have the Rancho kit also, and my bracket bent once, also. As they did on my friend's also.

You are lucky that Rancho replaced the bracket. After talking with their engineers, they refused to replace the bracket under warrenty. Yes, I drive off-road, but I do not abuse my truck.

I ended up taking a piece of 3/16" steel plate, and wrapped it around the bracket, welding it along the entire length. The bracket will not bend now. I don't know what Rancho thinks about that, but in my mind their original design is flawed.

Roadkill:
You really should replace your brackets instead of straightening them out. As the metal bends back and forth, it will weaken.


------------------
Scott
sjbosso@mindspring.com
 






MY "SUPER LIFT" DRIVERS SIDE BRAKET BENT DURING A SUDDEN STOP (REAR-ENDED-FENDER-BENDER). I USED A "COME-ALONG" TO BRING IT INTO POSITION AND THEN ADDED A 1/4" SKID PLATE FROM THE TRANNY CROSSMEMBER TO THE DROP DOWN BRACKET. IT TIES EVERYTHING TOGETHER WHILE PROVIDING PROTECTION FOR THE DRIVE TRAIN.
 






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