Rear Suspension Sensor Broken Link

[KCarl]

Anybody snap a rear suspension sensor link yet?

I lifted the rear 1.3"ish (per some geometry calcs) from installing the Rough Country Front leveling tophat space on top of the rear coilovers. Yes, they fit the spacers itself is 1.5" thick but should provide less than that lift. Anywho, the rear axle can droop further than it it did before by about the 1.3".

When putting this all back together I did notice that the suspension sensors were basically at the point of overextension. I suspect that this is why the link broke at the link ball joint. I have sensor protective covers so they have better protection and could have been hit by something still but here we are.

I'll be seeking a solution to replace the link with stock and see if I can find an extended link. It kinda looks like the link pulled through the sensor arm which would support the overextension theory.

Fun fact, I found that this broke after my headlights were aiming way too high. Turns out, the rear sensors control the leveling headlights. I hooked up Forscan and found that the rear was reading that my rear ride height was +9in while my rear right was -1in or so. Right now I can reach down and move the sensor arm up and down and watch the headlights move all the way up and down (kinda fun).

Sponsored

 

[John E Davies]

I would contact Rough Country to see if they can help. I am sure that if the front spacers indeed do work in back, they should offer an extended arm set or brackets to correct your issue.

Why did you install the lift, to level your overlanding load? If so, a set of Ranger Raptor specific rear airbags would be appropriate, and they would not alter the suspension geometry and shock programming (and headlight aim)!!! Have you noticed any changes in the ride with the top hats?

One option is to install limiting straps to get rid of the extra droop, but I can’t see that being a very good choice. That just puts an expensive band aid fix on top of a very poor modification. ;(

https://www.tmrcustoms.com/collections/limit-straps

https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/thre...-airbag-suspension-works-on-usa-trucks.17196/

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Ultra45]

I had a similar issue on my F350. I broke the ride height sensor when I installed the level kit and had to replace it. For the F350's there are a couple of companies making extension brackets. I just replaced the sensor (which wasn't cheap) and have not installed the extension bracket (which also wasn't cheap).

 

[TurboRanger]

You can go to a hardware store and buy some Stainless Heim joints it will never break again

 

[John E Davies]

You can go to a hardware store and buy some Stainless Heim joints it will never break again

Instead it will just break the sensors. The link should be the weak point, to act like a fuse.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[TurboRanger]

You could use plastic all thread between the Heims

 

[KCarl]

I would contact Rough Country to see if they can help. I am sure that if the front spacers indeed do work in back, they should offer an extended arm set or brackets to correct your issue.

Why did you install the lift, to level your overlanding load? If so, a set of Ranger Raptor specific rear airbags would be appropriate, and they would not alter the suspension geometry and shock programming (and headlight aim)!!! Have you noticed any changes in the ride with the top hats?

One option is to install limiting straps to get rid of the extra droop, but I can’t see that being a very good choice. That just puts an expensive band aid fix on top of a very poor modification. ;(

https://www.tmrcustoms.com/collections/limit-straps

https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/thre...-airbag-suspension-works-on-usa-trucks.17196/

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

Rough Country doesn't advertise for rear use, they don't have anything. Lift is installed to increase ground clearance and I have airbags. Lift wasn't done to compensate for sag from weight, pumping up the airbags to increase ground clearance would hurt ride. Ride is good, I don't have 1:1 comparison cause of different loads and versions of setup of truck that I had. But ride is still great and I just was bombing across desserts (.....sensor breaking speed). Limiting straps don't sound great. Sensor just needs an adjustment to geometry, my solution now is a hammer and pliers based adjustment and resting sensors with forscan.

 

[KCarl]

You could use plastic all thread between the Heims

I was diving in to fab a new longer link with bits and bobs but I ended up adjusting the brackets with hammer and pliers to allow for the slightly different geometry and reset sensors with forscan.

 

[JeffJeff]

Anybody snap a rear suspension sensor link yet?

I lifted the rear 1.3"ish (per some geometry calcs) from installing the Rough Country Front leveling tophat space on top of the rear coilovers. Yes, they fit the spacers itself is 1.5" thick but should provide less than that lift. Anywho, the rear axle can droop further than it it did before by about the 1.3".

When putting this all back together I did notice that the suspension sensors were basically at the point of overextension. I suspect that this is why the link broke at the link ball joint. I have sensor protective covers so they have better protection and could have been hit by something still but here we are.

I'll be seeking a solution to replace the link with stock and see if I can find an extended link. It kinda looks like the link pulled through the sensor arm which would support the overextension theory.

Fun fact, I found that this broke after my headlights were aiming way too high. Turns out, the rear sensors control the leveling headlights. I hooked up Forscan and found that the rear was reading that my rear ride height was +9in while my rear right was -1in or so. Right now I can reach down and move the sensor arm up and down and watch the headlights move all the way up and down (kinda fun).

Hey. Did you ever find a good fix for the rear shock sensor arms. I have the same problem when I installed my 2/1 leveling kit. lol.(whoops) I used a screw to fix it and it seems to be fine.. but I do wanna know where to buy a whole new assembly.

 

[TurboRanger]

You can go to the hardware store and get a stainless hyme joint and a longer bolt

 

[nedmo]

We make a pivot ball upgrade for this very reason https://goatoffroad.com.au/products/next-gen-ranger-raptor-ride-height-sensor-pivot-ball-upgrade

 

[sikedsyko]

We make a pivot ball upgrade for this very reason https://goatoffroad.com.au/products/next-gen-ranger-raptor-ride-height-sensor-pivot-ball-upgrade

Does this ball work on the lower part of the link, on the trailing arm? Mine snapped the ball off the bottom, not the top.

 

[JeffJeff]

Does this ball work on the lower part of the link, on the trailing arm? Mine snapped the ball off the bottom, not the top.

The ball rips off the top arm and breaks into the lower female heim connector. Thats what it looks like to me on the 3rd picture on the website. You have to take out the mail ball from the female part and then insert the new piece through the upper arm. I just bought this from goat as well

 

[nedmo]

Does this ball work on the lower part of the link, on the trailing arm? Mine snapped the ball off the bottom, not the top.

The rear lower side is very sturdy, im yet to have seen that one broken. The bracket its attached to should be a simple part to buy from Ford. I dont thimk our kit would be the right choice here.

 

[sikedsyko]

The rear lower side is very sturdy, im yet to have seen that one broken. The bracket its attached to should be a simple part to buy from Ford. I dont thimk our kit would be the right choice here.

lol I’m an idiot, I swear I saw it broken at the bottom, but went out there and confirmed it’s broken where this part is meant to go.

Sponsored