I have a 97 F250HD 4x4, crew cab with the 7.3L Power Stroke. I have to replace the pivot bushing. The Ford manual I have doesn`t explaine how to do it. I`m retired military living in Germany and they don`t have a garage who can help. My questions are 1: do I have to drop the front axel? 2: can i remove the bracket for the axel pivot bushing and the long bolt and press the bushing out with a ball joint press? 3: do I have to jack up the truck and have to jack under the axel arm?

Like I said the local Ford dealer only works on German cars and the Army garage is closed and won`t reopen so we are at the hands of the local Germans or we do it our self.

Thanks for the help. Bob

 

IDK, the Ford manual says to :
But I might be inclined to try it your way.

 

you have to support the front of the truck at the frame, but I believe the axle will stay roughly in place with the leaf spring and ubolts.
You will need a jack under the beam at the pivot point to lower it down and lift it back into place.
I would leave the brackets on the frame, and remove the one pivot bolt to release each beam.
Honestly if you can get new ubolts made, i would fully remove the front axle from under the truck. Makes everything 1000% easier

 

Thanks for the info. U bolts would be hard to get here in Germany. A friend sent me pivot bushings from the states. I will get a set of jack stands and jack the front up. Then as you said get a jack ubder the arms and remove the one bolt and srop the arm down. Then use my ball joint tool and press the old one out. Clean up the arm from rust and press the new bushing in. Raise the arm and rebolt it. Is there a torque spec for the bolt ?

The next beer is on me... Prost

 

Tighten to 149-201 Nm (110-148 Lb-Ft)