radius arm bushing install. help!
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 164
Likes: 1
From: The Lost Coast
radius arm bushing install. help!
hey all, so i started on my RA bushing install today, had a hell of a time removing the arm from the bracket. i ended up using a ratcheting strap to pull it out, but now it wont go back in.
i removed the lower shock bolt, removed the upper spring bracket, compressed the spring, and it still wont go in.
to add insult to injury, on the way out of the bracket the threads of the stud on the bracket got mangled.
what am i doing wrong? i'd like to finish this this weekend if at all possible.
thanks!
i removed the lower shock bolt, removed the upper spring bracket, compressed the spring, and it still wont go in.
to add insult to injury, on the way out of the bracket the threads of the stud on the bracket got mangled.
what am i doing wrong? i'd like to finish this this weekend if at all possible.
thanks!
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 710
Likes: 0
When I did mine I removed the TB from the TTB mount on the axle. I also had the axle held in place with a jack stand, only up enough to take the pressure off the mount. I wish I could tell ya more, this was 9 years ago and I have since installed a solid axle. The threads are gonna be an issue. If you can't clean them up with a tap and die set they are cheap at the junk yard.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Rust/Salt Belt in SW Mich
bikey,
Remove the radius arm brackets from the frame by grinding off the rivet heads and punch the rivet through. Replace the rivets with grade 8 fasteners. This is so much easier to do than what you have already been through. I had to replace both of the RA brackets on my truck because they were rusted out. And there is no safety issue using the bolts.
Remove the radius arm brackets from the frame by grinding off the rivet heads and punch the rivet through. Replace the rivets with grade 8 fasteners. This is so much easier to do than what you have already been through. I had to replace both of the RA brackets on my truck because they were rusted out. And there is no safety issue using the bolts.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,008
Likes: 7
From: Austin, TX
I don't see why people have an issue pulling the TTB or I beam forward to pull the radius arm out of the mount, change the bushing, and pull the TTB or I beam back so the radius arm pulls back into the mount. I use a come along to pull it in and out. I changed mine on my F-150 in 30 minutes that way and no I'm not being sarcastic.. Use the come along to pull it back using the rear axle as the hook point and use a ratchet strap to pull the radius arm side to side if needed. It's really quite easy.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
I did my '69 some 20+ years ago, but I ended up dropping it at the side pivot point to gain enough wiggle room.
With the right tools(a sharp air chisel), it's just as quick and no tugging/pulling to get it lined back up.
When I did my '89 last fall, the worst part was getting the arm back far enough to get the nut started again. I used poly bushings and they are so thick the nut wouldn't start back on. Using a 2" rachet strap I was able to pull it back enough to start the nut again.
With the right tools(a sharp air chisel), it's just as quick and no tugging/pulling to get it lined back up.
When I did my '89 last fall, the worst part was getting the arm back far enough to get the nut started again. I used poly bushings and they are so thick the nut wouldn't start back on. Using a 2" rachet strap I was able to pull it back enough to start the nut again.
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