radius arm bushings old
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: nevada
radius arm bushings old
My radius arm bushings are hard with little chunks missing.
Besides needing replacement could bad bushings add to uncontroled wander. Even with a new steering box it want to wander like mad. Need your expertise.
Besides needing replacement could bad bushings add to uncontroled wander. Even with a new steering box it want to wander like mad. Need your expertise.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 394
Likes: 13
From: 13th Colony
radius arm bushings old
Bad bushings will definitely cause it to wander. I recommend cutting off the rivots on the bracket and then replacing the rivets with bolts. That will ease the replacement of the bushings now and in the future. Otherwise, you have to virtually disassemble the entire ball joint assembly to change the bushing. A grinder will take forever, a torch will remove the rivots quicker.
You will want to have a front end alignment after replacing the bushings.
BroncoBasher
You will want to have a front end alignment after replacing the bushings.
BroncoBasher
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
radius arm bushings old
I wouldn't cut off the rivets. You can jack up the truck under the axle, until you have 3-4 inches under the tire, then support the frame on jackstands (you must support the frame, not the axle). Remove the coil spring mount bracket at the top of the coil spring as well as the lower shock mount nut & bolt. Then remove the nut retaining the radius arm bushing, let the jack down (under the axle). Stay clear of the coil spring, as it may spring out with great force. Then roll the tire forward, thus releasing the bushing. Replace the bushing, roll the tire backward, replace the nut, jack the axle back up, torque the nut, replace the spring mount bracket & shock mount nut & bolt, & let the jack down. This isn't a hard job, as I have done it by myself in an afternoon. I think this is a much better option than cutting off the rivets. I agree with broncobasher on the alignment, but not the balljoint disassembly.
Guest
Posts: n/a
radius arm bushings old
Cutt the rivets is easier than it sounds. Rivets should only be on the drivers side. Go to hardware store and pick yourself up some grade 8 harware. You'll propbably have to do the bushings again later on down the road. Cuttin rivets will make it a lot quicker in the future.
Take your truck to a welder with the replament nuts and bolts. the cutter will charge you a few bucks for a few minutes of work.
Bolt on the hardeware and go get it aligned.
Good luck.
Take your truck to a welder with the replament nuts and bolts. the cutter will charge you a few bucks for a few minutes of work.
Bolt on the hardeware and go get it aligned.
Good luck.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kbak
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Dec 21, 2006 06:03 AM
kgrat
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Jun 29, 2001 11:19 PM
