I finally got around to replacing my radius arm brackets so while I was there I decided to put some new bushings on as well. I purchased the energy suspension bushings from Auto Zone part # 4.7110R. The problem is they appear to be deep when assembled. When I have the bushings stacked in place with the arm inside the bracket the washer on. The very end is flush with the end of the arm so there is no room to thread the bolt on. I know I have the position of the bushings correct. I was thinking that I need to get a big c-clamp to compress the bushings so I can get the nut on. Has anybody had this problem before, any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

When I put mine in I noticed the same thing. However, I was able to get the nut to catch a couple of threads and then use the nut to pull it all together. I would try squishing them in a clamp or a vise for 10-15 minutes then try and install them.

 

I'm having the same issue with duralast poly bushings. The include a black spacer which appears to be for the rear side of the bracket but no threads show for the nut. I was thinking the spacer wasn't needed for this application ( f150 4x4) but I don't want to leave it off without confirmation.

Thoughts?

 

I didn't have this problem, but if I did, I'd put a come-along on the front axle and pull it back towards the rear just a bit.

 

I tried the come along approach but ultimately this compressed the front portion of the bushing down till the rear portion wouldn't fit in the bracket hole any longer (i.e. the radium arm stud was too far out of square at this point). In any case, like I was saying, this would require compressing the bushing down at least 3/4 inch (we're talking incredible amount of tension to put on the axle)...not quite sure where to go but to just leave out the spacer...im gonna try compressing the bushing for 15 min in a vice but im not sure where thats gonna leave me...

thanks to all that have contributed so far...

 

this seems odd. It was a little close when I did mine recently, but with a little force I got the nut started (mine were Moog K80007 thermoplastic ones). If you would need to compress the bushing 3/4" then something seems wrong.

Can you post a pic?

 

yes i can grab a picture this afternoon. I should clarify that I meant that 3/4 inch compression would be required to have the nut installed and have at least 2-3 threads showing past the nut (ie. properly installed). The amount is would have to compress to get the nut started with the black spacer, rear bushing and washer is prolly more like 1/4 inch, but that's still pretty substantial compression with these poly bushings...then after getting the nut to grab it would be another 1/2 inch...

 

OK here are some pics. I dont have any pressure on the bushing at this point but you can see how far the bushing arm threads are within the rear part of the bushing. There is no room for the washer or to start the nut. With the comealong, i was able to get the smallest amount of thread out, but still not enough. I havent tried compressing the bushing in a vice yet...

 

Ok here are links to the photos. I dont have any pressure on the arm right now but you can see in the closer one that the stud doesn't clear the end of the rear bushing half. With pressure (come along) this was showing may be 1 thread but I dont even have the washer on yet, so there would be a ways to go before the nut could grab. I've tightened the comealong as far as was doing any good and i would still be at least 1/4-1/2 inch short of getting the nut on...

11_zps5722b1bf.jpg Photo by sdshipe | Photobucket

22_zpse7ec6ff5.jpg Photo by sdshipe | Photobucket

 

I've never done a an R&R on these...but. It looks to me like the big bushing needs to be turned around?

 

Here is what mine looks like. I think your issue is that black spacer ring. It looks to be way to big.

 

Evan P, did you have as much extra space as the OP did between the front shield and the bushing before you tightened down the nut? To me it seems like that is the wrong front bushing. The bushing should fill out that shield.





It seems your not the first person to have this problem either. Check out this thread:
http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...ad.php?t=52302

 

The more I look at this the more I really think you may have the wrong bushings.

My Moog bushings fit right into that cup, just like this:

 

My bushing was compressed quiet a bit when I installed it, but I dont know if it was that much. Mine have been in there over a year. I will note that the part number he has is different than the ones that I used. Mine were Energy part #4.7109R. Don't know what the difference would be. I will see if I can dig anything up.

 

I'll have to snap a pic of mine cause I believe mine are the same way as evans