Body mounts ? Hard to replace?

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Jul 29, 2003 | 06:22 PM

Steve_Uzi

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From: USA

Body mounts ? Hard to replace?

Well, I was washing my Bronco the other day and while I was scrubbing the drivers fender it moved! I mean I was scrubbing a bit hard cause the truck was dirty...

So I popped the hood and grabbed the fender and pushed and pulled towards the engine and well.... The whole radiator support and passenger fender moved with the drivers fender... So I think it is safe to guess that the front body/radiator rubber mounts are Shot...

My thoughts are that the rest of them aren't in the best of shape either..

Has anyone every replaced ALL 5 pairs of them? is it a Pain or whaT?

Jul 29, 2003 | 09:38 PM

restorit

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From: Bismarck, ND

Body mounts ? Hard to replace?

I replaced those on my '85 a couple of years back (I used polyurethane replacements). The biggest pain has to be the three pair between the two end pairs. Over the years, the metal cups and sleeves that form the "core" of the bushings will sort of "mushroom" together, forming a solid metal core inside the rubber bushing. After removing the bolts (through access holes / covers in the floor pans), I spent several hours coating the cores with penetrating oil and pounding on a 1/2" drift punch with a small sledge to get them to separate. (instructions should be included with your new bushing set...... plan on new cups / sleeves, as well.) After removing the old ones, reinstallation of the new parts was straightforward. I simply used a bottle jack to jack up one section of the body, at a time, at each bushing. Cutting the old rubber out and using a Sawzall to cut through the metal core may be easier than my method, too. Leave yourself some time, though. Hope this helps!

Jul 30, 2003 | 10:19 PM

justshootme84

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From: SE Texas

Body mounts ? Hard to replace?

I second that post!!! The main body bushings are a real bear to separate and you stand a good chance of having to retap the threads or replace the whole sleeve assembly. The worst one has to be the passenger-side core support bushing/mount, since it's close enogh to the battery that it corrodes beyond hope. You can pound all day with a sledge and it won't budge! The secret is that if you cut away the rubber part, you can see that the lower sleeve has a hex-shaped head that you might get ahold of with grip pliers or a big wrench to separate it from the top half. If it's rusted really bad, then you'll have to cut it and replace with a new mount. The new mount has the rubber formed around the metal, so if you want to use poly bushings, just cut away the new rubber. Plan on taking at least one full weekend on an older truck!

Aug 2, 2003 | 02:48 PM

Amblansman

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Joined: Jul 2003

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From: Oklahoma City

Body mounts ? Hard to replace?

Also be sure and check with your friendly Ford dealer before you get too happy cutting on the body-mount hardware. I found out that they are not available for my'89. The "mushrooming" that restorit talks about is actually done during manufacturing to lock the bodymount together. The worse one for me was on the driver's side under the clutch pedal.(couldn't get a good swing at the old mounting sleeve) When you put the new mounts on, you will probably want to grind off the bulge on the inner sleeve to get than back together.
Do one side at a time to keep from shifting the body on the frame, and if you see a lot of cancer on the body itself where the mounts attach, maybe you better take it to a body and frame shop. $$$$
Good luck.

Aug 2, 2003 | 11:18 PM

steve83

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From: Memphis, TN

Body mounts ? Hard to replace?

You don't need to reinstall the upper part of the sleeve, so there's no need to grind on the lower sleeve. All the kits I've ever bought came with new washers to go on top.