Radius Arm Bushing Replacement
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2017
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Radius Arm Bushing Replacement
So, I was replacing my passenger side radius arm bushings yesterday and I am having a hell of a time getting everything back into place. I removed the axle pivot bolt as part of the process and I can either get the axle pivot bolt in or the radius arm into the mount, but I can't do both!
Currently, I have the radius arm in the mount and the axle pivot bolt is most of the way though. But on the other side, it is off by around a 1/4". Am I missing something? There doesn't seem to be any way to push or pry it into place. I have watched a few videos on this process that describe it as "tricky", but this seems impossible!
Currently, I have the radius arm in the mount and the axle pivot bolt is most of the way though. But on the other side, it is off by around a 1/4". Am I missing something? There doesn't seem to be any way to push or pry it into place. I have watched a few videos on this process that describe it as "tricky", but this seems impossible!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 5,081
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From: N.W. Alabama
leave the radius arm bolted up, and use a ratchet strap, or come-along, to pull axle towards the hole to line up. about the 3:30 minute they tell you.
axle pivot bushing replacement - Google Search
axle pivot bushing replacement - Google Search
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2017
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leave the radius arm bolted up, and use a ratchet strap, or come-along, to pull axle towards the hole to line up. about the 3:30 minute they tell you.
Like the google search, yeah I've been there already, trust me.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
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If the method torq’ta mentioned doesn’t work there is another option since the spring is removed. Loosen the top stud and bottom bolt where the arm connects to the beam. This will allow the arm to pivot.
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Junior User
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Are you also replacing the pivot bushings? Now is the time to do that otherwise removing that bolt to replace the radius arm bushing isn’t necessary.
If the method torq’ta mentioned doesn’t work there is another option since the spring is removed. Loosen the top stud and bottom bolt where the arm connects to the beam. This will allow the arm to pivot.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 630
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From: New Hampshire
I just replaced both sides of mine this weekend. The passenger side was way more difficult to get back in. I found that the new front side bushing was getting caught on the hole in the radius support bracket. I greased up the bushings and set everything in place then hit the bushing and watched it pop back in. I was able to get the nut on by a thread and start tightening it in.
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Junior User
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I just replaced both sides of mine this weekend. The passenger side was way more difficult to get back in. I found that the new front side bushing was getting caught on the hole in the radius support bracket. I greased up the bushings and set everything in place then hit the bushing and watched it pop back in. I was able to get the nut on by a thread and start tightening it in.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 630
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From: New Hampshire
While I had tension on the radius arm and had a jack under it to get it as close to straight as I could, I hit just the bushing and saw it pop in. You only need to get 1 or 2 threads on the nut and it will pull in once you start tightening it. What bushings are you installing?
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Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
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With the back wheels chocked and the jack stands in a good location, it shouldn’t go anywhere.
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Junior User
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What bushings are you installing?
Well, I finally got it back together. I took everything apart and started at the axle pivot bushing, putting that bolt through first. Next when I lined up the radius arm bushing, it was still outside the hole in the mount. I put a ratchet strap around both radius arms and cinched the strap to pull them towards each other and the bushing popped in the mount. Took a bit of tension, but worked out well. Thanks for all the comments/help!
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