Rusty Radius Arms

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Mar 29, 2026 | 08:48 PM

djhoosier

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5th Wheeling

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 27

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Rusty Radius Arms

Planned on replacing bushings until this was removed. Not having much luck finding used in better shape, at least online or locally.

After much time searching for anyone who might have fixed in forums, youtube, etc...not much luck either.

Anyone ever built up with weld and was successful in use? Concerned about adding stress, but no seeing many options.

'74 F-350 2WD

Mar 29, 2026 | 09:53 PM

tbear853

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Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 10,756

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From: The Shenandoah Valley

Sure, that can be built up and sized. I wouldn't be afraid of them.

Just to expand on my reply ..... with a 2wd, that radius arm does not see much stress. Most of it's life is spent in compression like a push rod as the front axle / tires is pushed down the road or over a curb, etc ... keeping the front axle out in front in a controlled arc. It controls the roll of an I beam only under braking and at the end, it has near abouts 3 feet of leverage. Even if it were a 4wd, it only gets the additional task of controlling axle torque under power, and being forged steel, it's plenty stout. The weld build up and resizing would strengthen it, and lead to a better fit in the bushings themselves.

Last edited by tbear853; Apr 1, 2026 at 09:19 AM. Reason: to expand

Mar 29, 2026 | 10:47 PM

77&79F250

Moderator & parts slinger

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 50,146

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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county

Are you a professionial welder with professionial welding equip? If you have a 110 V wire feed and are a hobby sport welder, that equip is not going to do it. But I bet any pro welding/fab shop or pro mobile welder with a 220 stick or wire feed could properly build and strengthen that back up to the required radius.

That is criticial a suspension part to NOT mess with on a none professionial welder level IMO. Also insp the raidus arm bushing frame mounted bracket holes for excessive wear. Great time to replace them, hope they are bolted on and not riveted on, if you have to repalce them.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/36440197133...BlBMUKy0rc2nZw

Mar 30, 2026 | 06:10 AM

KULTULZ

Cargo Master

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 3,132

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From: W (BY GOD) V

... damn ...

See if you can get a salt-free state take-offs - https://www.car-part.com/

Mar 30, 2026 | 07:08 AM

manicmechanic007

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Joined: Jul 2020

Posts: 10,349

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From: Near Salt Lake City

I would braze weld a sleeve over that rust
Yours is about the worst I've seen
We used to wrap them with electrical tape and reinstall new bushings
Yours is a little beyond that
I'd be welding (brass rod brazing)
Maybe I'd use thinwall pipe like conduit and fill the void with braze rod

Mar 30, 2026 | 08:58 AM

Mark8man

Laughing Gas

Joined: Feb 2011

Posts: 995

Likes: 317

Can it be repaired? Yes. But thats not the desireable/best solution. Be persistent contacting salvage yards in arid rust free climates. These surely aren't a high demand used part and shouldn't be terribly hard to find. I am not sure if an F-250 arm is same as 350. Maybe someone with parts book can post what is compatible. So find that out first, and then that helps focus your search.
The only way I'd weld it up and grind it back to round is if the budget is already blown and you must get truck on road now.

Edit. You aren't first one ot have this problem. Just found this
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...adius-arm.html

Last edited by Mark8man; Mar 30, 2026 at 09:00 AM.