Radius arm bushings
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New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Chicago NW Suburbs
Radius arm bushings
Could someone offer some advice on changing the radius arm bushings on a 1995 F-150 2WD 4.9 L6 XLT, is this a hard job?
I have one on the drivers side that looks like it's still all there but its shifted in an awkward position. Any help would be really be appreciated.
I have one on the drivers side that looks like it's still all there but its shifted in an awkward position. Any help would be really be appreciated.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 257
Likes: 1
From: Wildwood
Its not that bad of a job if you follow the manual step by step. If you take it a garage, do NOT let them remove the rivets on the radius arm bracket and replace them with bolts. This seems to be a quick and dirty way to do it. Happened to me and needless to say I am not happy about it. Something about a factory riveted suspension member that is now bolted just doesnt give me a warm feeling...
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Rockfield, KY
Like Machman said it's not bad but does involve a fair amount of work. What Machman said about removing the rivits and then bolting them is actually a good idea, I think. If you do a search you will find a lot of people having trouble with these rivits loosening a bit and causing some creaking/popping noises. The fix is to remove the rivits and replace with bolts. Wish I'd have known about this prior to replacing mine, I would have knocked the rivits off and made the job a lot easier.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock, TX
Ditto that; knocking out the rivets and replacing them with grade 8 bolts is a great idea that will make things a lot easier for you down the road. If you don't want to remove the rivets, removing the brake line and pulling the suspension towards the front of the vehicle should allow you to remove the bushing.
After you get it all done, I'd recommend getting an alignment since your caster angles will probably change.
After you get it all done, I'd recommend getting an alignment since your caster angles will probably change.
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 566
Likes: 5
From: SC
Drop into the 80-86 truck section. There is a good post on bushing replacement tips by "Graywolf". Search for "radius" and it should come up on the first page of results.
BTW, the procedure is identical on all '80-'96 2 wheel drive trucks. More difficult on 4 wheel drive trucks and big Broncos, but again the same through '80-'96.
BTW, the procedure is identical on all '80-'96 2 wheel drive trucks. More difficult on 4 wheel drive trucks and big Broncos, but again the same through '80-'96.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 657
Likes: 0
From: brimfield township,OH
Machman, There have been alot of posts on these forums about the factory rivets working loose on these frames. Maybe bolts aren't such a bad idea. If they come loose at least you can tighten them.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: maine
I know when I have done it both ways, taking the rivets out was easyer. As far the bolts, they never losend up, even with a 6 inch lift. That had alot to do with me changing them 2 times.
clipper
clipper
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 257
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From: Wildwood
Good point guys. I didnt know about the rivet loosening problem. Maybe not that bad if done correctly.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 75
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From: MN
just change the bushing last month, in fact i had to change one the brackets. i got a bracket from moog and guess what, nuts and bolt came in the kit, stop at the local hardware store and picked up some grade 8 1/2 bolts and lock nuts for the other side, the kit was metric 10.5 i think and had to drill the frame and bracket out to 1/2", 2 1/2 hours ,good to go
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: DE
I just replaced my daidus arm bushing and mounting bracket. IT was not bad at all. Does anyone know how much to torque the radius arm bolt?
I can't do the search as someone suggested above? Does anyone have a link by "Graywolf" TIA.
Later,
I can't do the search as someone suggested above? Does anyone have a link by "Graywolf" TIA.
Later,