Stupid Radius Arm Bushing ?
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New User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Maryland
Stupid Radius Arm Bushing ?
Hi all. Please forgive my stupid questions, as I'm not that mechancially familiar with 4-wheeled vehicles.
I'm in the process of purchasing a 1995 Ranger XLT as a bike hauler, and was told during inspection that the radius arm bushings need to be replaced- to the tune of $723! I did a search on here, and found a few threads related to this issue- but wanted to check with Ranger owners to see if a.) this seems a reasonable price (it doesn't to me) b.) How hard it is to do this yourself (I am mechanically inclined, work on my own motorcycles but not cars) and c.) the stupid question- I assume I'd need Stnd tools- right? All my tools and torque wrenches are metric.
Thanks!
Lori
I'm in the process of purchasing a 1995 Ranger XLT as a bike hauler, and was told during inspection that the radius arm bushings need to be replaced- to the tune of $723! I did a search on here, and found a few threads related to this issue- but wanted to check with Ranger owners to see if a.) this seems a reasonable price (it doesn't to me) b.) How hard it is to do this yourself (I am mechanically inclined, work on my own motorcycles but not cars) and c.) the stupid question- I assume I'd need Stnd tools- right? All my tools and torque wrenches are metric.
Thanks!
Lori
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
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From: Eastern WA
Welcome to FTE.
$723..........that seems high but for that much I'll do it for ya (just kidding). If you do a search in the Explorer forum, you will find a somewhat recent post where people talked about some of their tricks they used to do it. One guy said he disconnected the link between the sway bar and the axles and he was then able to slide the axle + radial arm forward enough to do the job. Sounds like a good way to go to me. For tools I'd just make sure you have a wrench large enough to remove the nut on the radial arm; everything else should be a common, regular item. There was also some talk about having to cut some rivets, but I didn't get into the details.
$723..........that seems high but for that much I'll do it for ya (just kidding). If you do a search in the Explorer forum, you will find a somewhat recent post where people talked about some of their tricks they used to do it. One guy said he disconnected the link between the sway bar and the axles and he was then able to slide the axle + radial arm forward enough to do the job. Sounds like a good way to go to me. For tools I'd just make sure you have a wrench large enough to remove the nut on the radial arm; everything else should be a common, regular item. There was also some talk about having to cut some rivets, but I didn't get into the details.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 559
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From: Rosebud
The 95 is part metric and part standard,so you may need both.the book says to pull the springs,but Im going to try to slide mine forward then back,not sure about drilling or grinding rivots,sounds like a lot of work that way.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 694
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From: formerly Brooklyn NY now
its simple enough If i still had my place in Hurlock id tell you to come by and bring beer and we would get it done LOL buy the book and as long as ya have a complete set of ratchets, sockets and combination wrenches youll be fine i have air tools but ya can use hand tools and a big pipe too
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 515
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From: Hillsboro, OR
My 98 Ranger is almost all metric. I was afraid I'd have to buy all new tools after I sold my VW. I don't think I've found anything standard size on my ranger, now that I think about it.
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New User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Maryland
Thanks for the replies! I'm quite glad to hear the many $$'s I've spent on metric tools won't be going to waste. I think I'm the only girl on the block who was thrilled to get a really nice Craftsman torque wrench for Christmas. Sounds like a pain in the butt job- but not worth the $700+! I think I may just have a go at it myself. I'll look up the resources on this site, and get out the lifts and tool box....and I'll keep you posted. Other than these bushings the truck is a great little truck and I think it will make a great motorcycle transport vehicle 
Last edited by Ken00; Mar 22, 2004 at 08:20 PM.
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