Replacing radius arm bushings!
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Replacing radius arm bushings!
Could anyone tell me the best way to replace my radius arm bushings? Ive heard of drilling the rivets out and replacing them with case hardened bolts,but im not real sure.I would also like to replace all the bushings in my truck and would like to know the best place to get them.Any help would be great. 95 F-150 4x4, auto
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From: Los Angeles
I replaced my radius arm bushings last month with polyurethane - I would not recommend the OEM rubber replacements. With an impact wrench, the passenger side was easy as all 4 were nuts and bolts. The driver side was a little difficult as I have to drill out three rivets, the 4th one was a regular nut and bolt. And I replaced all bolts with stainless 1/2 inch diameter bolts. You will have to drill out the mounting holes just a little bit with a 1/2 inch drill bit so as to get the bolts to go through. The wheel alignment changed on mine afterwards, so I had to get an alignment done.
Billieboy 96 F150 4x4 L6 Manual
Billieboy 96 F150 4x4 L6 Manual
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From: DE
Originally Posted by billieboy
And I replaced all bolts with stainless 1/2 inch diameter bolts. You will have to drill out the mounting holes just a little bit with a 1/2 inch drill bit so as to get the bolts to go through. The wheel alignment changed on mine afterwards, so I had to get an alignment done.
Billieboy 96 F150 4x4 L6 Manual
Billieboy 96 F150 4x4 L6 Manual
Also changing RA bushing would affect the aligment. Mt 2 cents.
Later,
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I need to replace my radius arm bushings as well and would drill the rivets out except that I'm going to have everything apart to do the u-joints. Drilling them out and replacing with bolts also prevents them loosening up and causing vibration and cracking.
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Originally Posted by low-side
Drilling them out and replacing with bolts also prevents them loosening up and causing vibration and cracking.
I read on this site somewhere that Ford recommends replacing rivets with a bolt one size larger.
I replaced my bushings with poly but I had removed the whole front axle assembly for other work. My radius arm brackets were very rusty and the metal has to be getting thin. Has anyone seen a stronger bracket for sale?
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 281
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From: Petersburg, MI
I don't know about a stronger bracket but you can get replacement stock brackets. Your only other option if you don't want to remove the rivets is to remove the whole front axle and slide it forward. Just remove the brackets and make sure you use grade 8 bolts when putting it all back together.
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If your gonna spend the time removing everything in front why not raise the whole truck up with a suspension lift? that comes with new radial arm drop down brackets which are better than stock but expect to put a full days work in and bring a strong friend
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From: SE Georgia
go to bds.com...they have a lot of suspension components for fords, plus their lifts are awesome
drill out those rivets and have 1/2" bolts to replace them. if you take it to the dealership, they will do the same thing and charge you about $1000.00 to do what you can in 1 or 2 days and spend about $20.00 in parts
drill out those rivets and have 1/2" bolts to replace them. if you take it to the dealership, they will do the same thing and charge you about $1000.00 to do what you can in 1 or 2 days and spend about $20.00 in parts
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