radius arm bushing installation
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 4
From: PNW
radius arm bushing installation
Well, it's time to do the radius arm bushings again, but I'm not sure what order to install them. The picture in the manual didn't match what was on there, but the Ford parts guys says the manual is wrong. So, who's right?
The manual shows the installation (from forward to rear) as follows: Retainer (which I assume is the cupped shaped washer), the mushroom shaped rubber bushing (in front of the bracket), the plastic ring, the cone shaped rubber bushing, the flat washer and finally, the nut (on the back side of the bracket). The way it was installed is: the flat washer, the cone shaped bushing, the plastic ring (in front of the bracket) and the mushroom shaped busing, the cupped washer, and the nut on the back side of the bracket.
Anybody got any idea what is the correct order?
The manual shows the installation (from forward to rear) as follows: Retainer (which I assume is the cupped shaped washer), the mushroom shaped rubber bushing (in front of the bracket), the plastic ring, the cone shaped rubber bushing, the flat washer and finally, the nut (on the back side of the bracket). The way it was installed is: the flat washer, the cone shaped bushing, the plastic ring (in front of the bracket) and the mushroom shaped busing, the cupped washer, and the nut on the back side of the bracket.
Anybody got any idea what is the correct order?
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
I have the same thing to fix. Put it on jacks and tried to take off the nut that holds thr springs on but it was dont way too tight. Cant get it off. was hoping I couyld, dont want to pay some one to do it.. Any suggestions? Its the right side, on a '86, V6, Supercab. Thanks in advance.
Jeremy
Jeremy
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,387
Likes: 0
when ever you have a bolt that wont budge first spray it with penetrating oil and let it sit for a good while. then use animpact wrench with a high torque rating or put a wrench on it and get as much leverage as a possible.
Last edited by el conquistador; May 13, 2004 at 10:45 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 4
From: PNW
Originally Posted by Ken00
My 1989 Ford manual has it as....
Retainer, inner insulator, then on the other side it goes retainer, outer insulator, shield (v-6, RH only), washer and nut.
Retainer, inner insulator, then on the other side it goes retainer, outer insulator, shield (v-6, RH only), washer and nut.
Retainer = cup shaped washer
Inner insulator = mushroom shaped bushing
Retainer on other side = plastic ring, although it's difficult to tell what the correct orientation is.
Outer insulator = cone shaped bushing
Washer = flat washer
Now that I've thought about it and looked at my truck, I think the manual is correct (and so is the truck). From the last time I did the job, I seem to remember that the flat washer couldn't fit over the non-threaded portion of the raidus arm, so it must go on last. That means the cupped washer (retainer) goes first and the mushroom bushing goes next with the cupped washer. What's left is to get the orientation of the cone shaped bushing and the plastic retainer, but I should be able to figure that out once it's apart.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 117
Likes: 2
you're right, that nut is extremely tight. I did mine in the driveway...i had the truck jacked up securely and i used a tight fitting wrench and pushed it with BOTH legs while holding onto the frame!! impact wrench wouldn't budge it....but mine is a cheapie. used my legs little by little and then finally could use my arms! quite a sight i'm sure!!! Kent
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 4
From: South Jersey
The manual is all I have to go on anymore, the 89 ranger got traded in for the 2002 so I can't look at it.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Rocky Mountains
I have a '95, 2wd, that has a clunk, clunk sound when I go over bumps. I replaced the shocks and the truck steers and handles good. So, is this probably bad radius arm insulators? Is there any other check I can do before I spend time and money to ensure this is the problem? I would like to do it myself, but I doubt I can get a nut off that's been torqued to 200 ft-lbs! I suppose Ford wants an arm and a leg to repair it. Any problem with just letting it go clunk, clunk?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 117
Likes: 2
Mine made that sound too and it was the radius arm bushings. If you don't fix it, it throws your alignment off a little and makes the front end a little loose. I regular garage can probably fix it instead of ford and it may not be so bad. KS
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Derrick lane
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
12
Dec 12, 2010 07:29 PM
codyingersoll123
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
32
Feb 28, 2009 05:31 PM
mnm99
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
8
Apr 13, 2003 07:39 AM
150, 1977, arm, bronco, bushing, bushings, ford, inner, installation, installing, insulator, orientation, radius, ranged, ranger
