radius arm bushings?
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 590
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From: shelocta, pa
radius arm bushings?
when i get on the brakes i get a clunk on the driverside floor. i think it's the radius arm bushing. how hard a fix is this and what would it set me back $$$?
Thanks ason
Thanks ason
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2000
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Yes, it sounds like the bushings. I normally pull the axles forward enough to clear the radius arm from the rear bracket. A come-along works well. Take off old bushing and slide on new. Guide the radius arm back in the bracket while you release the come-along.
Good luck,
Mark
Good luck,
Mark
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 56
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From: Southern Arizona
It makes the job a lot easier if you also pull the pivot bolts from the bushings on the suspension arm ends and let them drop down onto blocks. You won't need a come-along if you do this. While the arms are down, it's a good idea to check the condition of the pivot bushings as well. I use urethane aftermarket bushings in both locations; the stiffer bushings reduce steering wander and bump steer. The last set of bushings I bought (about 5 years ago) were about $60 a pair for either radius arm or pivot bushings of good quality. Replacing the bushings is not an easy job but it is pretty straightforward and well worth the effort.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 752
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From: Kalispell, MT
another good idea, and i know a number of people that have done this (also, i have the driver side done, and will do the pass. side in the near future)...is cut out the rivets that hold the radius arm bracket to the frame, and replace the rivets with Grade 8 bolts...they will hold just as well, if not better, and will make replacing the bushings at any time in the future MUCH easier than trying to pull the whole radius arm forward of the bracket...just unbolt, drop the bracket, and swap bushings...the reason i started the whole project is because my rivets had started wearing for some reason, and the bracket had started moving, causing a CLUNK under the floorboards any time i hit the brakes...now that i have bolts in place of the rivets, and they are nicely tightened down, no CLUNK...next big front end project is the wheel bearings...hehehe...wish me luck...
MontanaFord
MontanaFord
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 752
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From: Kalispell, MT
is it safe to assume that you will be replacing the rivets you remove with bolts?? if so...make sure you use grade 8's, as they will not sheer off as easily as grade 5's would...8's are a gold-ish color, 5's are the reg. silver color, and 10's are red....8's are what i've been told to use when i replace my rivets....
MontanaFord
MontanaFord
