Axel Pivot Bushings
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Senior User
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From: NJ
Axel Pivot Bushings
I'm going to replace my front axel pivot bushings this weekend on my 94 Bronco.I was hoping to maybe get 2 floor jacks under the axel to remove the bolt and drop it down just enough to get at it. The service manual goes trough the whole process of removing the axel from the truck.I'm looking for any helpful suggestions so I know what to expect ahead of time.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 1999
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Axel Pivot Bushings
When I did the urethane bushing thing, I supported the truck on jackstands under the frame.
I had already pulled the springs and shocks but not the radius arm bushings. I know the pivot bolts came out easily, and I had to use a crowbar to pry the pivot ends down far enough to push the bushings out. The bushings are bonded in to the axle pivot eyes, and I used a very small application of a propane torch to heat the metal. The bushings came out easily when heated.
While I had the pivot arms dropped, I used a come-a-long and pulled the radius arms forward enough to replace those bushings, also.
I did the sway bar and leaf spring bushings at the same time, and if you can get the greasable kind, do it. Otherwise, make sure to use copious amounts of that icky grease supplied with the urethane bushings.
Eddie
I had already pulled the springs and shocks but not the radius arm bushings. I know the pivot bolts came out easily, and I had to use a crowbar to pry the pivot ends down far enough to push the bushings out. The bushings are bonded in to the axle pivot eyes, and I used a very small application of a propane torch to heat the metal. The bushings came out easily when heated.
While I had the pivot arms dropped, I used a come-a-long and pulled the radius arms forward enough to replace those bushings, also.
I did the sway bar and leaf spring bushings at the same time, and if you can get the greasable kind, do it. Otherwise, make sure to use copious amounts of that icky grease supplied with the urethane bushings.
Eddie
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Joined: Jan 2000
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From: NJ
Axel Pivot Bushings
Eddie thanks for the great advice. It only took me a couple of hours and everything went smoothly.I now have Energy Suspension bushings on my radius arms and axel pivots.You mentioned that you also have them on the leaf spings. My local 4wd shop didn't reccommend them. But I'm thinking I would like to do them also. What do you think?
Elder User
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 780
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Axel Pivot Bushings
Glad I could help, glad it went smoothly. Your local 4WD shop is probably advising against rebushing your leaf spring eyes because there is a very real diminution in articulation. The rubber bushings have more give in them, and allow more spring twist as the axle articulates, ditto for the shackle-to-frame bushings--good for off-road, not good for on-road.
My truck spends way, way more time on road than off, and flat, accurate handling is more important to me than ultimate articulation. After all, these are full-size pickup trucks we're talking about here, not Jeeps and Land Cruisers that we tow with the full-size pickups.
Eddie
My truck spends way, way more time on road than off, and flat, accurate handling is more important to me than ultimate articulation. After all, these are full-size pickup trucks we're talking about here, not Jeeps and Land Cruisers that we tow with the full-size pickups.
Eddie
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