radius arms
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Joined: Sep 1999
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radius arms
I have a 1981 F250 badly in need of radius arm bushings. Is it possible or advisable to drill out the rivets holding the rear bracket and replace them with grade 8 bolts rather than remove the coil spring?
Phil R.
Phil R.
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Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,297
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From: Indiana
radius arms
I assume you are working on a 2 wheel drive F-250. Yes you can drill out the rivets on the frame brackets, then cut the rivet heads off with a chisel. Raise the tire off the ground & support the frame behind the front bumper in maybe a foot where the frame is fairly level, the put a floor jack under the axle beam just barely lift it . now go to drilling, of course you need to remove the radius arm nut , you'll need to soak it with penetrating oil ahead of time, & you'll probably still need a cheater pipe & a breaker bar to get it loose unless you have a strong impact wrench, be sure and check your bracket to see if it wore out , it could be wallowed out ( usually oval shaped ) if the bushings have been bad for a long time. You can order the brackets at your local Ford dealership , I don't know if they are available aftermarket. use grade 8 , coarse threaded bolts and lock nuts when you put it back together,7/16" will work but you drill it out to 1/2", this is not a hard job if you have the stuff to work on it, its , more intimidating than anything, good luck!
