Suspension Question....
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 24
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From: Custer, WA
Suspension Question....
Ok, dummy strikes again 
Can someone tell me what raduis control arm bushings actually _Do_? And if them being bad would cause a bit of steering drift? My best friend, who gave me my '86 F150, says the steering gear is shot and that I have to replace it right away...but, the truck doesn't act like the gear is shot. It goes down the road fine, unless you hit a wavy bit of road, or a bad bump. Then it shimmys a bit, but is overall pretty normal seeming to me.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
RhainyC
Can someone tell me what raduis control arm bushings actually _Do_? And if them being bad would cause a bit of steering drift? My best friend, who gave me my '86 F150, says the steering gear is shot and that I have to replace it right away...but, the truck doesn't act like the gear is shot. It goes down the road fine, unless you hit a wavy bit of road, or a bad bump. Then it shimmys a bit, but is overall pretty normal seeming to me.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
RhainyC
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,223
Likes: 2
From: Billings Montana
Your radius arms and bushings keep the axle from folding up under the frame of your truck. If you didn't have them, every time you tried to drive, your front axle would fold back when you drove forward and fold forward if you backed up.
The radius arm bushings take the shock out of the axle moving forward and back all the time and keep everything lined up. If they weren't there, your radius arms would bang and clank and cause the arms to wobble up, down, side to side at any speed over 5 mph. If your bushings are bad, they will give you some sloppy steering, wandering, etc do to the arm moving around inside the radius arm brackets. If you're planning on replacing them, do both at the same time. It's cheap insurance and it'd be a waste of time if you only replaced one because you'd still have sloppy steering with one new and one old bushing.
The radius arm bushings take the shock out of the axle moving forward and back all the time and keep everything lined up. If they weren't there, your radius arms would bang and clank and cause the arms to wobble up, down, side to side at any speed over 5 mph. If your bushings are bad, they will give you some sloppy steering, wandering, etc do to the arm moving around inside the radius arm brackets. If you're planning on replacing them, do both at the same time. It's cheap insurance and it'd be a waste of time if you only replaced one because you'd still have sloppy steering with one new and one old bushing.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Custer, WA
Many Thanks!
Well I was thinking that replacing the them very soon. I am having trouble with finances and such, but then, who isn't!~
Thanks for the input and suggestions.
Thanks,
RhainyC
Thanks for the input and suggestions.
Thanks,
RhainyC
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
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From: Spokane, WA
It's amazing how much the poly bushings will tighten up the suspension too. Makes driving a lot nicer and keeps the truck from wandering all over.
Last edited by ivanribic; Sep 3, 2005 at 01:42 PM.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 24
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From: Custer, WA
Thanks All!
Wow! You'all still just amaze me with your helpfulness! 
Will do my best to replace with the aformentioned *insert the fancy kind* bushings.
Since I want only the best for my Old Gal. 
Best regards,
RhainyC
Will do my best to replace with the aformentioned *insert the fancy kind* bushings.
Since I want only the best for my Old Gal. Best regards,
RhainyC
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