Check those radius arms!!
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From: Location, Location.
Check those radius arms!!
Follow up to a thread of mine a while ago about breaking one of the front axle radius arms on my 79 F250...
It broke inside the bushings at the frame. Pulled it apart today. The bolt that goes throughthe bushing is about 3/4" diam. Wher it broke it had corroded down to about 3/8 inch of steel left.
Someone else wrote about being shocked by the state of this bolt when they changed the bushings. And here's confirmation it's a concern.
I would strongly recommend to anyone whose radius arm bushings look like they might need changing some day, or who is restoring a truck of this vintage - don't put it off. Get them out and check the bolt. Salt and water get in, they corrode hidden inside, and one day you go veering off the road 'cause one of your I-beams has lost alignment when the radius arm snapped.
It broke inside the bushings at the frame. Pulled it apart today. The bolt that goes throughthe bushing is about 3/4" diam. Wher it broke it had corroded down to about 3/8 inch of steel left.
Someone else wrote about being shocked by the state of this bolt when they changed the bushings. And here's confirmation it's a concern.
I would strongly recommend to anyone whose radius arm bushings look like they might need changing some day, or who is restoring a truck of this vintage - don't put it off. Get them out and check the bolt. Salt and water get in, they corrode hidden inside, and one day you go veering off the road 'cause one of your I-beams has lost alignment when the radius arm snapped.
Cargo Master
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That's a very good idea, that is one of those hidden parts that you never think about until the bushings get sloppy. Thanks for the Reminder, I just checked out the front end on the 74 and the bushings looked good, I think I'll spin the nuts off and take a peek.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Napanee, Ontario, Canada
This is a great reminder for anyone out there with these old trucks. Don't become a "oh ya it happened to me member" and check those bolts. I had a guy in here in the spring. His snapped off at low speed thankfully and his front passenger wheelwell was sitting a little funny to say the least. He came out to me to buy a used one. I had a couple on a wreck that looked OK..... That is until I took the nut and outer bushing off. Out of 4 we checked I found 1 that we were able to salvage. Moisture/rust had rotted most of them down to half the size. The potholes aren't getting any smaller and this is definetly a hiden threat. Don't assume yours are good. Have a look.
later
TFC
later
TFC
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From: Location, Location.
Hey, truckfarmingcanuck,
you've got a couple of these trucks in the yard? You wouldn't happen to have a bed for a '79 (with the nice curved line running the length) in good shape on one of them, would you?????????
you've got a couple of these trucks in the yard? You wouldn't happen to have a bed for a '79 (with the nice curved line running the length) in good shape on one of them, would you?????????
Cargo Master
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Originally Posted by fred_79f250
Hey, truckfarmingcanuck,
you've got a couple of these trucks in the yard? You wouldn't happen to have a bed for a '79 (with the nice curved line running the length) in good shape on one of them, would you?????????
you've got a couple of these trucks in the yard? You wouldn't happen to have a bed for a '79 (with the nice curved line running the length) in good shape on one of them, would you?????????
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