radius arm bushings

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Mar 27, 2001 | 07:38 AM

78f250

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radius arm bushings

I am planning to change my radius arm bushings this weekend. I will be droping the brackets hooking to the frame since they are bolted on. Do I really need to align the truck after changing the bushings or can I get by without doing it. Also will be changing coil springs. Any advice on a good way. Do I need a coil compresser or can I get buy without. Thanks.

Mar 27, 2001 | 07:46 AM

fozzy

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From: New England

radius arm bushings

no alignmnent needed---- to drop coils, decompress them using a jack by picking up truck by the frame

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77'FORD F150 XLT 400

Mar 27, 2001 | 11:37 PM

beratte

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radius arm bushings

Second that. I just replaced mine on my 95 Bronco and I've done a 73 F-150 and didn't need an alignment either time. To drop the coils, jack up the truck by the frame or crossmember, remove the tires and let the suspension droop all the way. Support the axle in some way (another floor jack is preferable) and unbolt the shocks and top coil spring retainer. Lower the suspension even more and the spring will pop loose from the top bracket. Then remove the lower retainer nut with a lonnnnnnnnnngggg socket extension. Also watch your caliper hoses, may have to remove the caliper so you don't stretch the hose. Good luck

Mar 28, 2001 | 06:21 AM

jowilker

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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina

radius arm bushings

Don't you need to release the spring retainers before you start with the jack??

John
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Mar 28, 2001 | 08:03 AM

beratte

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radius arm bushings

I've always jacked up the truck to let the suspension droop, put it up on jackstands and then used a floor jack under the axle you're working on to support it (just barely compressed at first). I've then loosened the shocks and then the coil spring retainer up top and then lowered the jack to get the spring to pop out. If you have a sway bar then you'll need to remove that too where it attaches to the axle (4wd's).

Mar 29, 2001 | 06:47 AM

gadams

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radius arm bushings

I remember reading a post about the brackets on the back of the rad arms being bolted on instead of riveted on. You may not need to unbolt the front of the radius arm at all. Some guy was saying that once the rivets that hold the back bracket to the frame have worn out, people replace them with bolts, and that if you have bolts, all you have to do is this:

Jack up the frame - not necessary to get front wheels off ground, just support the truck's weight (use jack stands!)
unbolt big cotter nut on the end of the radius arm
unbolt back radius arm bracket
place a jack under axle on the applicable side while still jacked up by frame
raise up axle just enough to drop the bracket enough for it to be slid off.
replace the bushings
lower the axle, bolt up the bracket, put the cotter nut back on, etc.
do the other side

BTW, where do you guys find poly bushings? All I find at Kragen/Autozone/etc are rubber ones, and I don't want to have to do this again in 6 months.

Greg
67 F100 CCS 390 Cruise-o

Mar 29, 2001 | 08:18 AM

mgessner

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radius arm bushings

>BTW, where do you guys find
>poly bushings? All I find
>at Kragen/Autozone/etc are rubber ones,
>and I don't want to
>have to do this again
>in 6 months.

I have bought some springs and poly bushings from ESPO, and am pleased with their service.
http://www.espo.com/