Axle pivot bushing

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 19, 2006 | 03:25 PM

Hercmech

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 35

Likes: 0

From: Kodiak, AK

Axle pivot bushing

Hello all,
I have a 86 F150 4X4. I want to change my axle pivot bushings. The manual says I have to remove the axles, which doesn't make any sense to me. Is it possible to put the truck on stands, support the wheel, drop the pivot bolt, lower the I-beam, and change the bushing....Or is the manual correct.

On a side note, just changed the body bushing. What a pain in the...
Thanks

Oct 19, 2006 | 04:50 PM

5_labsownus

FTE Chapter Leader

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 42,686

Likes: 3,152

From: Fraziers Bottom, WV

You can put it on stands, pull the bolts and pry real hard to get the axle out of the way. The problem is removing and installing the new bushing (Major Pain). The worst part is to get the axle back in and line up for the bolt! The axle will twist and the pivot I will be at an angle! it took a 3 foot pipe wrench and 6foot pipe to get it to line up and with that a jack to get in up in to place!

Oct 20, 2006 | 08:09 AM

Hercmech

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 35

Likes: 0

From: Kodiak, AK

Thanks labs. What was the (Major Pain) with the bushing? Just that they're pressed in or corrosion?

Oct 20, 2006 | 11:00 PM

5_labsownus

FTE Chapter Leader

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 42,686

Likes: 3,152

From: Fraziers Bottom, WV

Both! I have seen the rubber drilled out and the sleeve ground out to find that the new OEM bushings were not going in easy. It took a dealer about 4 hours to remove them and put the new bushings in! That did not include taking everything apart.

Oct 20, 2006 | 11:42 PM

justshootme84

Posting Guru

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 1,388

Likes: 0

From: SE Texas

Herc, try searching this forum for my thread on my tool that I made to remove and install the apb's. YEs, you can lower one side down without removing it, and it helps to use two jacks. One under the axle beam inside of the hub, and the other on the outside, 4wd hub or rotor (with the wheel removed). The apb ispressed in, and must be pressed out, either with a balljoint press or a tool like I made. AN air chisel will also work, but can butcher up the opening in the axle beam if you're sloppy. I also have pics of the procedure at my supermotors.net gallery, JSM84

Oct 21, 2006 | 09:03 AM

bremen242

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 3,739

Likes: 3

From: GANS

it is quicker to remove the axle to replace the bushings. I did them on my '85. I torched out the rubber and cut them with a sawzall and knocked out the metal sleeve.

I made a make-shift press with a couple pieces of plate and some all-thread. those bushings are _TIGHT_ in the beam.

IHMO, it is easier to wrestle with the bushings when they are laying on your tailgate.

Oct 21, 2006 | 09:20 AM

woodbutcher05

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 279

Likes: 0

From: LaFollette Tn

Have seen same problems with r and r on rear spring bushings.What I have seen done after bushings removed,was to LIGHTLY use brake cylinder hone to clean up the inside of the spring eye and then use dish washing liquid to lube the new bushings to ease installation.Hope this helps.

Leo