Radius Arm Bushings
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 478
Likes: 0
From: ut
I think the idea was to replace the bushings, and during the installation add a thick washer to the backside of both the forward and aft bushing on each arm. This serves to tighten the joint, and reduce the amount of movement allowed. I suppose you could just add a washer (or shim) to the backside of the aft half of the bushing, but I suspect if you're having a problem, the real issue lies in the forward half where the rubber or neoprene portion of the bushing passes through the radius arm bracket. It has worn, or deteriorated from the heat of the exhaust, and adding a shim to the aft (the easy side) won't really help you at all.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
Just replace the bushings and see where that gets you. I used a set of poly bushings with plenty of grease to keep them quiet. Rather than unbolting the bracket and removing the rivets, I used a come-a-long to pull the front axle forward. It took me an hour and a half per side.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 478
Likes: 0
From: ut
I used the come-a-long too. I didn't feel comfortable drilling out the rivets on the frame. If you use the come-a-long, make sure the shock and spring are removed so the I-beam can drop low enough to allow enough movement. The first one I did took about 4 hours while I "learned". The other side took about an hour and a half.
