Radius arm bushings
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Naples, FL
Radius arm bushings
Hey guys, I just got a set of radius arm bushings for my 79 F150 4x4 in my sig. I got them from autozone. heres a link to the part. AutoZone.com | Shopping | Parts | Product Detail - Radius Control Arm Bushing
I need to know the order they are installed in...heres my problem. The drivers side looks like its all there. from front to back: radius arm, rounded washer, bushing,radius arm bracket,bushing,flat washer,bushing,rounded washer,nut. (3 bushings, 2 rounded washers at either end, 1 flat in the middle between the 2 rear bushings behind radius arm bracket). The passenger side has same setup but is missing the bushing in the middle between the radius arm bracket and flat washer.
my question is the set I bought has 2 rounded washers, 2 flat washers, and 6 bushings (3 different style bushings, 2 of each kind). Could it be for both sides?? if thats the case wouldnt I need 2 more rounded washers. Or is whats on my truck missing pieces??? Wouldnt suprise me from where I got it....used and abused. Anyway what order are they supposed to go on??? Anyone got a diagram???
Thanks Guys,
Cody
I need to know the order they are installed in...heres my problem. The drivers side looks like its all there. from front to back: radius arm, rounded washer, bushing,radius arm bracket,bushing,flat washer,bushing,rounded washer,nut. (3 bushings, 2 rounded washers at either end, 1 flat in the middle between the 2 rear bushings behind radius arm bracket). The passenger side has same setup but is missing the bushing in the middle between the radius arm bracket and flat washer.
my question is the set I bought has 2 rounded washers, 2 flat washers, and 6 bushings (3 different style bushings, 2 of each kind). Could it be for both sides?? if thats the case wouldnt I need 2 more rounded washers. Or is whats on my truck missing pieces??? Wouldnt suprise me from where I got it....used and abused. Anyway what order are they supposed to go on??? Anyone got a diagram???
Thanks Guys,
Cody
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: MD
The cupped pieces should be the first AND last thing to put on before you start the big nut. Then flat washers, then the bushings. Repeat on the other side.
If you can show pics, please do. I did this recently, and it's still fresh in my memory.
If you can show pics, please do. I did this recently, and it's still fresh in my memory.
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Senior User
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From: Naples, FL
so your saying that the washers actually touch each other?? that it should go like this....starting from the front side...
radius arm, cupped washer, flat washer, bushing, bushing, radius arm bracket, bushing, bushing, flat washer, cupped washer. nut??? hhmmmm......really?? for a 79 4x4?
radius arm, cupped washer, flat washer, bushing, bushing, radius arm bracket, bushing, bushing, flat washer, cupped washer. nut??? hhmmmm......really?? for a 79 4x4?
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,760
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From: Gadsden Purchase
You need a book. ;)
And I need a new power steering gear upper seal. LOL :)
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/radiusarm.jpg
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/radiusarm1.jpg
I don't under stand why there are so many parts to the AutoZone stuff. :/
Never seen Ford stuff use so many parts. Even my '91 looks like my '75
(shown)
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/radiusarm2.jpg
The upside down lug nuts are the 3/4" 7/16-20 size nuts and used them
to replace the rivets along with the 1" flywheel bolts.
The other side of my pickup still has the rivets, but won't as soon as I go to
work on it again, the removable radius arm bracket is a real sweet idea. :)
My suggestion is to...
Cold chisel and/or grind off the rivet heads then using a 3/8" drift pin punch
and drift pin starter punch... hammer out the rivets one at a time and fit the
bolts with a rat tail file so they are snug like the rivets were. Then remove all
the bolts and replace the radius arm bushing.
I'm never doing it the "old way" again. ;)
BTDT both ways now.
These were to show the similarity to the radius arms but also how they have
a shoulder that stops the second (flat) washer. The shoulder is easier to see
in the shadow.
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/radiusarms.jpg
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/radiusarms1.jpg
Alvin in AZ
ps- Don't use any washers especially those stinkin split-ring lock washers, ok? :)
pps- They don't use washers on the flywheel, you don't need 'em here either.
And I need a new power steering gear upper seal. LOL :)
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/radiusarm.jpg
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/radiusarm1.jpg
I don't under stand why there are so many parts to the AutoZone stuff. :/
Never seen Ford stuff use so many parts. Even my '91 looks like my '75
(shown)
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/radiusarm2.jpg
The upside down lug nuts are the 3/4" 7/16-20 size nuts and used them
to replace the rivets along with the 1" flywheel bolts.
The other side of my pickup still has the rivets, but won't as soon as I go to
work on it again, the removable radius arm bracket is a real sweet idea. :)
My suggestion is to...
Cold chisel and/or grind off the rivet heads then using a 3/8" drift pin punch
and drift pin starter punch... hammer out the rivets one at a time and fit the
bolts with a rat tail file so they are snug like the rivets were. Then remove all
the bolts and replace the radius arm bushing.
I'm never doing it the "old way" again. ;)
BTDT both ways now.
These were to show the similarity to the radius arms but also how they have
a shoulder that stops the second (flat) washer. The shoulder is easier to see
in the shadow.
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/radiusarms.jpg
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/radiusarms1.jpg
Alvin in AZ
ps- Don't use any washers especially those stinkin split-ring lock washers, ok? :)
pps- They don't use washers on the flywheel, you don't need 'em here either.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 790
From: Simi Valley, CA
so your saying that the washers actually touch each other?? that it should go like this....starting from the front side...
radius arm, cupped washer, flat washer, bushing, bushing, radius arm bracket, bushing, bushing, flat washer, cupped washer. nut??? hhmmmm......really?? for a 79 4x4?
radius arm, cupped washer, flat washer, bushing, bushing, radius arm bracket, bushing, bushing, flat washer, cupped washer. nut??? hhmmmm......really?? for a 79 4x4?
It takes two of these bushings per side, not three or four.
Radius arm > cupped washer > bushing > bracket > bushing > flat washer > nut.
This is the exact sequence illustrated in the 1973/79 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog for 1978/79 F150 4WD's (Section 30, page 18).
1978/79 F150 4WD radius arm bushings are NOT the same ones as 1973/77's F100/150 4WD's used.
They are 1978/79 only.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,760
Likes: 8
From: Gadsden Purchase
Wonder what the deal is on that? Another Ford change?
The cupped washers and flat washers on my '75 I picked up at the Kennecot smelter
in Hayden AZ. ;)
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/radiusarm.jpg
Oh yeah, and those are black (graphitic) poly-urethane from Energy suspension.
And the "T" shaped bushing goes in front.
Alvin in AZ
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Ford Parts Specialist
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THEN...I looked at the pic!
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Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
This is the CORRECT sequence.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Naples, FL
ok sorry it took so long to get back to you guys. I was at the 500 this weekend!!! Woo hoo!!! Anyway...I got a chance to go out and snap some pics...
<a href="http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/x2bk5/?action=view¤t=driverbushing.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/x2bk5/driverbushing.jpg" border="0" alt="driver bushing"></a>
^^That was the drivers side. If you look close you can see it has a flat metal spacer in betweeen two rear bushings...
<a href="http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/x2bk5/?action=view¤t=passbushing.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/x2bk5/passbushing.jpg" border="0" alt="passenger bushing"></a>
^^This was the passenger side...exact same set up but the middle bushing is worn completely out of it.
Does this mean whoever worked on it before me used the wrong parts? Also...if theres is only supposed to be 2 bushings per side of the truck, why does my kit have 6 instead of 4. Its the correct part, I posted a link to it up above. This is for a 79 F150 4x4
<a href="http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/x2bk5/?action=view¤t=driverbushing.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/x2bk5/driverbushing.jpg" border="0" alt="driver bushing"></a>
^^That was the drivers side. If you look close you can see it has a flat metal spacer in betweeen two rear bushings...
<a href="http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/x2bk5/?action=view¤t=passbushing.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/x2bk5/passbushing.jpg" border="0" alt="passenger bushing"></a>
^^This was the passenger side...exact same set up but the middle bushing is worn completely out of it.
Does this mean whoever worked on it before me used the wrong parts? Also...if theres is only supposed to be 2 bushings per side of the truck, why does my kit have 6 instead of 4. Its the correct part, I posted a link to it up above. This is for a 79 F150 4x4
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 367
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From: Naples, FL
Heres a pic of the bushing set I got from Autozone Part #FA1175. It says its a moog part on the bag.
<a href="http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/x2bk5/?action=view¤t=newbushings.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/x2bk5/newbushings.jpg" border="0" alt="new bushings"></a>
<a href="http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/x2bk5/?action=view¤t=newbushings.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/x2bk5/newbushings.jpg" border="0" alt="new bushings"></a>
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Near a cornfield in Iowa
I think you have a "one size fits all" bag of parts.....
It should be from the radius arm....cupped washer, bushing, bracket, bushing, flat washer then nut like has already been mentioned.
I wouldn't mess around with trying to cut the rivets out of the radius arm bracket either.
I remove the nut off the back of the radius arm and use a come-along and pull the axle forward till it is free of the bracket then replace the bushings and washers and reinstall.
Be careful while doing this, sometimes the shocks will hit the bracket they are bolted to at the frame end, if this is the case, disconnect shock.
A jack under the radius arm help to line things back up when releasing the come-along. The jack only holds the arm in place and helps to guide it back in the hole. Be sure to support the frame with a jack stand while doing this, to hold the weight of the vehicle and take some of the pressure off the axle.
I have done 10 or 15 vehicles this way, both 4x4 and 2 wheel drive. I can swap a set of bushings in about 10 minutes.....that's faster than you can grind off one rivet!!
It should be from the radius arm....cupped washer, bushing, bracket, bushing, flat washer then nut like has already been mentioned.
I wouldn't mess around with trying to cut the rivets out of the radius arm bracket either.
I remove the nut off the back of the radius arm and use a come-along and pull the axle forward till it is free of the bracket then replace the bushings and washers and reinstall.
Be careful while doing this, sometimes the shocks will hit the bracket they are bolted to at the frame end, if this is the case, disconnect shock.
A jack under the radius arm help to line things back up when releasing the come-along. The jack only holds the arm in place and helps to guide it back in the hole. Be sure to support the frame with a jack stand while doing this, to hold the weight of the vehicle and take some of the pressure off the axle.
I have done 10 or 15 vehicles this way, both 4x4 and 2 wheel drive. I can swap a set of bushings in about 10 minutes.....that's faster than you can grind off one rivet!!
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,760
Likes: 8
From: Gadsden Purchase
You get to hear all sorts of ideas and then you decide. :)
On one hand you've got a guy that's done a bunch of 'em and doesn't know
how many ;) the pickups are long gone I'd guess. :) ...and on the other hand
you've got another guy that's done 'em a few times on one pickup and plans
to do it again to the same pickup over and over until he's dead.
Different ways to look at it. ;)
You are the only one that knows your situation tho. :)
Alvin in AZ
ps- Last week shoveled dirt on an old friend :( just now thinking about it
and realized I've always said "I'll be buried in my pickup ;)" Just dawned
on me... with my friend's private cemetary and his heavy equipment and
all... suppose it could come true.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Naples, FL
Ok if that isn't the exact parts I need where can I get them? I know this isn't a Dealer Only Part. Napa online only has 2wd. What about advance auto parts? I think rockauto has the same exact moog parts kit I got from Autozone...or atleast thats what it looked like when I looked the part up online.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 33
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From: Near a cornfield in Iowa
You have all the parts you need in your kit. All the washers are correct and I think you will need the 4 bushings on the right, or all the bushings but the two on the left. Its a little hard to tell from the picture.
Take the side that is most complete apart first, compare bushings and replace with like new bushings.
Then do the other side. IMHO it is better to replace both sides even when only one side appears bad.
This is the last one that I swapped bushings in...........
Take the side that is most complete apart first, compare bushings and replace with like new bushings.
Then do the other side. IMHO it is better to replace both sides even when only one side appears bad.
This is the last one that I swapped bushings in...........
Last edited by theMadDawg; Feb 20, 2009 at 10:58 AM. Reason: added pix