Hi there, Im workin on my '94 f-150 4x4 and was replacing the front radius arm bushings and when I pulled the arm out of the old rubber bushing a LOT of rust flakes came out and after taking a wire brush to the arm spindle its about a fourth of the diameter is gone.....has anyone else run into this before? do I need to replace the whole arm? replace them as pairs? only the drivers side is rusted bad......thanks in advance, I use this site A LOT!!!!

 

You shouldn't have to replace the radius arm in pairs. Just get one from a salvage yard.

 

If need be i would bypass the junk yard they're like $60-70 new
I would still use it but keep an eye on it.

 

I didn't realize you could still get new ones from Ford. I think NPD or LMC may have them, but I don't know if they are OEM parts or reproductions.

 

Last year I got the bracket brand new from the local dealer's parts counter so I wouldn't rule them out for the arm before calling to see.

 

If you get a new one coat it with Fluid Film to protect if from rusting.

 

I guess if it were me i would see what they want for one at the junk yard and new... if it's $20-$40 cheaper at the yard i'd get one there...

 

hey thanks for the ideas, but here is what I ended up doing: I ground the rust down to bare metal, then slid a piece of heavy copper pipe over the threads and using my stick welder built up the metal all the way around and ground it smooth again, painted it and looks like new..... hope it works. I put the poly bushings in too like a lot of you recommend. Did the axle pivot bushings, ball joints, and front u joints while I was at it. Along with new wheel and spindle bearings, and had the rotors turned.....hopefully good for another 100k or so!

 

Parss Geek shows them too but 99 bucks each

 

Might have it sorted out by now. The post before yours was from April 2010.

 

Just my opinion but change them both with NEW arms/bushings- It only takes an hour or so ech side. While your at it, change the pivot bushings too. It will improve the handling and your safety.