Have a question on this Radius Arm Bushing

[reno]

I have never had the pleasure or nightmare encounter of the Radius Arm Bushings. What are the signs of one or both going bad? Mine seem fine, just was wandering how would one know what to look for? Does it make "Wheel hop" or does the truck drift? Thunking sound? I like to know symptoms on what to look for when I hear (or someone asks about) sounds or other variables.

Thanks

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

You will get thunking sounds when going backwards and applying the bakes, and when going forwards and applying the brakes.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

mine made a "click" sound whenever applying the brakes while moving forwards. i also started to get very slight feathering on the front tires as my alignment was pushed out by the bad bushings.

have fun grinding those 4 rivets when your time comes

 

[reno]

mine made a "click" sound whenever applying the brakes while moving forwards. i also started to get very slight feathering on the front tires as my alignment was pushed out by the bad bushings.

have fun grinding those 4 rivets when your time comes

What 4 rivets? Something tells me if this day ever comes......I'm going to regret it.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

ford...in their INFINITE wisdom....decided it would be "funny" to use, not 4 bolts, not 4 rivets, but 2 bolts and 2 rivets to hold each radius arm bracket on. in order to change the radius arm bushings (without dismantling the entire front end), you need to grind these 4 (2 per side) rivets off and replace them with bolts.

i managed with my electric right angle grinder....but a pneumatic one or hot wrench would have been oh so much easier.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Torch is the only way to go for removing rivet heads

 

[reno]

So, I take it the easiest way is to remove the bracket that the radius arms bolt to? Where the bushing is at? What type of bolt would be strong enough to hold these brackets? This is getting interesting, sounds like an easy job, but "Sounds like" is probably as far as it goes though. Never really done frame work either, would this kind of be considered frame work?
When I change this front axle, I am gonna have to look at this bracket and Radius Arm to completely understand what is being said here.
You guys are great, thanks for all the info!!!!!

 

[Totalled]

Or you can just drop the beams out of the truck... depends on what you think is less work.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Either grade 8 or grade 5 bolts that are the same size as the holes from the rivets will be fine.

 

[reno]

Curiousity killed the cat, I went under last night and looked, NOW I see what you are talking about! Now I seen a big !#@$ing nut on the end of those Radius Arms, what size are those? I take it that the truck has to be jacked and supported by the frame only to do this job? Do they come off like a regular nut and bolt or is there a special trick to them as well. Are there any grease points on these Arms? That should do it and I'll be well informed on R.A. Bushings!!!!

-=Reno=-

 

[97BlackBetty]

The nut is a 1 and 1/8" wrench. (Same size as the nut on your coil retaining studs. And on the radius arm mounts on the axle)

The truck does need to be supported by the frame rails for this job.

There are no grease points on the radius arm itself.

With a little heat and P.B. Blaster it comes off with very little effort. No trick to gettig them off, except for maybe a cheater bar, or in my case, a buddy who is bigger than me. Personally I prefer to drop away the ttb, rather then grind off the rivets. But I have had the TTB apart so much that its really more of a familiarity issue. Either way, its fun to get dirty and the job itself isnt to complicated.

 

[reno]

OK, I am going to changing the P.S. Axle,seals and wheel bearings this weekend so I figured I would change these bushings to be on the safe side. What size grade 5 or 8 bolts do I need? I will pick them up on my way home today.

I need to know the length and diameter...like 9/16 x 1 1/4".

 

[Mutant Pony]

If you're changing wheel bearings anyway, you can change the radius arm bushings by loosening the front bolts on the radius arms and just pulling it forward. You have to remove the spring to do that though. And if you have the sway bar that goes inside the radius arms, that has to come out too. It may be easier to unbolt the brackets. The brackets may need to be replaced if they are damaged from running it with bad bushings.

 

[reno]

Well there is no problem with my bushings, that is just me, when I repair one part and there are other parts there, I replace those as well. Like if I change the water pump, then the thermostat gets changed,hoses and a backflush then fresh coolant.

 

[reno]

So what size are the bolts? I would rather make it easier for me in the future. I'll most likely remove the spring and unbolt the front though.

What size should the hole be where the Rad arm goes through? Or in other words, how would one tell it has been ruined? I just like to know these things.