Radial Arm Making Noise

[legoms013]

I have a '96 Mazda b4000 4x4 and the passenger side radial arm bushing is making a harsh sqeaking noise whenever i brake (assuming the forward pressure is doing it). My question is, there is a heat shield over the rubber bushing on the right side arm because its closer to the exhaust, where the arm on the left side does not, could the heat shield be causing this noise? or is the actual bushing going out?

Also the right side bushing has a 1/8" gap between the rubber and the cross member, but the other side does not....maybe that 1-1/8" nut has rattled loose? When i put a breaker bar on it, it doesn't budge though.........

 

[kunar]

i would go ahead and replace the bushings. they are probably all worn out anyways. i put a set of poly bushings on mine and havent had any issues.

 

[legoms013]

How many miles did your truck have on it when you replaced the stock bushings with poly ones? Just me being curious, as mine has 175k.

 

[kunar]

How many miles did your truck have on it when you replaced the stock bushings with poly ones? Just me being curious, as mine has 175k.

i was only at about 150 or 160K (this on my 87) but i had the axle out anyways so i did all the bushings while i was there. with 175k miles, its certainly not gonna hurt to replace them. i cant say for sure but id bet thats your problem