I-Beam Bushings

[jmsmith76]

Well i replaced my ball joints this past weekend and took my truck in to get aligned today. Guy told me they couldn't align it because the i-beam pivot bushings are worn out. So I am wondering how hard it is to replace these and what all is involved. Does the axle have to be removed, etc.? Thanks in advance for the input.

[ryandamo]

its not hard at all,

jack up the truck, put it on stands. take the front wheels off. then put the jack kind of between the leaf spring and the pivot bolt in the middle and just take the pressure off slightly , unto the bolt, bang it out then lt the jack down.
the arm will swing down, might have to tap it a little bit.

the most annoying part of this whole thing will be to get the bushing out. you can eiter press it out or drill it out. i took a few drill bits and drilled away at the rubber core. your gonna break a few bits so watch your fingers. eventualy youll be able to push the rest out with your thumb. you will be left with an outer metal sleeve. a dremel or sawzawl will cut right though this, bend it with a screw driver and it will pop right out. then do the revers to install. get polyurethane bushings, not rubber, there better

[jmsmith76]

Awesome, that don't sound bad at all. Thanks