Radius arm bushing & axle pivot bushing change

[metallitera]

Searched around and didnt find much of an answer im looking for.

I know I need to change axle pivot bushings, and i was thinking Id try and change radius arm bushings at the same time.

Here's how Im thinking of doing it:

While I have the axle pivot bolt out, remove the coil spring so i can take off the nut on the back of the radium arm(where it connects to the frame) and slide the whole axle forward enough to replace the bushings.

That was I dont have to take the long bolt out thats required to be torqued to 350+ft./lbs.


Will this work?

[ono_55]

We changed them out all the time at work, best think to do is take the brackets off the frame it makes the job ahole lot easyer.

[metallitera]

Originally Posted by ono_55

We changed them out all the time at work, best think to do is take the brackets off the frame it makes the job ahole lot easyer.

yea, i dont wanna drill all them damn rivets yet.

what about the axle pivot bushings? are they hard to get outta the axle like a ball joint?

[ono_55]

[QUOTE=metallitera;811949]yea, i dont wanna drill all them damn rivets yet.

what about the axle pivot bushings? are they hard to get outta the axle like a ball joint?[/QU

On the rivets you use a die grinder or air hammer on them real easy, the axle pivit bushings i cut them out or use a air hammer on them.

Hopes this helps

[metallitera]

what about installing new ones? they have to be pressed in huh?

[ono_55]

I just use a bushing driver ether by hand or with a air hammer.

[elibenson]

I have never seen a radius arm bracket held in with rivets. All mine (like 15 pairs) are bolted. If they are riveted, I would definitely grind them off and get bolts. That big nut that holds on the radius arm to the bracket is not hard to get loose, but getting new bushings on with the bracket in place would be a major pain in the butt. They have to compress a lot, and they don't slide on well in the first place. I usually use a bit of synthetic grease when I assemble them. On the pivot bushings, I use a ball joint press to install and remove them. Sometimes the removal requires a hack saw and a chisel. If the rubber presses out, but not the steel sleeve, I make a deep (but not all the way through) score in the sleeve, and then whack it with a hammer and chisel to collapse it.

good luck..

[burmad69]

We do it all the time by using a come-along to pull axle forward replace bushings and your done.

[metallitera]

Originally Posted by burmad69

We do it all the time by using a come-along to pull axle forward replace bushings and your done.

i assume when axle pivot is un done, and using the come a long to bend the coil spring enough the get 'er outta the bracket?

[metallitera]

Well i just finished up bout an hr ago. Axle pivot bushings were easy to unbolt and lower down. hammered the first one out with a punch, had to use ball joint press to put new one in (tried C clamp and no go), so I used the ball joint press to remove the second one.

getting the bolts back in was a PAIN, gettin everything all lined up.

while under there, radius arm bushings looked new so I took the ones i got back. only thing is the pass. side, the radius arm bushing is not flush on he bracket, its got a lil space under it.

on test drive she was alot stiffer and a lil creek/pop when i went over bumps was gone! yay!

for tomorrow: valve cover harness plug repair and install my fish eye mirrors.