Radius arm bushing replacement

[jvarnadoe]

I've now replaced all the tie rods, bushings etc.. except for the radius arm bushings. I have the bushings and found a local shop that will remove the old bushings and press the new ones in.

My question is....should I remove both radius arms at the same time, or should I do one side at a time? It'd be much easier logistically to remove both at the same time, but will I have an issue getting them back in place? I'll have it up on four jack stands (front and rear), so there shouldn't be any movement of the frame. I'm just not sure if things will move around when those arms are removed and realignment of the bolts in the radius arms will be an issue.

I replaced the panhard bar last week and had to get my wife out to jiggle the steering wheel to get the bolts to re-insert.

Thanks for any guidance on this.

 

[LRDONE]

Put Jack stands under the FRAME and from the front, put a hydraulic jack on the differential near the drive flange so you can pivot the angle of the axle. You should be fine to remove both at the same time at that point. Any other way you risk getting pancaked by the truck.

 

[special ed]

Just notes from yesterday on how i do it. I have done hundreds. I remove all the nuts on arm bolts. Place a ratchet strap on the axle from the front and snug it up. then start removing the bolts. Need to have the track rod off under the diff to get the arms off. I do one side at a time if your just doing the bushings but if changing to castor corrected arms will need to remove both. D1 fit radius rod to the frame first, D2 fit the radius rod to the axle when going back in i spread the tabs on the axle with a hammer just a little and use a jack to press the arm in place and a prybar to fine tune the location. the ratchet strap allows you to pull the axle back in place. it is best to do the whole thing on the ground and not jacked up although i use my lift to do as much as i can in the air since im old and do the the rest on the ground,

There is a whole process video on replacing the bushings on @theroverstation IG page

I just did my classic yesterday since my rack was free at the shop. Ive been meaning to do it for over 5 years. the bushings finally just disintegrated so i parked it and have been driving the wifes disco for the last few months.

 

[jymmiejamz]

I’m just curious, how are shops doing D2 bushings without the special tools? The installers are tapered since the bushing is oversized

 

[special ed]

I’m just curious, how are shops doing D2 bushings without the special tools? The installers are tapered since the bushing is oversized

I have an old OTC master front end kit that i have been using for over 25 years. it has plenty of options to pretty much press any bushing or ball joint.

 

[Knightspirit]

Just notes from yesterday on how i do it. I have done hundreds. I remove all the nuts on arm bolts. Place a ratchet strap on the axle from the front and snug it up. then start removing the bolts. Need to have the track rod off under the diff to get the arms off. I do one side at a time if your just doing the bushings but if changing to castor corrected arms will need to remove both. D1 fit radius rod to the frame first, D2 fit the radius rod to the axle when going back in i spread the tabs on the axle with a hammer just a little and use a jack to press the arm in place and a prybar to fine tune the location. the ratchet strap allows you to pull the axle back in place. it is best to do the whole thing on the ground and not jacked up although i use my lift to do as much as i can in the air since im old and do the the rest on the ground,

There is a whole process video on replacing the bushings on @theroverstation IG page

I just did my classic yesterday since my rack was free at the shop. Ive been meaning to do it for over 5 years. the bushings finally just disintegrated so i parked it and have been driving the wifes disco for the last few months.

I just finished this project - and wish I had tried it this way. I used another jack to put the arm in position - but it was a real pain getting them both back on after replacing the bushings!

 

[jymmiejamz]

I have an old OTC master front end kit that i have been using for over 25 years. it has plenty of options to pretty much press any bushing or ball joint.

Yeah I get that for most bushings. I normally use a ball joint press for speed since we’re often doing complete vehicle rebushings. The D2 radius arm bushings are unique since they have a plastic sleeve instead of metal and are quite a bit larger than the hole in the arm. I didn’t think it would be possible to press them in without the tapered tool.

 

[special ed]

Yeah I get that for most bushings. I normally use a ball joint press for speed since we’re often doing complete vehicle rebushings. The D2 radius arm bushings are unique since they have a plastic sleeve instead of metal and are quite a bit larger than the hole in the arm. I didn’t think it would be possible to press them in without the tapered tool.

I put the bushings in the freezer overnight but if you see my video i taper the edge to help guide the bushing into the arm when starting it. I have destroyed a few bushings getting a good process down for doing them over the years i still order an extra 1 of each just in case (i keep the extras on hand in the freezer too. if i get therm all in together in one piece.