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How to Replace Radius Arm Bushings on Ford F150?

How to Replace Radius Arm Bushings on Ford F150?

Here are 7 easy steps for removing and adding new radius arm bushings on Ford trucks. All of these DIY methods are easy, and you can do them at home.

How to Replace Radius Arm Bushings on Ford F150? You can replace radius arm bushings on the Ford F150 by removing the lug nuts and pivot bolts. Then locate the radius arm and clean the surface. Next, add a new product, relocate the spring, and attach the wheel.

Sometimes rattling of the front side, disturbing steering alignment, or tire cupping is a signal to change the arm bushings.

How to Replace Radius Arm Bushings on Ford F150?

The radius arm bushings are an integral part of the suspension system. The requirements or the tools to replace them are supporting jacks, wrench, lever, sockets, new bushings.

Lose the lug nuts

Firstly, support the rear tires of the vehicle with support jacks. Then, elevate it to a suitable level by a lever.

The precise placement of the automobile on the support jack is necessary.

Any imbalance can cause injury.

It is dangerous to work under or over the vehicle when placed on a support.

You have to lose the lug nuts of the front wheel with the lug wrench. The wheel separates after lug nuts detachment from the wheel hub.

Always use the accurate size wrench to remove the lug nuts; it can stick on in other cases.

The bushings are present on the anterior and backside of the device. It prevents the vehicle’s arm from time to time wear out. So, changing this suspension system is necessary over time.

Locate the radius arm on Ford F150

It is present in connection with the shock absorber. So, when you remove the bolts and nuts with a wrench, it separates the arm and shock absorber.

Now, take out the bottom spring nuts and bolts by ratchet. Next, lift the spring present with an axle and place it aside.

The exposed parts when you take out the nuts include bushings, a washer as well as a spacer.

The snubber is another name for the shock absorber. It prevents any disorientation of automobiles as well as checks any vibratory disturbances. In combination with the bushings, it’s an integral part of the transport system’s suspension system.

The loose connection between both two may cause severe jerks and jumps on rough roads. So, after installing the new bushing, their correct positioning and tightening are necessary.

Removal of the pivot bolt

You have to lose the fixer in the axle arm, also called the pivot bolt. When you remove this, the whole part dropped down. After this, you can pull that off.

There is no need to take off the brake caliper. The next step is to take out the bottom located washer, bushing, and nut with a wrench.

The proper detachment and reattachment of the pivot bolt are necessary. Otherwise, this will create a problem at a slow speed. This problem proceeds even you have to park the vehicle.

The improper positioning and tightening of this may cause a noise like grinding or crunching. The front wheels may toe out because of this, even on slight compression on the bushings.

A suitable way to sort out this problem is to visit a professional mechanic to align the vehicle properly.

After detachment of the pivot bolt, try to cleanse the location with a degreaser. Remove any dirt or clutter with wet fabric, duster, or specific brushing. 

Installing new radius arm bushings

It is better to put some white lithium grease after positioning bushings to not ride up against the vehicle’s metal part. Now, tighten the nut, followed by a swivel bolt-on axle, and tense it again with a socket wrench.

The correct installation is necessary. Do not use force, otherwise, it may cause difficulty in steering alignment, or if it loses, it may cause rattling or clunking.

Spring relocation

The spring relocates by fixing its nuts and bolts by ratchet. Place the brake caliper. Now, connect it with the shock absorber and then secure it.

If everything goes according to instructions, it can enhance the life span and the vehicle’s efficacy. The chances of any damage, distortion, crashing, and disorientation are low after ensuring the specified guidelines.

It is essential to tighten the nuts or check the nuts at regular intervals right from start-up to removing the pivot bolt.

Placement of wheel

The next step is to place the wheels on the wheel assembly and fix them with a lug nut.

After positioning the wheel, replace hubcaps and screw bolts. In the end, pulls out support jacks.

The primary considerations are bushing selection such as bolts, several nuts in the axle, pitch, bolts pattern, materials such as rubber or polyurethane, and the thickness required for proper fixing.

Check the proper alignment of the steering wheel before driving. Then plaid the automobile in a controlled condition.

The vehicle needs a routine examination. The torque process, as well as visual inspection, is necessary.

When to replace the radius arm bushings?

  • The clunking noise even at a speed as low as 5 mph and on small jumps.
  • The vehicles show symptoms when the steering wheel shows any wandering and alignment disturbance.
  • The other point is when it shows sound due to the D to R shift and back again with the foot brake.
  • It needs to change when the thump again due to light braking stopping.
  • The other factors include the rattle noise on the front side as well as tire cupping.
  • The most prominent factor is a wheel turning during diving. It mainly occurs in one way, but you have to check both sides.

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