Unfortunately, I think my RA bushings have about had it on my 94 EB 4x4. I was thinking of replacing them myself with some new poly bushings but am unsure of the amount of time, tools and technical experience required to do so. I read the Haynes manual, but the instructions seem to be a little vauge. I'm no machanic but I can do small things like plugs, wires, t-stat etc. My question is for those of you who have replaced the bushings yourselves. Was it worth the effort or would I be better off taking it to a professional? I'm not sure what a mechanic would charge to replace them, but I'm guessing it would be in the $200 dollar range. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
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Advice on changing RA bushings
- Thread starter npearman
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well
I havent done it yet myself, but I will as soon as the weather allows. I think it would depend on your selection of tools and how much time youre willing to spend doing it.
Its semi-complex to get the radius arms out of the brackets to replace the bushings, but for the price ($200+) you'll pay a mechanic, you can buy a whole urethane kit (Energy suspension) and do the entire truck, plus buy any tools you need to do the job. Explorer Express has a RA Bushing kit for $34.95 or so..so if you just wanted to replace those, you'd save alot of dough...just be willing to dedicate a weekend to partially disassembling the front suspension to do it. You might also consider the whole bushing kit to replace your axle pivot & sway bar bushings, and even the tie rod end boots too.
If you dont feel comfortable getting that involved with the vehicle, or dont have the time for it, you might be better off to take it in and have it done, though I'm not sure how long it takes a shop to do it.
I havent done it yet myself, but I will as soon as the weather allows. I think it would depend on your selection of tools and how much time youre willing to spend doing it.
Its semi-complex to get the radius arms out of the brackets to replace the bushings, but for the price ($200+) you'll pay a mechanic, you can buy a whole urethane kit (Energy suspension) and do the entire truck, plus buy any tools you need to do the job. Explorer Express has a RA Bushing kit for $34.95 or so..so if you just wanted to replace those, you'd save alot of dough...just be willing to dedicate a weekend to partially disassembling the front suspension to do it. You might also consider the whole bushing kit to replace your axle pivot & sway bar bushings, and even the tie rod end boots too.
If you dont feel comfortable getting that involved with the vehicle, or dont have the time for it, you might be better off to take it in and have it done, though I'm not sure how long it takes a shop to do it.
DUDE, I replaced mine last year, piece of cake and I am like you, not much of a mechanic, but love to save the money if I can do it myself. There are 2 ways to go, The book way and the non professional way. I went the non pro way. Buy the bushings and if you have a dremmel tool and some drill bits to cut thru rivits you are all set. Dead Link Removed
use the link for more info and if ya have any questions just post here. I could do the whole thing now in about 2 hours(now that I know what to do)
use the link for more info and if ya have any questions just post here. I could do the whole thing now in about 2 hours(now that I know what to do)
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I am a super slow mechanic and it took me all day to do the job. It was tough for me. I got showered with sparks and about got a stiff neck from craning up into there for hours. Even though I am a hoss, I found it to be one of the more physically demanding car jobs I have done, mainly because you spend a lot of time on your back reaching up to tighten bolts and drill rivets.
Do a search of this message base to find tons of info on changing RA bushings on 91-94's.
Do a search of this message base to find tons of info on changing RA bushings on 91-94's.
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whoa
Great page JAX...lotta good stuf on there.
I was under the impression the RAs would just come out of the brackets if you took apart some of the front TTB assembly or perhaps unbolted them from the TTB assembly too?
I'm gonna be redoing my front suspension setup anyway, so I figured thatd be a good time to do it.
Great page JAX...lotta good stuf on there.
I was under the impression the RAs would just come out of the brackets if you took apart some of the front TTB assembly or perhaps unbolted them from the TTB assembly too?
I'm gonna be redoing my front suspension setup anyway, so I figured thatd be a good time to do it.
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Yes, you can pull the radius arm right out of the bracket if you want to use the "Ford" method. Once the RA is out of the bracket, all you have to do is pull off the bushings and replace. Sounds easy enough, but in order to get to that point, you must remove the front tires, both shocks, the front springs, and loosen the axle pivot bolt. All to remove a little bushing.
The other method (and a better method imo) involves drilling out 4 bracket rivets (2 a side) undoing 4 bolts, and pulling the brackets. Replace the drilled rivets with Grade 8 bolts and locknuts. Now, I can change my RA bushings in an hour if I want to, no front end disassembly required. Just unbolt the bracket. That's the way it should have been designed in the first place. Ford only put in those 2 rivets on the bracket to cut costs. It's cheaper for them to pop in a rivet than to mess with a bolt and locknut/washer.
I suppose if you are going to be changing out your tie rod ends or changing your shocks or springs, then it would be advantageous to use the "Ford" method.
The other method (and a better method imo) involves drilling out 4 bracket rivets (2 a side) undoing 4 bolts, and pulling the brackets. Replace the drilled rivets with Grade 8 bolts and locknuts. Now, I can change my RA bushings in an hour if I want to, no front end disassembly required. Just unbolt the bracket. That's the way it should have been designed in the first place. Ford only put in those 2 rivets on the bracket to cut costs. It's cheaper for them to pop in a rivet than to mess with a bolt and locknut/washer.
I suppose if you are going to be changing out your tie rod ends or changing your shocks or springs, then it would be advantageous to use the "Ford" method.
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