axle pivot bushings

[treehuger]

Hi everyone,
Im looking for info on swapping in poly axle pivot bushings. In particular:
How difficult?
Special tools? (puller, press, etc...)
Time needed?

Also I do alot of offroad driving, nothing too extreme
(truck is mostly stock) Just lots off trail driving and when any front end articulation takes place I get a loose knock sound/vibration right under my accelerator pedal thru the floor board.
Ive replaced the radius arm bushings and the only thing I can find with any play is the driveline where it connects to the front diff (not the ujoint, but the actual connection) Incidently the sound is pretty close to what is heard in the cab and the location matches the vibration. Otherwise I suspect the axle pivot bushings?
Any thoughts?
Thanks as always,
Doug

 

[Marvin-the-Martian]

Me too

I was wondering the same thing Doug, Hey those Radius arm bushings you put in are they Poly as well. I also wanted to add to your question the Springeye bushings and sway bar bushings....the whole package from James Duff.....is it possible for a guy to do himself.....????

 

[treehuger]

Hi Marvin,
Yes the bushings are poly. The only difficult thing about changing the sway bar and rear springs (imo)is pressing the old ones out. The sway bar isnt bad, but the rear spring was a pain. Even after cutting, pressing and cussing the old rubber out, you are left with a metal sleeve that on my first attempt (driver side) required an all day beating with hammer and chisel to remove. I realized later that the spring eye has as slit that you can get a hack saw blade into and slice the sleeve. Once this is done its easy to pound the sucker out.
The radius arms (in my opinion) were much easier, inspite of having to remove the factory rivots on the frame/cross member. You will find many step by step aproaches on this site and varying opinions as to the difficulty.
But I thought it was easy compared to the rear spring bushings.
Ex:
Score a cross pattern in the rivot head with a dremel cut off blade, chisel the head off, drill out the center of the rivot, punch out the remains of the rivots using a hammer/punch..
unbolt the the radius arm end bolts and the four bolts that hold the center of the cross member together. take off old bushings and replace.
Caution:
For the record, you must of course elevate & support the front of the vehicle, take off front wheels, unbolt bottom shock bolt, etc.
I just wanted to head off any fears about the rivots, youll find there are a lot of opinions on the difficulty of removing them, sorry for running on and on.
Doug

 

[Marvin-the-Martian]

thanks doug....sounds like I could do it.....and I will now that you told me.....I am gonna buy all the poly bushings and a body lift from James Duff and probably the prerunner bumper and blow about 3 days putting it all in....I got a line feed welder at my Uncle's place and I am sure at some point it will come in Handy....This Web site is as addicting as the build up bug.....but the comraderie is amazing and welcome.
Chris

 

[treehuger]

Anybody????

Anybody got info on this?
Please help,Im going to the Uinta Mountains here in Utah this weekend and I really could use some feedback on possible solutions or precautions.
I believ some of you folks with suspension lifts must have done work with the axle pivots (ie. swapped brackets, etc.) and any info on this or the issue with my front diff/driveline would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,
Doug

07/20/000
Did I piss someone off on this site or what?

I always try to contibrute to others questions, and though I may not have as much knowledge as some of the more experienced members I at least try. Particularly to help those who are doing mods that I have already done or are even less mechanical.
Ive never started any confrontation with anyone here nor have I bitten back at those few who have attempted to drag me into pissing contests.
So am I just being paranoid or did I piss someone off?
Thanks,
Doug


[Edited by treehuger on 07-20-2000 at 08:33 AM]