Radius Arm Bushings

[Sentry6]

Been doing some research and im about to replace my RA bushings, i ordered a set from "car quest" big parts provider here in the NE, any how they came threw as black rubber with a white nylon insert, a few large washers.. now i read that the improved bushings are poly-urethane and are usually red... guess im wondering if these are any good, and if not can someone suggest a place to get better ones

Thanks

 

[RiverRat]

I tried the poly ones but went back to rubber. They seem quieter and more flexible.

 

[msmith65]

Ditto RiverRat -- the polys on my '93 were so harsh I swapped them for rubber within a month.

Polyurethane transmits far more vibration and shock than rubber, which is why all the carmakers use rubber.

 

[DeRocha]

Rubber will give you a smooth ride and poly will last much longer. Cheap poly bushings are VERY hard (perfect circle for example). Quality poly bushings (Energy suspension, Daystar etc) offer the best of both worlds. They are flexible like rubber and durable like poly. Have your RA Bushings been removed before (Are you RA Frame brackets attached with Rivots in several places?)

 

[Sentry6]

looks like the right side has been replaced befor, the rivets have been replaced with bolts.. and the bushing is red, the left side is still black.. and very sloppy

 

[Sentry6]

when using the grind off rivet method, whats the best placement of jacks, also what kinda of load is on the radius arms? best to leave the weith of the vehicle on the front end or jack it up and let the wheels suspend?

Thanks again everyone

 

[beast]

get the black energy suspension polyurethanes, they made a huge difference on my truck.

 

[DeRocha]

I am assuming your have read the various radius arm bushing sections under the Suspension heading in the Explorer maint page (see my sig below). Anyway you want to support the car on the frame just behind where the RA brackets mount to the car. The front springs will support the front beams, but I recall keeping a floor jack under the beam at full droop so that I could raise it if needed to aide in the RA removal.

 

[DeRocha]

When are you planning on doing this work?