This has been beaten to death, but....

[Marty]

Truck: 1994 Mazda Navajo 4x4

Problems: Radius Arm Bushings (big surprise, huh?)

I am debating on replacing the bushings myself. I will use the drop the spring method. I don't want to grind the rivets and go through that.

I have read a number of posts on here, and have been reading post after post. I read all kinds of different stuff. If I do this, I want to do it in a way as to not cause any damage to the truck, such as u-joints, etc.

As I understand it, I am going to put the truck up on jackstands supported on the frame. And then:

1) Remove the 28 mm radius arm bolt.

2) Unhook the sway bar.

3) Remove the shock from the bottom mount

4) Remove the bolt/nut from the bottom of the spring mount and allow the suspension to swing free.

The question starts here. Once this is done, is it difficult to pull the suspension far encough forward to get the radious arm to slip out of the bracket so that I can put the new bushing on? If it is difficult, how do I do it? Is there anything else I need to remove or loosen to make this work? What are the risks, and how to I minimize them?

I have heard things like:

Loosen the axle pivot bolt and be carefult when pulling the suspension forward.

What should be added to these, and are these necessary.

 

[mattadams]

seems to be like you've got it! The only real risk is dropping the axle and even that isn't SO bad... I'd keep it on a jack though... if its the first time changing them you may need to give them ar eally hard tug or even use a come-along or something to pull it forward enough to where youc an get the old bushing off and put on the new one.

 

[Blaine122300]

Take the big radius arm nut off before you drop the axle down. It puts it at an angle where you can't really get a rachet in there. take off the sway bar bolt and the bottom shock nut before jacking. Jack where you would if changing a tire, when you get all the way up, you can put the jack stand under the frame and let the axle down slowly. the radius arm should come out fairly easily with a little tugging forward on the axle. The drivers side will be easier b/c the axle half drops farther on that side. On the passenger side, you may have to push down on the axle a little while pushing forward. It's not hard to do though. Hope this helps!! Oh yeah, take your brake calipers off also. Its real real easy. Just squeeze the pins and punch them out. You may have to push on the caliper to push the piston in a little, or use a channel lock pliers to get it in. It makes it even easier. Now you won't have to worry about your brake lines. Just hang them up by the top of your spring with a wire tie or something similar.

Have Fun!

Andy

 

[Garyboy]

Hello ... It's none of my business but why on earth don't you just grind off the rivits and be done with it? If you use grade 8 bolts it's as strong or stronger than stock and a big job made simple! Whatever ... don't use rubber they only lasted me 50K. The poly's are still going at 70K. Later Gary

 

[Anime]

easy

Just use a comealong like Matt said to yank the side you are working on forward and it should be a breeze. I found it was useful to have the axle resting on a jack with wheels aimed forward to make the work easier.
The passenger side is slightly harder to do since you have to lower that side of the TTB enough to clear the drivers side. Just take your time and move things smoothly and easily.

 

[Marty]

I decided to let a local garage do it. What a mistake. They quoted me $288 to do it. I said okay. Well, I go to pick it up. I look at the passengers side. They had ground the heads of the two rivets off, but did not punch out the rivet studs and had not replaced them with anything. The side of the radius arm bracket was not fastened to the frame at all. On the drivers side, you could see where they started to grind one rivet and then changed their mind and replaced those the Ford way. Needless to say, I was not pleased. They now have the truck back and are grinding the rest of the rivets out and replacing them with grade 8 steel bolts at no additional charge. Why doesn't anybody take pride in their work, and why do they not think the customer will look at their work?

By the way, I did replace them with poly bushings.

Oh, and they didn't put the heat shield back on the passenger side. Geeesh!

 

[Marty]

The saga continues.

I go to pick it up again. Service manager says "She's all ready sir!"

I look at the passenger side. Looks good. Bolts have replaced rivets, and the work looks very good. Go to the driver's side. Nothing! Hasn't even been touched. Still have a half ground rivet head, and a rivet that wasn't touched. Needless to say, I didn't pick the truck up. Maybe I can get it today.