What exactly are Radius Arms?????

[cantspell]

Hello,
I"m pretty good with cars, but it seems i still have a lot to learn about x's. Anyways, what do the radius arms do and where exactly are they? And what happens when the bushings go bad?????

I've searched, and i know that problems with the front end can be assocated with bad bushings on the r.a., so i'm going to take a look, but I'd like to know what to look for!

thanks!

 

[section525]

I doubt radius arms are your problem... They're only on 1st gen Explorers. They're part of the TTB setup.

 

[mattadams]

Section525, not necessarily true... at least I dont think so. My F-150 has the IFS and torsion bar setup and it still uses radius arms, not quite the same as with the older style explorer, but it is basically the bar that keeps the front axle from being pushed back... They are basically bars that attach to your front axle, and then to your frame a few feet behind the axle.

 

[SpartanLim96]

hmm, most SFA DON'T have radius arms. . .

cantspell. . . what othre message board have i seen you at? customtruckshowcase?

 

[CoryL]

Radius arms are used to prevent an axle or beam from rotating as well as position the axle fore and aft.

IFS setups do NOT have radius arms. They use braces to keep crossmembers from shifting.

 

[RFR2212]

Originally posted by SpartanLim96
hmm, most SFA DON'T have radius arms. . .

cantspell. . . what othre message board have i seen you at? customtruckshowcase?

Um lets see... SFA=Solid front axle

explorers never came w/sfa
they had either TTB (91-94)explorers and (way back-97) rangers i believe

lave model sploders have IFS

SFA do have radius arms... look at all the broncos... and f-150s from back in the day. Coil sprung solid axle with radius arms

 

[mattadams]

Cory, I can show you my radius arms if you'd like? Or whatever, it may not be called a radius arm but it does the same thing, and it uses bushings just like ar adius arm does.

 

[cantspell]

Originally posted by SpartanLim96
hmm, most SFA DON'T have radius arms. . .

cantspell. . . what othre message board have i seen you at? customtruckshowcase?

Hey there, I did post a little on Customtruck.... I had intended to get a Grand Cherokee...anyways, here I am, with my X, and generaly, i have to say i love it.

My suspension seems to be loud, and Iv'e read all the posts about it, but i'm still not sure. Actully, some of the noise i would hear, turned out to be a result of having VERY low air pressure in the front wheels, so we'll see how it feels with new rubber on tomorrow.

 

[CoryL]

Originally posted by mattadams
Cory, I can show you my radius arms if you'd like? Or whatever, it may not be called a radius arm but it does the same thing, and it uses bushings just like ar adius arm does.

It doesn't do the same thing a radius arm does.

A radius arm is used to determine the caster on a solid axle or TTB equipped vehicle and locate it.

The bracing for your SLA setup is used to prevent the lower crossmember from shifting forward or backwards and that is all. It doesn't determine the caster or locate the "axle" through it's travel.

What you have is more like a traction bar.

 

[mattadams]

heh heh, my manual calls it a radius arm so *nyah*!

 

[FourXFred]

hey section 525, what are those radius arms in your picture off of?they dont look like there off an ex to me, and i was kinda curious.

 

[section525]

http://www.off-road.com/ford/zim/radius.html