Coming to the tail end of the front end rebuild on my 93 5.0 XLT 4x4. Need some pointers regarding the radius arm bushings, tie rods and center link. Do I tighten the radius arm bushing nut down with the tires on and on the ground? And likewise with the tie rod and center link.

thank you.

 

I have always tightened steering and suspension fasteners with the vehicle weight on the tires.

 

Apologies for the delayed response, just finally getting around to this. Please excuse my ignorance if I’m asking noob questions.

So I need to tighten the following... pivot bushings, radius arm bushings, and tie rod ends. Is there a specific order I need to do these in? Also, do I tighten them all with the tires on the vehicle and off jack stands on the ground?

 

As long as everything is lubed properly it may not matter much because bushings should allow movement anyway. But, I would tighten things when they are in their "natural" position if I had concerns and no better source for facts. So, using that logic, tires on the ground for everything. In your case I would do pivot bushings first, radius arms next, then steering links last.

That's my opinion and I'm sticking with it, for now.

 

i really think you should torque everything before you activate the suspension. measure your tie rod/drag link from bolt to bolt before you remove it so you can make the new assembly the same length, im sure you know this but dont forget about an alignment after your all done.