i finally decided to dig into my front end in order to replace all the bushings and wearable parts, before i started i saw a video about pulling the twin I beam and radius arm out, but it wasnt for a 4wd pickup like mine.

I just recently had the rotors and wheel bearings replaced and i wanted to know if i will have to pull the front drive lines out in order to get enough motion on the axle and radius arm in order to swap out those bushings? I was just hoping to not have to dig into them again.

Thanks for any info/experience you can share.

 

Usually people will remove the radius arm brackets to change those bushings. Grind off/punch out the rivets that hold it and replace them with grade 8 bolts.
Quite often you will find that it's already been done before and all you have to do is undo the bolts.
The traction beam pivot bushings can be done without completely removing the traction beams, but it'll be a pain trying to remove/replace them under the truck.

 

thanks for the tip, i've gotten both bolts out but without a lift and few spots to support the truck with where i'm working i've been hesitant to just start yanking on it and have the truck tip on me!

 

ended up just taking all apart anyways... just too difficult to work on it under the truck but is it ok for the spring to be hand loose on the bottom?

 

quick question

i put the bushing back in the beam and when i double checked it, it popped right back out.

i went through the motions to put it in with the bearing press, double checking all my contact points and everything was right. i even applied so much pressure I bent the wrench 3 times. yet it still popped right back out.

do i have the wrong bushings, is it even a big deal?