I'll post this up in the suspension section also, but need some info or tips on changing out the radius arm bushings and the axle pivot bushings. Figured on supporting the front frame itself and logic tells me that instead of letting the front wheels just hang I should maybe take the "load off" by slightly raising each wheel so I can break loose the bolts, change the bushings out, etc. My question is when I go to tighten everything up, especially with the axle pivot bushings, do I leave the slightly raised wheels where they are now? Or do I completely raise them up taking any kind of load off the bushing/bolt assembly and then tighten? I would think with them just up enough to take the initial weight off would be ok to tighten them then, but wanted to ask to be sure. Thanks! Also, which ones do I change out first, tighten up? Or do I leave both sections loose and tighten up one or the other first? Thanks again.

 

You can break them loose what ever way your most comfortable with, just make sure everything is supported before you pull the bolts out. Whenever you tighten suspension busings you want to do it with weight on the suspension. I would put all the nuts and bolts together then put the tires on and put the truck down on the ground then crawl underneath and tighten them. Bushings are made to flex but they only have a certain range of movement. If you tighten the bolts with the suspension unloaded it will stretch the bushings when you put the vehicle on the ground, then if you hit a big enough bump it could tear them. Not many mechanics do it that way except at performance shops because it takes too long but it will greatly extend the life of the bushings.

Btw, the radius arm nut is *$@%! to get off, i had to heat it up cherry red with a torch 3 times before i could break it loose with a 3/4" impact gun. At the very least you might want to spray all the bolts and stuff with penetrating oil the day before.

-Jon