Center Arm Rebuild and Bushings

[thenative1]

Hi All!

I’m using the WFH time to rebuild the center arm of my ‘84 FJ45 Troopy and in getting things ready for it, the bushings on the attached arms seem shot. Despite Haynes and online research, I can’t track down an appropriate OEM or after-market part number. Does anyone in the IH8MUD hive mind know what parts these are? And for anyone who has rebuilt their center arms, it seems straightforward but are there any mistakes to avoid and/or other bits to replace while I’m in there? Thanks in advance for your (collective) help and stay safe!

 

[Jdc1]

Hi All!

I’m using the WFH time to rebuild the center arm of my ‘84 FJ45 Troopy and in getting things ready for it, the bushings on the attached arms seem shot. Despite Haynes and online research, I can’t track down an appropriate OEM or after-market part number. Does anyone in the IH8MUD hive mind know what parts these are? And for anyone who has rebuilt their center arms, it seems straightforward but are there any mistakes to avoid and/or other bits to replace while I’m in there? Thanks in advance for your (collective) help and stay safe!

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The first pic is grease from the failed seal on the center arm. The second pic is just a tie rod boot. If you are redoing the center arm, it might be a good time to replace the Tie rod ends and upset drag link at the pitman arm.

 

[Rainman]

The rebuild is really straight forward. Only a few parts and hard to get them mixed up. I actually have a new rebuild kit if you need one. And I agree with the tie rod replacement idea. Each junction has a little play and gets exaggerated by the time it gets to the steering wheel. And there are just too many of them in a stock Cruiser setup.

 

[thenative1]

The rebuild is really straight forward. Only a few parts and hard to get them mixed up. I actually have a new rebuild kit if you need one. And I agree with the tie rod replacement idea. Each junction has a little play and gets exaggerated by the time it gets to the steering wheel. And there are just too many of them in a stock Cruiser setup.

Thanks very much! I have the rebuild kit on hand and have just ordered tie rod ends to add that to the job. Need to determine if I have the appropriate tools here (and skill) to swap tie rod ends or need to take it to the local mechanic. Thanks again for the advice!

 

[thenative1]

The first pic is grease from the failed seal on the center arm. The second pic is just a tie rod boot. If you are redoing the center arm, it might be a good time to replace the Tie rod ends and upset drag link at the pitman arm.

Thanks very much - have just ordered the tie rod ends and will look into the drag link arm.

 

[EStein]

Hi All!

I’m using the WFH time to rebuild the center arm of my ‘84 FJ45 Troopy and in getting things ready for it, the bushings on the attached arms seem shot. Despite Haynes and online research, I can’t track down an appropriate OEM or after-market part number. Does anyone in the IH8MUD hive mind know what parts these are? And for anyone who has rebuilt their center arms, it seems straightforward but are there any mistakes to avoid and/or other bits to replace while I’m in there? Thanks in advance for your (collective) help and stay safe!

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Hi. Otramm has a great YouTube video on rebuilding the center link. Looks pretty straight forward. Also tire rod ends are a piece of cake. Getting them off is the worst. Lots of YouTube videos on how to do those as well. Doesn’t need to be vehicle specific. Save a ton of money and do it yourself.

 

[73FJ40]

@thenative1

Hi. Otramm has a great YouTube video on rebuilding the center link. Looks pretty straight forward. Also tire rod ends are a piece of cake. Getting them off is the worst. Lots of YouTube videos on how to do those as well. Doesn’t need to be vehicle specific. Save a ton of money and do it yourself.

Find and buy a pitman arm puller just like the one used in this video! It's effective for the center arm, the steering box if you ever get to that, and possibly the tie rod ends

Amazon product ASIN B00061SMS0
Don't use a pickle fork, particularly on the center arm. It will beat the hell out of the bottom of the center arm casting, wrecking the shoulder that holds the bottom seal.

 

[thenative1]

Hi. Otramm has a great YouTube video on rebuilding the center link. Looks pretty straight forward. Also tire rod ends are a piece of cake. Getting them off is the worst. Lots of YouTube videos on how to do those as well. Doesn’t need to be vehicle specific. Save a ton of money and do it yourself.

Thanks very much - that's the original video that inspired the rebuild. Will certainly watch it a few more times before tackling this.

 

[thenative1]

Thanks everyone - follow up question: is there a factory spec torque setting/range on the TRE nuts?

 

[bhsdriller]

No I don't think so....by the time it's on enough to get the cotter pin on you're good.

 

[OKMike]

Hi All!

I’m using the WFH time to rebuild the center arm of my ‘84 FJ45 Troopy and in getting things ready for it, the bushings on the attached arms seem shot. Despite Haynes and online research, I can’t track down an appropriate OEM or after-market part number. Does anyone in the IH8MUD hive mind know what parts these are? And for anyone who has rebuilt their center arms, it seems straightforward but are there any mistakes to avoid and/or other bits to replace while I’m in there? Thanks in advance for your (collective) help and stay safe!

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Howdy. Just did my FJ 40 center arm. It looks very similar. It was pretty straightforward. I took both Pitman arms off (the main one at the steering box and the one at the center arm) with no drama using a Harbor Frieght Pitman arm puller and an air impact. I was worried about that because there are a bunch of threads on here with Pitman Arm removal horror stories but mine were no trouble. Three peices of advice:

1. If you're going to take your big Pitman arm off (the one at the steering box) mark the arm and the splined shaft with a paint pen so you can put the arm back on just as it came off. (see pic).

2. If you replace the tie rods as part of the project be advised that they are different sizes depending on where they go. Some have longer, skinnier threaded ends that fit though the center arm's holes. If you buy a tie rod end kit dry fit them before you go final and don't force any of them into the center arm's openings with a dead blow. Ask me how I know. LOL.

Here is a good video of Ryan at OTRAMM rebuilding an FJ40 Center Arm Box. Presume its similar to yours. One thing he advises is to be careful when greasing the main center arm box after re-assembly. He says too much grease can blow out the lower seal on the box. He uses an odd looking Pitman arm puller--I used the standard Harbor Freight one which worked fine. Good luck!

 

[eaj71]

You can do all then work yourself

plan for it

there are vast resources on line

spend that $ on some decent tools and get a big bench vise

if project wrongway can. Anyone can