You Might Want to Replace Those Frame End Radius Arm Bushings

[Nay]

Using a booty fab press tool borrowed from Mad Baggins , I finally got my frame end radius arm bushings replaced. Made a big difference in front end stability, I was quite surprised at the difference.

If you have had a nagging feeling that you just can't get your front end to feel stable, these could be the culprit. The MB PT (Mad Baggins Press Tool ) may be willing to hit the road for relatively small donations, but you'll have to inquire

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

How did you determine your were bad?
Visually how do they look different from the old bushing?

 

[retrofive]

Any pics?

 

[-Spike-]

How did you determine your were bad?

They're all bad. They're old.

-Spike

 

[Nay]

How did you determine your were bad?
Visually how do they look different from the old bushing?

I really didn't determine they were bad, I just figured I'd do them when I went back to stock rubber and caster plates because I figured that 15 year old rubber in a critical suspension function could probably use a refresh.

Come to find out that those bushings are a smaller diameter than the frame end, and nobody except your friendly dealer is going to have a press tool that works.

So I had them just sitting there @ $40 a pop or whatever they set me back, and it was bugging me, so I posted about a press tool, Mad Baggins said he'd fabbed one as was good enough to send it to me, so I swapped them out.

Visually they were just cracked some - pretty much 14 year old rubber vs. new rubber. Sorry, no pics, I just had the shop toss the old ones. It is clear that there is less impact deflection in the new bushings, and given the size and weight of the tires I've been running for the last 3 years, it really made a nice difference.

I didn't know it, but those bushings were the nagging problem I've been looking for. I was getting ready to tear into the front end, and that project is completely shelved for now as my 37's are running as nicely as 33" AT's ever did (well, the 37's are probably quieter and ride a lot nicer).

 

[Nay]

They're all bad. They're old.

-Spike

Exactly.

 

[cool breeze]

Front control arms ??

 

[Gabby]

Press Tool

Can you post a picture and dimensions on the "press tool". How difficult would it be to fab one up??

Did you do the labor yourself, or did you have an indy shop do it?

Thanks.

 

[MaddBaggins]

It was quite easy to make out of a couple of black MI fittings from a plumbing store and a bench grinder. It didn't take long to make and didn't cost much.
Nay was kind enough to offer a donation if I sent it on a field trip to his house. It hasn't made it back yet as of this writing, but should be along shortly.

Some pics of it here https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/279551-bushing-press-tool-size-radius-arm-frame-mount.html

 

[UCBerzerkeley]

Ok, I am still learning these trucks so bear with me, but which bushings are the end radius arm bushings? are you referring to the caster bushings, that can be replaced with slee blues for example? or is this something entirely different

 

[-Spike-]

The caster bushings go in the axle end of the radius arms, AKA front control arms. The bearings Nay is referring to are the ones that go in the frame end of the control arm, where the control arm bolts to the frame mount.

-Spike

 

[UCBerzerkeley]

Come to find out that those bushings are a smaller diameter than the frame end, and nobody except your friendly dealer is going to have a press tool that works.

Thanks for clearing that up Spike. now all i am confused by is the statement above. is nay talking about the same or different bushings there? should more bushings be replaced than just these frame end ones? afterall, 15 year old rubber bushings do sound oldish

 

[-Spike-]

'those bushings' he's referring to in that statement are the axle end bushings, for which there are press tools available. I believe he has the tool for the axle end bushings, and realized that the tool was too small in diameter to be used to press the frame end bushings out and in. Thus the shout-out in another thread and connection with Alvin, who had fabbed a tool to use with the frame end bushings.

Having gone through all this myself, I was able to follow the story. IIRC my solution was a large socket, maybe with a washer or something for a tighter fit as that's my usual M.O. Or it might have been an old bearing race or something- after I built my press I realized it might be helpful to keep stuff like that around.

-Spike

 

[Nay]

That's right. The frame end of the front radius arms has a smaller bushing diameter than the axle end bushings where you swap out for caster correction if you are going that route.

Those frame end radius arm bushings effectively locate the front axle in the perpendicular plane to the chassis, so if they are worn and allowing some movement it is going to be felt in your steering in a noticeable way.

MB BF press tool begins the ride back home tomorrow

 

[-Spike-]

The frame end of the front radius arms has a smaller bushing diameter than the axle end bushings where you swap out for caster correction if you are going that route.

Ah, my (bad) memory was that the frame end bushings were bigger, your recent experience says they're smaller, we'll go with that. Either way, a different press tool is needed.

-Spike

 

[cool breeze]

Anybody have the part number???

 

[TobyJug]

very nice I am giving the truck the full polybush treatment this week so hopefully that will change the stability.....
Looking forward to it now

 

[raydouble]

Anybody have the part number???

ToyoDIY.com

 

[lacruiser]

very nice I am giving the truck the full polybush treatment this week so hopefully that will change the stability.....
Looking forward to it now

I'd like to hear comments from you after you've done this. Ride quality, softness vs harshness, increased responsiveness, etc. etc.

I replaced all the suspension bushings in my front and rear ends last year, I went with OEM toyota except for castor correction bushings.

thanks

 

[TobyJug]

I'd like to hear comments from you after you've done this. Ride quality, softness vs harshness, increased responsiveness, etc. etc.

I replaced all the suspension bushings in my front and rear ends last year, I went with OEM toyota except for castor correction bushings.

thanks

will let you know.....