Disco Colo, send me your number and lets talk bushings.

Leaky Disco, what sort of a difference did you experience?

 

I just did both of my and took them down to Les Schwab to have them press the bushings out and press the new ones in. They told me that it was extremely difficult to push out. THe shop said it sort of maxed out their 12 Ton press.

But it was pretty easy to take the radius arms out and put them back out. I have gotten pretty good at it and would have to agree your floor jack is your new best friend.

 

I have been told to put soap on the bushings prior to installing them, they will slip in easier.

 

There was a fair amount of creaking and shuddering going over bumps. Also, at least one of the radius arms would clunk when stopping and pulling ahead when the roads were wet.

Beyond that, I am preparing the truck for an extended back-road adventure next summer, so I decided now was a good time to swap them.

 

No more shuddering going over bumps, less creaking noises, no more "clunk" under my foot when stopping/starting in the rain, firmer ride (partly due to HD springs, but also enhanced by new bushings).

YMMV, but I have been pleased with the changes and figure it's one less thing I have to wonder about on my long list of maintenance items.

 

Tire shop did my front ones on Saturday and they stated that their 12 ton press was maxed out trying to get them out and put back in. a 20 ton press would have made it easier for them. I just can't see spending the money on a press or giving up floor space in the garage when I am not going to use it more then the few times to do bushings and what not.

 

Just did mine on driver's side. I used oem bushings. Getting the old ones out of the radius arm with drill, hacksaw and chisel took a few minutes. I had the new ones in the freezer, I also heated the radius arm with a hot air gun then lubed the surfaces with remington gun oil before pressing them in with a 61/2 " long, 1/2" grade 8 bolt and a 1 1/4" pipe coupling and plug ***'y. Went in much easier than any bolt i ever had to remove on this car. Prior to that, I actually had to cut the front bolt off with a sawzall and pry the sway bar joints away after loosening the sway bar bushing to get the back bolt out: that's what took the most time.