steering and suspension Radius rod bushing replacement

[LateApex]

Can stock front radius rod bushings be swapped for urethane with the rest of the suspension in place or is there not enough play? 

[xferboy]

It probably could be done, but I've always thought removing a few more parts makes the job quicker and easier, and I've been proving it to myself more and more recently.

 

I just re-did all the front wear parts, so I had to pull everything apart, but just for that job, you could:

 

remove the caliper, hanging it wire from something other than suspension, (no need to rebleed)

 

Then remove the bolt at the subframe, radius arm, undo sway bar and strut bearing and the whole thing should come right out

 

Now you can do the job on the bench, rather than upside done in the car....

 

just my $0.02

[LateApex]

I hear you, but full disassembly is not an option right now.  I'm hoping someone will have attempted this and know if it is feasible.

[Hans]

It could be done, on a lift would be better. Getting the old ones out is the trick. For the extra time/cost, i'd replace the whole arm.

[TobyB]

You mean the ones in the subframe, right?

 

Yes, they can, but the nose bodywork may get in your way.  if you don't

mind bending the front lip up so that you can get to it, then no problems.

A rusty or bondo'ed nose may self- destruct when you try the bend.

But it's just one layer, and if it's not pristine, but not really ratty, then it'll bend out of the way.

Or you can lower the subframe the 3/4" or whatever it takes.  That's not 

too hard, either- if you're 

If you have the rubber bushings still in there, then you need to figure out

a puller that won't mack you schnoz any more than it has to;

then it's pull the big pivot bolt out of the subframe where the suspension arm's attached so that the strut will lean back

enough to get the radius rod out of the bushing, and have at it.

I've never had to mess with the brakes or anything- if the bolt's out, the lower 

suspension arm can pivot freely on the ball joint so that the radius rod can come out.  It's a bit

fussy, but it's not too tricky. 

 

Unless you drop the car on yourself.

 

t

Edited April 18, 2016 by TobyB