How to replace radius arm bushes - pictures

<span>The large M20 Nyloc nut that secures the front radius arm to the chassis bracket is loosened using a 30mm socket wrench and a breaker bar.</span>

<span style="font-size: 0.8125em;">The castle nut on the track rod end is removed and the joint separated with a joint splitter. Track rod is then tied to one side.</span>

Before loosening the radius arm bolts at the axle, the axle is supported with a transmission jack. Use a trolley jack if working on axle stands.

<span>Each radius arm’s two front bolts (shown), and the single nut at the chassis end, are removed and the arm gently prised free and lifted down.</span>

<span>The removed radius arms had polyurethane type bushes fitted. The bushes at the chassis end and the two axle bushes seem relatively loose.</span>

<span>Old polyurethane bushes can usually be pressed out using a vice. In this case the empty bush sockets were usefully undamaged.</span>

<span>By contrast, here is a radius arm with OEM type bushes, which requires considerable force to push them out using a hydraulic press.</span>

<span>Both ends of the radius arms (chassis end here) should be cleaned up of all rust and debris. There was quite a lot of flaking rust in this one.</span>

<span>The kit of new bushes for the front radius arms is complete with metal inserts and a tube of lubricant, which hugely aids fitting.</span>

<span>The special grease is used to lubricate all contact points between polyurethane and metal surfaces, including the metal inner bushes.</span>

<span>The front end (axle) bushes and metal inserts could be squeezed into the radius arm using a vice, though the press is simpler.</span>

<span>One half of the rear split bush is fitted to the chassis end of the radius arm, again with grease applied to the bush and the radius arm.</span>

<span>It’s good practice to fit new M16 radius arm bolts with new Nyloc nuts for the axle end, and new M20 Nyloc nuts for the chassis end.</span>

<span>The rear of the radius arm is located in the chassis, then the front end (shown) is fitted to the axle using new greased bolts and locknuts.</span>

<span>The rear outer bush half, washer and new locknut is fitted to the radius arm and tightened up. Then all nuts are re-checked.</span>