Quote:
Originally Posted by justindavis
So, i narrowed down my clunking in thr front end to either the shocks or the radius arm bushing since ive replaced everything else in the front end . ball joints, tie rods, drag link, wheel bearings.... anyways, i had a previous thread about what the noise could be and i think its the radius arm bushings. i know how to do it, problem is, I can not get the main nut off that holds the radius bushing onto the raidus arm. its the nut that is 1 1/8 inch, ive hit it with an impact, puts about 4 foot extension on a rackets, broke the rachet....I sprayed the nut on both sides with PB blaster today and im going to let it soak in, maybe that will help. On the driver side, I am afraid to apply heat becaue the fuel lines are right there, they are pretty close. the one on the passenger side should do-able with heat. finaly i figured i should come here before i break something. So, has any one else had this issue? anyone know any tricks??? i am trying to avoid getting all new radius arms.
I was thinking about maybe ordering new radius arms and cutting the old ones off if i cant get the nut loose as a last resort.
any input helps. thanks
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by the way, its a 1997 xlt 2.3 I-4 5 speed stick. 63k original, michigan truck
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When I replaced mine I used a long 1/2" breaker bar with a 3' pipe over the end of the bar to gain leverage and torque. I didn't care if I broke the socket as it was a name brand that would be replaced if it gave out. I do remember how tight/stuck the nuts were and they were a beach. I wouldn't have attempted that with a ratchet. I imagine I applied several hundred pounds of torque to the nuts.
If you end up heating the nut the gas lines shouldn't be an issue, just apply the heat to the nut alone and don't let the heat transfer into the frame/hangers. If you can heat just the nut it should grow enough to come free.
Good luck.
R