Advice on taking off long arms for bushing change

671 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by seapahn, Nov 16, 2010

seapahn

Discussion Starter · Nov 8, 2010

I'm going to be changing a couple of bushings soon on my FT 6" long arms and I was looking for some advice for anyone who might have done similar things before. I am going to try to take off just the tri-link V-bar that goes from the frame to the top of the rear axle without unbolting anything else hopefully.

My plan is to lift and support the frame near the middle with jack stands and then lift the rear axle a bit to support its weight and stick a couple of stands under there. Would that be a good way to get the v-bar out? Should I let the rear axle just hang free by the springs? Or should I just lift and support the jeep with the rear axle?

What about the arms? Can I support the frame and the axle and then safely just unbolt the arm to change the bushings?

Any advice and tips would really be appreciated!

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Squatchy07

· #2 · Nov 8, 2010

seapahn said:
Or should I just lift and support the jeep with the rear axle?

No!

You'll need to support the Jeep at the frame rails and lower the axle so the rear springs aren't under any pressure. If not, you're chancing the rear axle shifting rearward/forward when you undo your top link. Then, depending on your setup, your links may bind when drooped like that and you'll hafta pull the springs then raise the rear axle back to the point that the links are free. Undo the bolts and pull the upper link. :wink:

Joey

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gregert12

· #3 · Nov 8, 2010

When I changed the upper bushings on the V-link, I used a ratchet strap to pull the pumpkin up and towards the rear bumper which kept the pressure off of the v-link for both to be changed.

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Squatchy07

· #4 · Nov 8, 2010

gregert12 said:
When I changed the upper bushings on the V-link, I used a ratchet strap to pull the pumpkin up and towards the rear bumper which kept the pressure off of the v-link for both to be changed.

Or, this. Does away with the binding, and keeps the axle from moving. And no jacking involved = less work.

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sludge puppy

· #5 · Nov 10, 2010

We should schedule a weekend and knock it out. I have to do mine to. There are some peeps up here with shop space

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seapahn

Discussion Starter · #6 · Nov 16, 2010

Sounds like a plan

The bushings are on order from Northridge so I should be getting them soon. Thanks for the tips. I'm going to try the ratchet strap technique to see if I can get the V-bar off. I'll definitely throw some jack stands under the frame just for the heck of it anyway.

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