Do You Need to Repair the Bushings on Your Truck?

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As you strive to get as much productivity out of your truck as possible, wear and tear will be inevitable. You need to ensure that you maintain the vehicle at recommended intervals and be as proactive as you can to try and avoid failure. Still, some components get more abuse than others and this is especially the case when it comes to bushings. These particular parts (typically made from rubber) help to keep individual components apart and prevent metal on metal deterioration. Where can you find these bushings, how can you tell if they are worn and what can you do if they are?

Bushings in Action

There are a number of different bushings on your vehicle and they can be found in the engine bay, under the transmission or throughout the suspension system. For example, they help to maintain the rigidity of the stabiliser bar to ensure that ball joints can move through a variety of different angles or to support a tie rod on the end of the steering rack. They have to deal with friction and high levels of stress which will inevitably cause them to break down with time, and they can also be exposed to high temperatures, road debris, weather conditions and oil.

Looking for Trouble

It can be difficult to determine whether a particular bushing is faulty or not. Some will cause issues with the handling, while others may generate a very specific noise. Certain bushings are pre-lubricated while others are not, and sometimes, it is simply a matter of adding lubrication, while at other times the bearing may need to be replaced. Remember, if you need to change a bearing on one side of the vehicle then the chances are high that you will need to replace its matching pair on the other.

Replacing a Bushing

If you were to do this yourself, you would need the right tools and a lot of spare time. To replace a suspension bushing you will need to lower the suspension by removing the assembly and disconnecting the shock absorber bolts. You will probably need to disconnect the rear brake lines as well and should have a container at hand in case you need to capture any brake fluid or oil.

Once you have removed the bushing assembly, you will need to use a vice in order to remove the bushings themselves and this may require an element of brute force. Remember, these bushings have been in place for some time and have been subject to a lot of tension, vibration and stress.

Better Approach

This can be quite a major undertaking, especially if you have several pairs of bushings to replace. Consider taking the vehicle into a qualified repair specialist instead so that you can concentrate on other business matters.

For more information, contact a truck servicing repair company.

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30 July 2019

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