Pistonman

I am trying to decide if I need new bushings or not. The truck is an 87 4x4 and has been sitting with no engine in it for 8 years. I have it stripped to the body and frame. I have a complete OME suspension with BJ spacers, T bars, rear springs, shocks and stab. I have a new engine built, all new brakes, rotors, drums, bearings, seals, etc. I built a new diff with a 6 cyl carrier and Lockrite... I have the upper arms off, but not the lowers. The bushings are not loose, but the opposite- they seem a little tight.After spray lubing the lower bushings and working them I can move the arms up and down but they seem to have a memory. The upper arms can hardly be moved by hand, and of course this is without anything attached to them. I have never built an IFS truck, and I just do not know how freely the arms should move. I generally replace everything but I have already spent 5K in parts and I am still aways from completion, and just don't know if CA bushings are needed. Thanks

ewong

The bushings dont "rotate" like a bearing does.

The rubber is designed to "twist" and spring back... like a rubber band.

If the rubber is dried and cracked looking - then they are shot.
If the inner sleeve rotates separately from the arm - they are shot or they are urethane replacements.....

Pistonman

That is what they do, twist and spring back. I will have to look closer for cracks and dry rot.