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Bad Radius Arms?

tabyers

Sr. Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2014
Messages
379
Loc.
Indiana
Does this mean I have to get new arms or am I missing something?
feaab1171cfa4109559f54c7e5c5da71.jpg



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langester

MASTER OF MADNESS
Joined
Mar 2, 2013
Messages
2,681
I have had to put a couple sets in a press to get them to match up. Not sure if that is the issue on yours or not but worth a shot.
 
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tabyers

tabyers

Sr. Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2014
Messages
379
Loc.
Indiana
I don’t see anywhere that the arm portion is bent. I don’t have a press, maybe I’ll pop into a machine shop and get turned down by a couple of them. I’m wondering how many used arms I would have to buy in order to get a match.


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sykanr0ng

Bronco Guru
Joined
Aug 11, 2014
Messages
5,363
Looking at how rusted away the back ends (top of the pic) are I would say to replace them anyway.

Those look like good candidates for making Lars bars out of.
 

langester

MASTER OF MADNESS
Joined
Mar 2, 2013
Messages
2,681
I was looking at the mismatch in the arms, I was assuming that was what you were talking about. My bad, I see the rust on the ends. I will say I have used some in the past that looked a little worse than those. To each their own on that issue for sure. I would agree that they would be great to make some Lars bars.
 
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tabyers

tabyers

Sr. Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2014
Messages
379
Loc.
Indiana
Yeah, I was talking about the mismatch. I’m not too worried about the rust. Thanks to both of you for the input though. Aftermarket is expensive


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Jfryjfry

Sr. Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2017
Messages
503
If you rotated one of them 180 would they line up? If so, maybe you could just remount the shock mount and use them
 

DirtDonk

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 3, 2003
Messages
51,619
there would still be re-drilling and tapping the spring cup mounting holes, so it's not a simple and quick operation. Not technically impossible I don't think. Just more work.

Never noticed a set like that where an arm was not bent somewhat. Often on purpose to fix the caster on one side, or fix a lean. But yeah, they sure both look straight.

But I don't think I'd be checking that on a pebbled surface like that either though. I'd find a smooth bit of concrete or steel, or even a thick board with a smooth surface and do the checking that way.
It would not take much of an imperfection in the surface at the face to offset something three feet up the line.

Paul
 
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tabyers

tabyers

Sr. Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2014
Messages
379
Loc.
Indiana
I know, they seem awfully undamaged to be out like this. The broken up side walk is just were I took the picture. They do the same thing everywhere I take them.


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jckkys

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Mar 15, 2012
Messages
5,221
The photo may be saying more about the sidewalk surface than the arms.
 
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tabyers

tabyers

Sr. Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2014
Messages
379
Loc.
Indiana
Seriously though, they look like this in the garage, on the porch, and in the living room too


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tabyers

tabyers

Sr. Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2014
Messages
379
Loc.
Indiana
Good excuse to order some of duffs arms

so down the rabbit's hole I go, or more like money pit. Are there any added benefits from the Duff T-Rex stock length arms, other than my wife not grinding my 31x10.50's when turning left. I've got a 2.5" SL and currently run 7 degree bushings with my stock arms. Thanks again everybody!
 

Monster Mike

Sponsor/Vendor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Dec 29, 2010
Messages
1,774
so down the rabbit's hole I go, or more like money pit. Are there any added benefits from the Duff T-Rex stock length arms, other than my wife not grinding my 31x10.50's when turning left. I've got a 2.5" SL and currently run 7 degree bushings with my stock arms. Thanks again everybody!

At first I thought these arms were just going to have a few cool benefits like you pointed out. As the testing continued the results were astounding.

I recently did a T. rex install video with Jon Melton from Nashville Early Broncos. The video will be out soon.

If you have any questions I am happy to help.

More great info here as well as the option to purchase:
https://www.dufftuff.com/Early_Bronco_T_Rex_Radius_Arms_p/5355.htm

MM
 

661buster1963

Full Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2009
Messages
309
what did the classic sidewalk guys.com say

Mine were much like yours only bent 180 degrees the other way, very subtlety. I gently bumped them staring with a press. They bend a little easier in the other plane, but they really don't look like they were hit, maybe always were that way?>
 
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tabyers

tabyers

Sr. Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2014
Messages
379
Loc.
Indiana
Yeah I'm thinking they might have been that way from the start. They came off a 77 donor with 40,000 miles on it.
I just went to a local Bronco builder today and picked up a matched pair. Looked at probably 8 different sets and they all had something wrong. These things must live a hard life.
The classic sidewalk guys said $2,300 for something totally un-Bronco related. I said No Thank you!
 

Broncobowsher

Total hack
Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
37,074
You are not measuring a valid reference point. The critical surface is where they interface with the bushing. That machined flat that you are resting them on means nothing. Mount them on the axle and are the frame ends of the arms at the same plane? Remember the bronco lean fix of playing with tightening sequence and try again. I'm pretty sure that they will work just fine. Might take a few tries to get the bushings in and the arms level to each other, but I get they will do it.
 
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tabyers

tabyers

Sr. Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2014
Messages
379
Loc.
Indiana
Yes I think you’re right. It’s been so long since I installed new c bushings that I forgot the details, but I must have been able to compensate for the difference somewhat. The truck did lean a little but when put on the floor with the tires still on, they weren’t that off from hitting at the same time. So that is a great point. I’m down to nuts and bolts and boxes right now, getting ready for body replacement so I’m trying to make good decisions so I’ve got the best chance to end up with a restore that is as clean as I can get it done. (Given my budget and application.) So... I found some ones in better condition. Might go Duff T-Rex in the future but I have a lot of my bronco budget tied up for a minute.


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