Gonna be changing my radius rod bushings right now. If I find any washers on the rod, should I remove them because im putting in new bushings? Is that the purpose of the washers because the bushing is getting worn down? TIA

 

the big washer have to go back on or the radius rod could go through the bushing.

 

i understand the big washer, but i mean if there are any other washers beside the big one...

 

My understanding is that the other, smaller washers are to adjust caster. You could take them out if you want, a small caster misalignment would be hard to notice. I left mine in when i replaced my bushings with ES bushings, and my caster came out correct. So you may want to try leaving them in.

 

Didnt get that far tonight, i tried to remove the locknut on the front of the subframe. Both sides were rusted to the big washer. I got to 3/4 of taking the rusted nut off the radius rod to have it strip on me and could not back it out.

 

That stinks. If you have trouble cutting them off without damaging the radius arms, replacements aren't that pricey:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...05808

 

did you use a penetrating oil to loosen up the rust? Lost of people don't use it but I don't understand why. The stuff prevents problems like stripping nuts/bolts and makes the job go soo much faster and easier.

 

i did use a penetrating oil. now my other question, does the subframe or the front come with a splash guard on a 5th gen? im thinking when i got into my accident that the splash guard was trashed or the auto body place did not put it back on. that is why the radius arms were rusted.