So my '99 e150 work van's radius arms are rusting quite well. went to scrape off what I thought was paint peeling but turns out it's several layers of the metal
Any chance of these breaking? The metal underneath looks ok with nothing rusted through but surface is much thinner than before

 

they might hold for now until you get some new ones but get them fixed that is what feeps the twin I beams from moving back and forth it also helps with the alighnment

 

When you go to replace them, if you decide to do it , those bolts through the coil spring seat can be a real dog to get loose . If you soak them in advance it might make them a lot easier to remove. Plan on replacing the bushings on the arms too.

 

Thanks. I haven't looked into the replacement process yet. Do the coilsprings have to come out?

 

No, but they will when you support the vehicle by the chassis and allow the spring that is attached to the I-beam to fully extend. The bolt that holds the lower part of the spring to the I-beam also holds the radius arm too. Note the position of the spring so you get it back in the right place when reassembling,,,,,,, if you decide to do the job yourself.
There is a little more to disconnect so the I beam can go down far enough. This is not a job you should tackle yourself unless you have the proper equipment. That spring has a lot of energy when compressed and can really do some damage if not properly relieved and removed.
Even with a 3/4 drive impact gun the bolts through the arm were hard to get loose. Remember , those bolts have been in there exposed to everything for the past 14 years !

 

where is it rusted out at ? is it back towards the back or where it bolts up to the frame or in the front ? if it breaks the it will let the front axle go up and maybe break the spring or shock ! it,s not hard to change ! if it,s just the bracket then you will have to take the big nut off, drill the rivets out and replace the bracket with bolts ! i changed the bracket and bushings on my 96 ford f-150 not too long ago !

 

it's ok at all connecting points. the rust is on the side of them near where the shocks bolt on. the tops and bottoms are are okay. Was thinking I might give them a good cleaning and coat of paint, but can't tell how much metal is gone

 

it might be a good idea to take the radius arm clean off and inspect it ! if it,s too bad then replace it with new bushings !

 

ok guys thanks will work on it