Originally Posted by MetalMan

The reason I replaced the bushings was because I kissed a curb with my rear right wheel, damaging the axle beam in the process (also stuffed the right front wheel into the same curb...). My replacement (junk yard) axle beam needed new bushings, so that's where this DIY came from. Your sloppy back end certainly could be caused by failing bushings, and my back end feels pretty solid.

Do you have the Factory Service Manual? It actually mentions aligning the axle beam, and how to do it. In fact I have a copy of it printed out and sitting on my desk right now, because I need a full front/rear alignment

I imagine your air ride setup could wreak havoc on those bushings. These bushings are similar to the front lower control arm bushings in the sense that the bolt going through them should be tightened only with the vehicle supporting its own weight.

Originally Posted by thepirate

Hmmmm didn't even consider the airride. I bet you're right. It just feels loose back there sometimes when taking a tight turn or something. I have a Bentley service manual and I haven't been able to find anything about ailigning the rearend. I think it being off on one side is an indacator those bushings may be going bad though.

Originally Posted by MetalMan

Most of the time I check out the FSM before I look at Bentley (actually I only bought a Bentley for the electric schematics...).

Would you like me to send you the PDF from the FSM on alignment?