How freely should the lower control arms move?

Discussion in 'The whoa and the sway.' started by guyver002, Jul 3, 2017.

  1. guyver002

    guyver002 Well-Known Member

    So I just put new bushings in my new control arms to replace my old bushing and damaged control arms. I put the lowers back on the car and while I made the initial mistake of tightening up the lower bolts to the 80 ftlbs the assembly manual was calling for but without weight on suspension. I did realize my error later and corrected it. What I still wonder is since I have little experience with this far in the suspension I cant get over how little movement there was when i took it all apart again and it was just the arm and compressed spring. It wouldnt move down unless i was standing on it. Should the arms just ride freely on the bolts? Or should it be that snug maybe because of the weight and spring force acting upon them?
     
  2. TexasJohn55

    TexasJohn55 Well-Known Member

    The bushings are captured and locked in place when torqued. After car is on ground and bounced several times with bolts loose, the suspension is at ride height. Only then can they be torqued. The suspension travel then twists the rubber. That is why they will rip out if torqued while in the air.
     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2017
  3. Steve Reynolds

    Steve Reynolds SRE Inc

    Yes......in a drag race application you try to shoot for "zero" drag on the suspension components to achieve instant weight transfer, but for a street driven "stock" type suspension the rubber bushings become part of the suspension. They tend to slow down all the movements of the suspension, to create a "smooth & soft" ride. DEFINITLY need to tighten at "ride height". It's not a bad idea to drive it for a little while and then go back and while at ride height, "loosen and retighten" again.
     
  4. guyver002

    guyver002 Well-Known Member

    The suspension settled much more favorably loosening with a retighten after bouncing it. Now I'll drive it some and let all the components settle in then loosen and retighten. Thanks for the tips guys I feel a lot better that the job was done right. :D
     
    GranSportSedan likes this.

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