Lower Control Arm Install
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Lower Control Arm Install
What is the best way to install the lower control arms, attach to the frame first then the ball joint to the spindle or to the spindle first then to the frame? The springs are #550 VP&B
Steve
Steve
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 296
Likes: 190
From: North Olmsted Oh
I've done this a few times on my car and on my Dad's '67. Attach the lower control arms to the fram, and align the spring into the top of the shock tower. Get a small floor jack underneath the ball joint of the lower A-arm and put a little pressure on the spring (assuming the car is already on jack stands or something like that). The spring is going to want to pop towards the outside of the car. Get down there and kick it in with the bottom of your foot. Don't be afraid to give it a good shove. Worked every time for me. Either that or go rent a spring compresser and do it the correct way. But you don't need a spring compresser to get the spring back in if you do it the brute force way...
Give it a try and if that doesn't work, get a spring compresser. But it won't hurt to try....
Bill.
Give it a try and if that doesn't work, get a spring compresser. But it won't hurt to try....
Bill.
Pro
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
From: Warrenville IL
Easiest method I've found for front springs and lower arm is to use a spring compressor and the upper shock mount. Then all you need is a socket to install the springs and lower a-arm:
Best part is that there is no jack that could slip or slide away, etc. and one person can do it fairly quickly.
- Rent the spring compressor from autozone - free - this should have two swinging arms on one end and a claw foot that slides in on the other.
- Unscrew the swinging arms and put the threaded rod down through your shock mount. Put the arms back on, so they can compress the spring upward into the mount.
- Hold the spring in place, set your orientation, etc. and then compress the spring upwards into the shock mount.
- Put the lower a-arm on in what ever order you like. Torque down, etc.
- Release the spring slowly. It may require a BFH to persuade it into the lower a-arm pocket as way the spring compresses in the upper pocket may not be dead on for the lower. If so give it a few turns and then a couple of whacks...
- Unscrew the swinging arms and thread them out of the lower shock mount hole.
Best part is that there is no jack that could slip or slide away, etc. and one person can do it fairly quickly.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
I've done this a few times on my car and on my Dad's '67. Attach the lower control arms to the fram, and align the spring into the top of the shock tower. Get a small floor jack underneath the ball joint of the lower A-arm and put a little pressure on the spring (assuming the car is already on jack stands or something like that). The spring is going to want to pop towards the outside of the car. Get down there and kick it in with the bottom of your foot. Don't be afraid to give it a good shove. Worked every time for me. Either that or go rent a spring compresser and do it the correct way. But you don't need a spring compresser to get the spring back in if you do it the brute force way...
Give it a try and if that doesn't work, get a spring compresser. But it won't hurt to try....
Bill.
Give it a try and if that doesn't work, get a spring compresser. But it won't hurt to try....
Bill.
took about 10 minutes a side tonight to do it this way one step closer to wheels on
Thanks for everyones help
Steve
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
I've done this a few times on my car and on my Dad's '67. Attach the lower control arms to the fram, and align the spring into the top of the shock tower. Get a small floor jack underneath the ball joint of the lower A-arm and put a little pressure on the spring (assuming the car is already on jack stands or something like that). The spring is going to want to pop towards the outside of the car. Get down there and kick it in with the bottom of your foot. Don't be afraid to give it a good shove. Worked every time for me. Either that or go rent a spring compresser and do it the correct way. But you don't need a spring compresser to get the spring back in if you do it the brute force way...
Give it a try and if that doesn't work, get a spring compresser. But it won't hurt to try....
Bill.
Give it a try and if that doesn't work, get a spring compresser. But it won't hurt to try....
Bill.
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