Pass side lower a arm install - tips?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 101
From: Decatur, Alabama
Pass side lower a arm install - tips?
I installed the drivers side upper a arm today that I had been dreading, ending up being an east job. Tomorrow's list calls for passenger side front lower a arm install. Anything or words of wisdom to share? 95 coupe.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,752
Likes: 190
From: Indiana PA
Watch the spring, its under tension. Make sure your torquing down the fasteners for those control arms, sway bar links, at trim height.
If you don't know what that is you should pick up a FSM.
The bushings twist under load of the suspension moving. Trim height is where the car rests most of the time. If you torque the bushings down at full rebound or below that well, not a good idea.
If you don't know what that is you should pick up a FSM.
The bushings twist under load of the suspension moving. Trim height is where the car rests most of the time. If you torque the bushings down at full rebound or below that well, not a good idea.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
He's saying NOT to tighten the bushing bolts until you get the arm approx where it will live with the car on the ground. If you Torque it down with it in full compression or rebound, that may/will limit its travel and effect the suspensions ability to respond, it'll act bad.
Top arm was cake, wasn;t it? Lower is not too bad...'cept for 1 bolt.
Now. go find a 4 wheel laser alignment shop.
Top arm was cake, wasn;t it? Lower is not too bad...'cept for 1 bolt.
Now. go find a 4 wheel laser alignment shop.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 101
From: Decatur, Alabama
He's saying NOT to tighten the bushing bolts until you get the arm approx where it will live with the car on the ground. If you Torque it down with it in full compression or rebound, that may/will limit its travel and effect the suspensions ability to respond, it'll act bad.
Top arm was cake, wasn;t it? Lower is not too bad...'cept for 1 bolt.
Now. go find a 4 wheel laser alignment shop.
Top arm was cake, wasn;t it? Lower is not too bad...'cept for 1 bolt.
Now. go find a 4 wheel laser alignment shop.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
With all the suspension put back together ,hanging free, the arm will be at full travel ( shock fully extended )
You need to put a floor jack underneath the arm and lift it up to " normal" ride height ( mid travel ) before torquing up the bolts
You need to put a floor jack underneath the arm and lift it up to " normal" ride height ( mid travel ) before torquing up the bolts
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 101
From: Decatur, Alabama
so it sounds like a measurement from the bottom of control arm to floor (drive on lift) before I took it loose would help me get it back close to stock position. Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
I would be more inclined to measure to a point on the frame then it doesn't matter what height the car is
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
Originally Posted by vetteoz;1583247691[B
]So long as the floor doesn't move [/B];ie you jack the car up higher.
I would be more inclined to measure to a point on the frame then it doesn't matter what height the car is
I would be more inclined to measure to a point on the frame then it doesn't matter what height the car is
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,752
Likes: 190
From: Indiana PA
IDK how the 95 FSM is but the 93 FSM has the trim height page on 3-21 and 3-22.
The points for the front suspension are:
From the center line of the lower control arm inboard end to the lowest inboard point on the ball stud housing.
This is the Z measurement; spec is 56.5mm for a FE1 coupe. 54mm for FX3 and Z07. +/- 6.4mm
Your car might have softer springs if FE1 or FX3. Go with your book.
The points for the front suspension are:
From the center line of the lower control arm inboard end to the lowest inboard point on the ball stud housing.
This is the Z measurement; spec is 56.5mm for a FE1 coupe. 54mm for FX3 and Z07. +/- 6.4mm
Your car might have softer springs if FE1 or FX3. Go with your book.