What does it mean... "while the suspension is loaded"?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,325
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From: Missi'ppi... no mo' MO for me!!
What does it mean... "while the suspension is loaded"?
I'm installing Johnny O'Connell sway bars. In the instructions for the "Initial setup", it says:
This is pure voodoo to me. I've got the car up on blocks with all 4 tires (and wheels) removed. Should I set the end link lengths now, or mount the tires and drive car up on ramps to set the end links?
To me, the suspension is "loaded" when the car is resting on its' tires, but the Pfadt instructions say "This is best done on a four-post lift", and that implies that the control arms at all four corners have dropped (pulling the shocks) to their maximum extension.
Thanks very much!
(I've done a 'search' here for "suspension is loaded"; and come up with >500 threads that seem more specific to sway bar and shock absorber sales or reviews than anything else.)
For best performance remove any pre-load in the sway bar while the suspension is loaded by adjusting the end link length. This is best done on a four-post lift. It is also possible to set the car down on blocks or ramps so that the end links can be accessed while the suspension is loaded.
After the end link length is adjusted to remove any preload lock down the length by tightening the jam nuts.
After the end link length is adjusted to remove any preload lock down the length by tightening the jam nuts.
To me, the suspension is "loaded" when the car is resting on its' tires, but the Pfadt instructions say "This is best done on a four-post lift", and that implies that the control arms at all four corners have dropped (pulling the shocks) to their maximum extension.
Thanks very much!
(I've done a 'search' here for "suspension is loaded"; and come up with >500 threads that seem more specific to sway bar and shock absorber sales or reviews than anything else.)
Last edited by dork; Apr 29, 2014 at 01:05 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2012
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: orlando florida
St. Jude Donor '15
Suspension loaded means the car needs to be sitting on the tires on the ground. This puts full weight onto the suspension and have suspension in mid laden position or middle of travel. With the car up in the air and no weight on the suspension or suspension at full travel you will get the incorrect preloaded on the endlinks. Of course this is near impossible to do. A 4 post drive on lift would be the best. This way you can raise the car to get under it. If you don't have access to a lift. Then jack the car up and lower onto car ramps so you have room to get under the car
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,092
Likes: 120
From: orlando florida
St. Jude Donor '15
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 239
From: Missi'ppi... no mo' MO for me!!
Thanks very much, Gents!
I did it correctly! I got impatient and 'reasoned it out'--that it wouldn't make any sense to adjust the end links with the shocks and control arms at full extension. (The tires were off because I'd installed the Pfadt shocks first.)
Mrr23, pickcha speek t'ousan werds... I didn't realize one drives onto a 4-post lift. Duh.
I'm relieved to have confirmation that I don't have to go back and redo the links. Thanks very much.
I did it correctly! I got impatient and 'reasoned it out'--that it wouldn't make any sense to adjust the end links with the shocks and control arms at full extension. (The tires were off because I'd installed the Pfadt shocks first.)
Mrr23, pickcha speek t'ousan werds... I didn't realize one drives onto a 4-post lift. Duh.
I'm relieved to have confirmation that I don't have to go back and redo the links. Thanks very much.
