Hey all,
I replaced the control arms and wanted to know if I need to tighten them with the car on the ground, or if I can do it when jacked up? The manual doesn't seem to get much into this topic. Just was curious due to new bushings and such.
Control Arm Pre-Load? When to tighten? AE86
-
totta crolla
- Club4AG Pro
- Posts: 669
- Joined: Tue Mar 26, 2013 5:21 am
- Location: Oxford U.K
Re: Control Arm Pre-Load? When to tighten? AE86
Tighten when on the ground or on a ramp with the weight of the car on the wheels.
Re: Control Arm Pre-Load? When to tighten? AE86
It's less of an issue with poly bushings and heim joints since the bushing crush tube doesn't have teeth on the ends, but I still recommend tightening them with the weight of the car on the wheels.
You can go a step further though if there's a curb at the end of the driveway or a speed bump in the street right in front of the house. Leave the bolts slightly loose and slowly drive up/down the curb (or over the speed bump) a few times which will fully settle the suspension. Then tighten the bolts. Don't actually drive down the street or go above a a few mph with the bolts loose!
You can go a step further though if there's a curb at the end of the driveway or a speed bump in the street right in front of the house. Leave the bolts slightly loose and slowly drive up/down the curb (or over the speed bump) a few times which will fully settle the suspension. Then tighten the bolts. Don't actually drive down the street or go above a a few mph with the bolts loose!