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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1102
 
Location: Hayward, Calif | Hey Guys, I'm replacing the lower control arm bushings on my 65 New Yorker. I can't find any mention in the FSM about tightening that nut after the weight is back on the wheels like we do on our forward look cars. FSM says to torque the nut to 180 ft lbs then adjust suspension height. I think the suspension height should be adjusted 1st then tighten that nut last. Anyone else have info on this ? Thanks, Jerry |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9666
   
Location: So. Cal | Yes, tighten them after putting the weight of the car on them, just like all T-bar suspension systems. This will put them in zero tension at the road level position and prevent them from ripping when you stress them further by hitting a dip in the road. The height may change a little when you tighten the nut, but if you don't mind doing it twice, adjust the height first to get it close before tightening the LCA nut.
Edited by Powerflite 2018-06-18 3:49 PM
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7400
Location: northern germany | Am I missing something? The LCA bushing nut can't be tightened with the weight on the wheels, as it is only accecible with the T-bar removed. You mean the large anchor nut? I kinda don't like the idea to lower the car on its wheels with the anchors not seated and tightened. It is lots of years ago that I replaced a set, but from what I remember I tightened the anchor nut with the LCA approximately in its normal ride height position, weight off the wheels. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1102
Location: Hayward, Calif | Powerflite, Thanks !! That is what I thought too. That bushing has to somewhat center itself unloaded before it gets locked in place. Just wanted to verify I was on the right track. thanks again! Jerry |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 406
Location: Hilltown, PA |
As a matter of best practices we should always perform final torque of suspension components "at ride height" to prevent pre-loading the components.
Often this is done by putting the vehicle weight on the suspension.
However, we often forget that there are times when a suspension component can be placed in ride height position (or pretty close to) without actually loading the suspension. This is also an acceptable method (as Sid stated).
An unloaded control arm (upper or lower) is a good example.
Gregg |
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Lower control arm bushing