Racinjason424

iTrader: (1)

I had to drop the craddle down to remove a motor from my '04 vette and now I'm having a hard time getting the upper a-arms reconnected! I got the skid back up and bolted in place, reconnected the sway bar, but when I put a floor jack under the lower a-arm/ ball joint area to jack the assembly back up to reconnect the upper a-arm, it's lifting the whole car off the jack stands! I think im fighting the preload of the leaf spring.. Is there a trick to getting the a-arms back into positon?? Appreciate any info.

Thanks, Jason.

ls1290

iTrader: (20)

Much simpler if you do not have the leaf spring installed.

Racinjason424

iTrader: (1)

Not sure how you mean.. If I take the leaf off to attach the upper a-arms, won't I be in the same boat trying to reattach the leaf?? I guess I'm not sure, as I've never had the leaf in or out..

Z06PSI

iTrader: (33)

Take the sway bar back off. You are fighting that.

Racinjason424

iTrader: (1)

Ok.. I've never had it off before.. Any trick to getting it off and back on again?? ~Thanks..

Racinjason424

iTrader: (1)

Ah-hah! Got it....

I Jacked up the lower a-arm until it just started to lift car off jack stands (still 2-3 inches short...) I then used a c-clamp between the bottom of the leaf and the outside edge of the cradle.. I was able to collapse the leaf with the clamp enough (1/2" or so) to get the upper a-arm bolts started.. Hard to believe, but the 1/2" on the leaf allowed the a-arm to travel the 2-3 inches I needed... I had my doubts, but it worked!!! I guess if you stare at something long enough, you'll figure it out.... Thanks for the ideas..