Lower control arm install issue
#1
Launching!
Thread Starter
Lower control arm install issue
Just got some aftermarket non adjustable lower control arms for the ‘02 T/A. Passenger side went in no problems but I can’t for the life of me get the drivers side to line up. I’ve had the rear jacked all the way up and down but at best I’m still half an inch off. Any ideas?
#3
Launching!
Thread Starter
Either end-if I put it in the rear end first then the other end won’t line up and vice versa. It’s about a half inch off but lowering or raising the rear isn’t doing anything. The cars rear is on jack stands and I’ve been raising/lowering the rear with a jack under the diff.
#5
Launching!
Thread Starter
Passenger side.
Luckily the phr went in with no issues.
i did one side at a time. Passenger side first and when I couldn’t get the drivers side in I was able to get the stock one back in since I had to drive the car to work. Now I can’t get the stock one back in either.
#7
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
its not rocket science.....you can get things to move around to line up.....hammers.....pry bars....line up bars....grease up the bushings and or the frame slots... rear end slots to slide in easier
i think my first time was not so easy.....but every time since......a breeze
i suggest the frame side first cuz the rear end can move around much easier.....maybe unbolt the lower shock mounts to allow it to twist if needed
wait til you install a 3 point SFC and have to get ALL those holes to line up..............
i think my first time was not so easy.....but every time since......a breeze
i suggest the frame side first cuz the rear end can move around much easier.....maybe unbolt the lower shock mounts to allow it to twist if needed
wait til you install a 3 point SFC and have to get ALL those holes to line up..............
Last edited by sjsingle1; 02-16-2018 at 08:35 PM.
Trending Topics
#8
Launching!
Thread Starter
Finally got it. Had to undo my passenger side shock to get it to drop just a little more so the drivers side would go in. Not too bad.
Strano springs and sway bars soon then a much needed alignment.
#10
Launching!
Thread Starter
I was planning on having the local Chevy dealer do an alignment. Anything special I should have done? Just my daily driver but I hear the f-body’s are a pain to have done.
#12
Launching!
Thread Starter
#14
Launching!
Thread Starter
#16
Launching!
Thread Starter
#17
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Howell & Fenton MI
Posts: 11,145
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes
on
15 Posts
Gotcha. I'll be curious if you notice a difference. When the weather breaks I'll be installing non-adjustable lca's with a non-adjustable torque arm and a relocation crossmember for the torque arm. I'm hoping it will be a substantial difference
#18
TECH Fanatic
The preferred install is to jack the car up and place the jack stands under the body, not the rear axle. Then replace the lower control arms one side at a time while the rear end is hanging without a load. Removing the tires helps take a lot of weight off the rear end. But you just want to let the rear end hang freely and do one side at a time.
Then after you have installed both control arms you jack it back up and move the jack stands from under the body and place them under the rear axle. Let it down so the weight is resting on the jack stands and the axle. Then tighten and torque the bolts.
Your rear end must have moved a little during your install. You might need some help from a friend now to get things lined back up.
Jack stands under the body, rear end hanging free, install arms, move jack stands to under the rear end to put a load on the rear end, then tighten.
I just did this a week or so ago.
Then after you have installed both control arms you jack it back up and move the jack stands from under the body and place them under the rear axle. Let it down so the weight is resting on the jack stands and the axle. Then tighten and torque the bolts.
Your rear end must have moved a little during your install. You might need some help from a friend now to get things lined back up.
Jack stands under the body, rear end hanging free, install arms, move jack stands to under the rear end to put a load on the rear end, then tighten.
I just did this a week or so ago.
#19
Launching!
Thread Starter
The preferred install is to jack the car up and place the jack stands under the body, not the rear axle. Then replace the lower control arms one side at a time while the rear end is hanging without a load. Removing the tires helps take a lot of weight off the rear end. But you just want to let the rear end hang freely and do one side at a time.
Then after you have installed both control arms you jack it back up and move the jack stands from under the body and place them under the rear axle. Let it down so the weight is resting on the jack stands and the axle. Then tighten and torque the bolts.
Your rear end must have moved a little during your install. You might need some help from a friend now to get things lined back up.
Jack stands under the body, rear end hanging free, install arms, move jack stands to under the rear end to put a load on the rear end, then tighten.
I just did this a week or so ago.
Then after you have installed both control arms you jack it back up and move the jack stands from under the body and place them under the rear axle. Let it down so the weight is resting on the jack stands and the axle. Then tighten and torque the bolts.
Your rear end must have moved a little during your install. You might need some help from a friend now to get things lined back up.
Jack stands under the body, rear end hanging free, install arms, move jack stands to under the rear end to put a load on the rear end, then tighten.
I just did this a week or so ago.
That’s exactly how I did it.
#20
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (1)
Some shops may have one or two of these tools, many don't, and simply use a pry bar, to "get it close". Most Chevy dealers should have the tools. I bought a couple of them, years ago, when I still had my Camaro. Having two of them is very helpful, because setting the camber and caster has you adjusting the tool to significantly different lengths, which takes a couple of minutes, per side. Having two of the tools, already adjusted, close to the proper length, speeds up the job.
I sold the car 3 years ago, and I should probably sell the tools......