LCA install Question
LCA install Question I'm about the put on my new Billingsley Racing LCAs and had a few questions. I assume the car has to be on the ground while doing the install, but what end does the spherical rod end go into, the rearend, or the frame? Also, do I just adjust it to where the stock arm length is? Any advice would be great. Thanks, 
I did the spherical end to the rear, I left them stock length until I was able to determine my pinion angle. The suspension has to be loaded, I installed them on ramps, don't know if that mattered.
Yes, it's got to be loaded or you'll be worse off than when you started.
Yes, I would do one at a time. Take your time, don't rush it. And say goodbye to wheel hop.
Yes, I would do one at a time. Take your time, don't rush it. And say goodbye to wheel hop.
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Joined: Oct 2003
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Do one side at a time, otherwise the rear will shift foward with both control arms out, it will just make it harder to install. I installled mine with the jack stands under the frame and finger tighten the LCA bolts. I then placed the jack stands under the rear to allow the suspension to be loaded and then tighten them up.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Los Angeles
What can happen if the suspension was not under load when LCA's are installed? I had mine installed by a shop last week and I only saw the car on the lift, with suspension hanging. The car feels good, handles awesome.
Does it really matter how they were installed if the car feels good? Tires are centered in the wheel well. I'm wondering if I should ask them to re-install.
Thanks!
Bob
Does it really matter how they were installed if the car feels good? Tires are centered in the wheel well. I'm wondering if I should ask them to re-install.
Thanks!
Bob
The only reason the suspension needs to be completly loaded is if your adjusting the angle of the LCAs or adjusting the length to set your pinion angle. It can also make the install go easier if the rear is atleast partialy loaded. I put my car on jack stands and then use a jack to preload the rear and hold it in place. I managed to do rear shocks, PHB, LCAs and relocation brackets in about a hour this past weekend. Everything went togethor super smooth but if I had nto used a jack under the rear I suspect I might of had to do alittle wresling.
Note: This was with double rod end components, if you have poly bushings it maybe nesesary to load the rear before fully tightening the bolts. I've heard it will cause premature wear of the bushings if you don't but I'm not sure if that's true.
Note: This was with double rod end components, if you have poly bushings it maybe nesesary to load the rear before fully tightening the bolts. I've heard it will cause premature wear of the bushings if you don't but I'm not sure if that's true.
Last edited by GM Muscle; Apr 2, 2004 at 07:48 PM.
Originally Posted by 2w0s060
Do one side at a time, otherwise the rear will shift foward with both control arms out, it will just make it harder to install. I installled mine with the jack stands under the frame and finger tighten the LCA bolts. I then placed the jack stands under the rear to allow the suspension to be loaded and then tighten them up.
Originally Posted by 2w0s060
I have heard with poly bushings with out the suspension loaded it will cause bushing preload...not real sure what that means...
Does anyone else have the double-spherical end setup like I do? Does it make a lot of noise? I keep hearing metal on metal contact, and I hate it.
Originally Posted by ChevyThunder17
Does anyone else have the double-spherical end setup like I do? Does it make a lot of noise? I keep hearing metal on metal contact, and I hate it.
I want to check to make sure that the bolt is thick enough so that it isn't sliding around on the inside of the rod-end. I think that could be a problem.
I always installed them dry. Perhaps I shouldn't be?
I always installed them dry. Perhaps I shouldn't be?
I have Billingsley double rod-end LCAs right now. They are way too loud for me. It is a very loud thump when you hit a sharp bump...I have just had enough of it. I still have wheel hop with them, so for me it is not worth it to keep them. I am switching to LG poly/rod to see if it softens some of that noise.
FWIW, there was a noticeable difference performance wise between the Billingsley units and the Spohn Poly/Polys that I had previously.
FWIW, there was a noticeable difference performance wise between the Billingsley units and the Spohn Poly/Polys that I had previously.
Last edited by ChevyWeatherman; Apr 3, 2004 at 10:22 PM.
I currently have aluminum double rod end LCAs and PHB made by BADZ (member here). Only went for a ride around the block with them but, they are not noisy at all. However, I did lube them so that might of helped. I used Pedro's Extra dry Teflon lube and mixed it with some graphite powder to thicken it up a bit.
Yes, we strive to get the best rod ends for noise issues and we are happy to fine the better thick teflon lined rod ends so guy's will not have any issues with noise. We order these by 300 at a time which brings the price down and then we pass it on to the consumer...Thanks GM MUSCLE for the comment!!!