Hello all,
I'm upgrading my shocks/springs along with the front control arms. This is all pretty new to me. I have the shock/spring assembly mounted in place. The angle of the lower mount on the shock does not line up with the holes in the lower control arm. I read the ls1howto guide saying you need to use a screwdriver to rotate the mount in order to get it to line up. I tried that, and instead of staying in place, it flexes back to its original position. I'm worried I am going to damage it.

Do I just need to twist the mount enough to slide the bolts in and mount the shocks? Then when the vehicle is at normal ride height, the shock will be compressed and the angle will be correct?
The shock also does not naturally line up with the holes in the control arm, the holes are a bit offset. I'm assuming its fine to force it over so it lines up (flexes the rubber).

I added some pix. Sorry for the newbie questions, just want to make sure I don't damage anything.

 

There should be enough compliance in the bushing to pull it into alignment with the bolt holes. Are you able to compress the a-arm slightly with a jack, and then get the bolt holes close?

 

Thanks for replying. The a arm is on rod ends, so it moves freely and i can get it against the shock. The problem is that I can't get the bolt all the way thru because the holes don't line up straight. Unless you are saying to jack up the a arm against the shock to compress it so the angle becomes correct and the holes become aligned?

 

You won’t hurt the rubber bushing. You need to move it past the point you need. Then it will spring back to what you need.

 

​​​​​​Correct​

 

Thanks everyone! I got it in, it looks good now.