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Preloading control arms - what tricks do you all use?

Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 11:51 pm
by underworld1001
I'm getting some clunking in the front so I'm going to take a look at the front suspension to see what it is. While I'm checking things out, I figured I'll take a look at the control arms. I'm at 108k miles at the moment so I'm sure the rubber is a bit shot at this point. Curious to what you'll use to mark the control arm in the correct spot so that it can be preloaded correctly.

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 6:34 am
by Cooper993
There's no need to make any marks.

Basically, all you need to do is jack up the suspension to the highest point (i.e. the way it would be if the wheel was on the ground).

So when the truck is on jack stands, I put a block of wood and a jack under the hub and jack it up to the point that the truck starts to lift off the stand. Then torque the bolts.

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 7:48 pm
by smj999smj
Or you could leave the bolts a little loose and drive the vehicle onto a set of ramps after everything is re-assembled to do the final torque of the bolts (assuming you can't get under the car to do it).

Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2018 9:11 pm
by underworld1001
Sounds simple enough guys, appreciate the advice.