Help me install upper and lower control arms.

DMAN302

My mom says thanks for the pearl necklace.
Nov 8, 2003
2,120
2
59
windsor, Canada
Ok tomorrow my uppers and lowers from blue oval industries will be here..got some questions. First i know they are not the best, but the car sees VERY VERY little spirited driving, and none of it around corners. Anyways these arms have greasable bushings..do I grease them prior to install? How much grease is actually needed...don't remember the last time I've used a grease gun so bear with me no the stupid questions. Please throw out some ideas and tips to assist on the install..I don't expect it to be a five minute job..it's a mustang there are no five minute jobs :) . Thank you for your time.
 
I have the same ones. The install is fairly straightforward, but make sure you have a long breaker bar, 18 an 19mm sockets, and the longest wrenches in the same sizes that you can find. An Air chisel really helps when trying to get the factory LCA bolts out of the lower torque boxes. A little grease on the outsides of the bushings really helps to get them in their mounts and lined up. Make sure u use the right bolts too, the longer ones in the kit go on the lowers. I goofed and had to redo mine! Do the uppers first and make sure that u just snug them up. Torque them with either the axle resting on stands or with the car on the ground. Grease the bushings until u see a little start to seep out and then wipe off the excess.

Good Luck!
 
:nice: I agree, good advice. It is fairly easy as long as you have all the needed tools and a buddy is always nice. Those aren't bad control arms for the price and for the use you need them for. Much much better than stock. BTW it is probably a good time to change the bushing where the upper mounts to the rearend. My pals didn't come with that bushing he had to buy it separately. It can be a pain to get out. We ended up drilling it out. And just as bad to get back in.

Be careful with the lowers because we don't want someone hurt by a spring. Just figure on an afternoon if you haven't done it and are by yourself.
 
I forgot..make sure to put the springs back in the way they were when taken out. Make sure the coil ends are in the same place on the mount as before you removed them and don't put them in upside down.

If not your car will not sit right, it may be higher or lower or sit higher or lower on one side or the other.
 
You also gotta take out the cat-back exhaust too... that adds some time... and be careful taking the axle out so it doesnt rotate forward and pinch the rear driveshaft u-joint (trust me)... and definitely get an impact wrench! Those bolts are F'ing torqued down hard!
 
vikingpower said:
You also gotta take out the cat-back exhaust too... that adds some time... and be careful taking the axle out so it doesnt rotate forward and pinch the rear driveshaft u-joint (trust me)... and definitely get an impact wrench! Those bolts are F'ing torqued down hard!

Nope you do not have to remove the exhaust. I replaced all of my bushings in the rear and did not remove a thing. Do it on a lift if you can. Unbolt the shocks and put a tranny jack under the rear end then lower the lower part of the LCA's and the springs will not shoot out. There will be no tension holding them up. Mine (bolts) were a ***** to get out. Buy new ones if you can because on some I had to use an air hammer and not only that but the bolts were so worn down, there was a ton of slop in them. I bought all new bolts grade 8 at the local hardware store. Lots of penetrating oil and a torch broke the bolts loose with an impact gun, got to love minnesota winters all the rust. Do not use hand tools, use an impact. Got this put in this last week, after I replaced all of my bushings, Hope to try it out soon.

View attachment 506745

We had to turn the mufflers into dumps and it sounds way meaner, so I donated my tips to my golfcart.

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TrickFlow said:
Im lookin up info for a buddy of mine, and ran across this..... maybe itll help


http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2000/03/controlarms/

Trickflow...just want to thank you for taking the time...GREAT addition to my favorites. I will be doing the the install on saturday, and balljoints/rack/tie rods on monday and tuesday...I actually took the week off just to relax and screw around with the car, should be a great week!!.
 
DMAN302 said:
Trickflow...just want to thank you for taking the time...GREAT addition to my favorites. I will be doing the the install on saturday, and balljoints/rack/tie rods on monday and tuesday...I actually took the week off just to relax and screw around with the car, should be a great week!!.



Hold up, i found more :D


http://www.miracerros.com/mustang/t_suspension.htm

http://www.lmperformance.com/4091/50.html

from googling, and trying to help him out, im actually starting to think i should save up the cash and get some uca's and lca's DAMN HIM!