Suspension Torque Rear Control Arms - Ride Height On Jack?

Bill Cool

Previously 87MustangGT

Founding Member

Nov 18, 1999

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Seymour, CT

Mar 18, 2014

#1

• Mar 18, 2014

• #1

I'm in the process of replacing rear suspension bushings, and as I understand it, the car needs to be at ride height before torquing the LCA and UCA bolts. I'd rather avoid putting the wheel back on, dropping the car to the ground, then torquing...it's gotta be easier to get a wrench in there with the wheel off, nevermind bolting the sway bar back on.

Any thoughts on how to get a roughly accurate ride height while jacking up the rear axle? My GoogleFoo and SN searches are failing tonight

Am I overthinking this? Just had a realization that I could probably just support the car by only jacks/jackstands under the axle and torque that way....?

 

MFE92

10 Year Member

Aug 25, 2010

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Phoenix

Mar 18, 2014

#2

• Mar 18, 2014

• #2

This is only necessary if you're using stock-style rubber bushings where the bushing is bonded to the inner sleeve. If that's the case, jack the car up front and rear with the rear jackstands placed under the axle.

 

Bill Cool

Previously 87MustangGT

Founding Member

Nov 18, 1999

1,268

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Seymour, CT

Mar 19, 2014

#3

• Mar 19, 2014

• #3

Ah, not necessary for poly bushings? Interesting...but I guess makes sense.

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

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Mar 19, 2014

#4

• Mar 19, 2014

• #4

I did mine with the rear axle supported on jackstands and the front on stands as well to keep it level.

 

MFE92

10 Year Member

Aug 25, 2010

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Mar 19, 2014

#5

• Mar 19, 2014

• #5

Poly bushings are free to rotate around the sleeve in the pocket, whereas the sleeves on stock-style bonded bushings are captured by the clamping force and are not allowed to rotate. The stock style bushing doesn't rotate, it deflects around the sleeve. If you tighten it down with the suspension extended, you're heavily preloading it at ride height, which is bad for the ride, bad for the ride height, and bad for the bushing.

 

rbohm

Founding Member

Apr 12, 2002

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tucson,az

Mar 19, 2014

#6

• Mar 19, 2014

• #6

as long as the cars weight is on the suspension as it was designed to be, aka with the tires on the ground, or a simulation there of, jack stands under the rear axle housing for instance, then you are fine to torque the stock bushings as if the car was on the tires.

 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician

Aug 27, 2012

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Mar 19, 2014

#7

• Mar 19, 2014

• #7

As MFE said. with poly bushings in the control arm, you do not need to jack the car up. MM also states this in their instructions.

 

Bill Cool

Previously 87MustangGT

Founding Member

Nov 18, 1999

1,268

3

39

Seymour, CT

Mar 19, 2014

#8

• Mar 19, 2014

• #8

So stock bushings, ride height; poly bushings, doesn't matter. Got it. Thanks!