Hey everyone, just scored my aluminum upper and lower control arms today and I must say they look awesome. Powdercoated grey and they look very well made. Really light also. I have never installed control arms before and would like any tips or info if anyone has any. Thanks in advance.
It not to big of a deal. Make sure to support car from frame and that way you can jack the rear up or down. Unhook your muffler from h or x pipe (which ever one you have) so you can get to the front lower bolts. I find it easier to do one at a time. You have to have the axle all the way down for lowers (to take spring pressure off). If you leave shocks hooked up the axle will onlty go down so far but will help keep it somewhat in position. Leave all the bolts loose until you get all 4 on then jack axle all the way up and then tighten bolts. thsi way the bushings are tightened in the normal ride position, If they have grease fittings make sure you grease them.
Bill
I just got my UPR control arms not too long ago and I'm setting them up now...they do look really nice. I didn't unbolt my exhaust and I was fine with all the control arm bolts, but I did need to put a little heat on them to loosen them up.
i don't know about you guys but installing the upper was easy,, the lower was a pain... i got the lower right arnm out and i had to put it back and take it to the mechanic because i couldn't align the bolt/screw....
Do the uppers first remember to leave bolts loose until theyre all in and the axle is in ride position. When you do the lowers the spring is in compression so be very careful. Ive always left the shocks hooked up as that gives a limit on how far the axle will go down. Have the jack stands under the body and that way you can use the jack to hold lower arm up. With jack under the arm loosen both bolts and remove the bolt at the axle. Then lower that jack slowly and the spring will just fall out. Put the new lower in with just the foward bolt intalled loosly. Put jack under arm and position spring on mount and slowly jack arm into position making sure spring is on both upper and lower mounts. Once youre close to the bolt hole you may have to take a pry bar and get axle to move into place. Slide rear bolt in and the ngo to other side and repeat . When all the new arms are in jack up rear axle to it starts to lift car. Then tighten all bolts, pull jack stands out and let down. Grease the fittings before you let the car down and your done
Thanks. I did the driver side the way you suggested and everything worked out great. I will finish the right side tomorrow, and I can't hardly wait to drive it. I hope to notice a difference because the bushings in my stockers looked pretty good. If not it's ok, they just look fantastic. I am extreemly pleased with the quality of these arms.