Reply With QuoteYes. I tightened everything apart from final torquing, then drove it up on stands, loaded it with bodies according to Bentley, and then torqued everything.Originally Posted by Kibokojoe
Grand Master
How do you load the control arms
I am getting ready to replace the upper and lower control arms. Is it ok to install the control arms while the car is on jack stands but not tighten the through bolts? Then lower the vehicle and roll the front end up on ramps and then tighten the though bolts?
Grand Master
Yes. I tightened everything apart from final torquing, then drove it up on stands, loaded it with bodies according to Bentley, and then torqued everything.
"I'm not the village idiot.
But when he retires I'm next on the list."
Major Contributor
That should work ok. Just make sure you roll it back & forward enough distance so the wheels squat out enough to reach the normal ride height. What I do instead of ramps is set it down on a stack of 2 or 3 2x12's set on top of pipe rollers on the floor. That way with a couple bounces the tires are free to slide outwards and the car settles into it's normal height. I also put about 150 lbs of weights in the car (Bentleys says xxx lbs of sandbags).
gale
92 735i 5-spd, turbo project finally underway!
Grand Master
Bodies
You mean you had people sit in the car while you final torqued the arms?
Grand Master
I did the math once (free body diagram, sum(Fx = 0) etc...) Bentley's loading equated to 50 lbs directly above each wheel. I used a blanket with some play sand sandbags I had sitting around, put it on top of the fender in line with the axle. Didn't squat much, but then again most of us have lowered hotrod springs that probably don't move nearly as much as the stock ones. As long as it's under it's own weight it's probably fine IMHO.
Robin
72 Chevy K10
01 E39 M5
Major Contributor
drive on ramps with bolts loose and torque em down. i think its 57ft lbs.
Mark
1999 M3 Cosmos Black/ Black 78k
1994 540i Oxford Green/ Silver Grey Sold @ 133k
1995 M3 Arctic Silver/Black Sold @ 117k
1990 325i Zinnobar Red/Black Sold @ 115k
Grand Master
Yes.
I have the ramps on a slight grass slope so that the car is level when it is on ramps.
I then put people in it according to Bentley.
I then torque the thrust arms.
"I'm not the village idiot.
But when he retires I'm next on the list."
Grand Master
Doesn't matter if the car in on an angle? Ramps in front no ramps in back?
Major Contributor
Won't make alot of difference. Maybe add 10% more weight to compensate.
gale
92 735i 5-spd, turbo project finally underway!
I did it the easy way. With the rim off and the car on stands, I jacked up the suspension from under the rotor (the lower ball joint is located just below the rotor line) and jacked up the shock until it floated off the stand. Then I torqued...
2 months ago and no problems... Just remember, if you do sway links, you will probably have to retorque the bolts on them after a month or so as you may get the sway "clunk"
Posting Permissions
