Hey everybody,s
I replaced my lower control arm bushings and have a question about tightening the control arm pivot nut. I read where the car needs to be on the ground with weight on the suspension.
Does the engine need to be in place too? It is out of the car right now.

Britt

No the engine does not need to be in. Set the torsion bars for the desired ride height and torque the nuts.

Thanks man...appreciate the help.

Britt

No problem. Good luck.

Not sure about the amount of weight needed for that. On the later Transverse T bars the service manual says to set the lower arm to a certain measured distance and then tighten.

I've always had everything installed and the height adjusted to desired height, and then torque the pivot to spec. The belief is that the bushing is at a relaxed state and can more easily travel as ride jousts occur as the bushing flexes. The pin, nor the shell and sleeve do not move as the car bounces along. To approximate engine weight (and other assemblies) load up the engine bay with buckets full of heavy metal.Weigh as you add more items to approximate weight of items yet to install.
I will add that if everything is cinched down without the engine weight with the engine out of the car, then engine installed AND the torsion bars tightened up more to regain the previously set ride height, it would be approximately same bushing orientation.
Option is to install lca bushing and tighten enough to mostly set the bushing shaft and final torque after final engine install. To remind tightening finish up work, hang a tag on steering wheel and add to your list as a reminder. I've been using tags for years adding to the list and checking off to avoid aawschit moments.

The nuts should be tightened in the most normal driving position. If that can be duplicated without the engine in place, then fine. But I always wait until the engine is in and the ride height is set to put the final torque on the nuts.

Height is not really important as long as there is space between the LCA bumper and frame. You will need to readjust the height when you get the engine in anyway.

Myself, I do not tighten ANY of the suspension bushings until the front end is completely loaded. I have seen many fail due to stress from being in a constant twisted state. Urethane being an exception. However I still err on the side of caution

good info and tips! Thanks!

britt

The arm rotates around the pivot when adjusting ride height. Torsion bar does not move. LCA bushing sees no change in stress, but you'll at least want the car even left and right. Exact ride height isn't important and can be changed later. The important thing is to have the as driven weight on the suspension when the pivot pin is torqued so it's relaxed when the car is parked, and equally stressed in jounce and rebound when driving.