Lower Control Arm - Compress before fitting?

Django x2 · 23 Aug 2014 at 13:42

Should I be thinking about compressing the suspension to act as load while refitting a control arm / lower wishbone?

My good mechanic friend says doesn't make much difference really

Simon · 23 Aug 2014 at 13:44

Yes. Or torque it up fully at ride height

Django x2 · 23 Aug 2014 at 13:53

what about ARB drop links?

Dogbreath · 23 Aug 2014 at 14:16

If they have balljoints on the end then it doesn't make any difference. If they have rubber bushes then it's a good idea to tighten them with the suspension at ride height.

snapdragon69 · 23 Aug 2014 at 15:55

Yes if it has bushes and if your mechanic said that then find another for next time.

Django x2 · 23 Aug 2014 at 17:30

Not bushes, ball joints on all (arb drop links and control arms)

pepsilol · 23 Aug 2014 at 18:40

The manual will tell you if you need load torque or not.

On E39s you must have full load before torquing.

Django x2 · 23 Aug 2014 at 19:01

I think you give the manual too much credit.

Dogbreath · 23 Aug 2014 at 19:11

Django x2 said:
Not bushes, ball joints on all (arb drop links and control arms)

If it's ball joints all round then it makes no difference. The idea with rubber bushes is to ensure rubber isn't significant stress at normal ride height, which it would be if you tightened the bushes with the suspension fully extended.

pepsilol · 24 Aug 2014 at 10:20

Django x2 said:
I think you give the manual too much credit.

I've never seen a workshop manual not give me torque figures.

Django x2 · 24 Aug 2014 at 19:18

Oh, workshop manual...lol. I thought you were taking about the car manual