Lower Control Arm 2002 Windstar

I watched a video and the guy talked about putting a pre load on the Control arm by jacking up the vehicle by the strut before tightening to mimic a full load. I read my Haynes Manual and it says I don't have to do that for 1999 and up. Any tips will help.

Its probably not a huge thing, but I like to put the springs at approx. curb height before tightening up the bolts.

From all the cars I have ever worked on, yes this is required. Jack the control arm up to Ride height otherwise the rubber bushing will shred and you will be buying another control arm.

Good Luck.

I just put the wheels back on, drop the van to the ground, then reach in and tighten them up. It's not too hard to do, and with the weight on it you don't need to hold the bolt on the other end.

I changed the passenger side today and test drove the van. It was stiff on the passenger side. The rim was a bit warmer on the passenger side as well. I will be changing the drivers side as well next weekend. When I drove on some gravel it pulled the wheel to the left a bit. Stronger side pulling to the weaker side.

I just put the wheels back on, drop the van to the ground, then reach in and tighten them up. It's not too hard to do, and with the weight on it you don't need to hold the bolt on the other end.

I would have recommended rolling the van back and forth to get the wheels to spread to ride height.

You can possibly just re-torque it whenever you get to the other side. Good luck

I had originally tightened all bolts with the front end off the ground as per the Haynes Manual for 1999 and up. When I lowered the van it seemed that the vans tires were chambered out at the top. With weight on wheels, I loosened the nuts and let it rest then retorqued with weight on wheels and the tires went back to normal. Thanks for the tips and advice

So I took the Van for a test drive and now when I get it over 30 mph there is a squeal on the right side that comes and goes. ?????????

Your new control arms MAY have put your anti-sway bar and links in a new position ... one that is a bit "uncomfortable" for it/them .... or a thousand other affected parts. I have a new noise in the rear after installing new rear shocks .... don't know if its the shocks or something they have affected.