Control Arm help tonite

[drdd]

Thanks for all your help. Yes, please PM or post the right height adj procedures.

Here's where I'm at now. I got all the bushings pressed in to both upper and lower control arms. I've tried to take it easy on the halfshaft so as not to tear the seals or over-exend it too far

Now, I can't find a way to get the heavy a@#$ torsion bar in. There is kinda a bulb on one end. It seems like the torsion bar MUST go in from the front with the bulb end being what stops it at the control arm (with a little extra tap from a hammer). Is this right? Is there any other way? I'm having alot of trouble by myself lining everything up so that the torsion bar makes it through. I was tempted to take some sandpaper and clean up the hex hole and torsion bar end ...

thanks again for your help

Originally Posted by old_master

The bolts that go through the upper control arm bushings have cams on them. Those bolts/cams is where camber and caster adjustments are made during a wheel alignment. Try to get them as close as possible to the positions they were in before you took it apart. When you're all done, check and adjust chassis ride height THEN get the front end aligned. If you need the procedure and spec for ride height just ask.

[95SL]

to your question remove the torsion bar and then install from front.

[old_master]

This procedure only applies to 4WD. To check/adjust chassis ride height, the vehicle must be on a level surface, front to rear and side to side. DO NOT jack up the vehicle. Jounce the front end 3 or 4 times and let it come to rest. Step #1: Measure the vertical distance from the center of the lower control arm pivot bolt to the ground. Step #2: Measure the vertical distance from the lowest inboard edge of the steering knuckle to the ground. Step #3: Subtract measurement #2 from measurement #1. The result is chassis ride height. The spec for ZR2 & Z85 suspension is 4.6 to 5.2 inches. The spec without ZR2 or Z85 is 4.6 to 5.0 inches. Jounce the front end after each torsion bar adjustment and recheck the measurements. When chassis ride height is correct, align the front end. Any time chassis ride height is adjusted, even the slightest amount, the front end must be aligned. Adjusting chassis ride height above or below factory specs will shorten the life of outer tie rod ends, upper and lower ball joints, cv joints, and sway bar end links.

[muddog321]

Torsion bars - you removed the adjuster crossmember and dropped the rear assembly I hope then you simply pull the bars back and they slide out of the control arms. Install the hex end back in and grease the control arm as they are not a tight fix and actually can move or slide alittle in the control arm. Then with that same tool you ussed to drop or release them ( I use a 6" 2 jaw puller) reinstall the rear assembly and carefully torque the adjusters up to the same height as before (you should have marked the adj bolts or measured the thread) and as Old M said bounce the front and then measure the ride height.

[drdd]

I think I may need to clean up the hex part of the bar and the hex hole. This puppy does not want to go back in.

Also, on my torsion bar, their is a bulb at one end. I can't install the rear first. It HAS to come through the control arm, up and over the frame crossmember, etc to reach the rear hex.

I think I ned a second helper also to hold this control arm while I snake the hex part of the bar through. It's a very tight fit right now ...

I'll keep every one posted.

Thanks again for all your help.

Originally Posted by muddog321

Torsion bars - you removed the adjuster crossmember and dropped the rear assembly I hope then you simply pull the bars back and they slide out of the control arms. Install the hex end back in and grease the control arm as they are not a tight fix and actually can move or slide alittle in the control arm. Then with that same tool you ussed to drop or release them ( I use a 6" 2 jaw puller) reinstall the rear assembly and carefully torque the adjusters up to the same height as before (you should have marked the adj bolts or measured the thread) and as Old M said bounce the front and then measure the ride height.