Questions about installing front suspension
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Questions about installing front suspension
I am going to be reinstalling my control arms, springs, wheel assemblies etc. this week.
First, I know I need to wait until the engine is in the car and the weight is on the tires before I torque the control arm shaft bolts. This makes total sense.
All of the books seem to reference keeping the lower shaft arm bolts loose as you install the front spring. This too makes total sense. But, do I need to loosen the upper shaft bolts? It would seem like the upper and lower should not be torqued until the weight of the car is on the wheels. But, that would just push the entire upper/lower assembly up as high as it can go. So, is there already a preset angle that the rebuilt upper control arms have had their bolts tightened at in relation to the flat face of the shaft? Do I loosen them once the spring is installed and then torque them after the motor is in or do I just leave them alone?
Also, in reading through the asssembly manual i am surprised at some of the items that are tagged to be torqued to a certain amount. The items that jump out at me are the "lub fittings" on page J174, and the stablizer bracket screws on page J176.
Can anyone make out what should be torqued to "120-180 LBS-IN" on page J174? It looks like it is pointing to the coil bumpers but that can't be right, can it? Could it possibly be referring to a ball joint that is not riveted in place?
Thanks in advance for the help!!
B-L88
[Modified by BAD-L88, 9:45 AM 12/23/2001]
First, I know I need to wait until the engine is in the car and the weight is on the tires before I torque the control arm shaft bolts. This makes total sense.
All of the books seem to reference keeping the lower shaft arm bolts loose as you install the front spring. This too makes total sense. But, do I need to loosen the upper shaft bolts? It would seem like the upper and lower should not be torqued until the weight of the car is on the wheels. But, that would just push the entire upper/lower assembly up as high as it can go. So, is there already a preset angle that the rebuilt upper control arms have had their bolts tightened at in relation to the flat face of the shaft? Do I loosen them once the spring is installed and then torque them after the motor is in or do I just leave them alone?
Also, in reading through the asssembly manual i am surprised at some of the items that are tagged to be torqued to a certain amount. The items that jump out at me are the "lub fittings" on page J174, and the stablizer bracket screws on page J176.
Can anyone make out what should be torqued to "120-180 LBS-IN" on page J174? It looks like it is pointing to the coil bumpers but that can't be right, can it? Could it possibly be referring to a ball joint that is not riveted in place?
Thanks in advance for the help!!
B-L88
[Modified by BAD-L88, 9:45 AM 12/23/2001]
#2
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Aug 2000
Location: Frankfurt, Taunus Hills
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Re: Questions about installing front suspension (BAD-L88)
You can tighten the cross-shaft bolts, there is no influence if there is weight on or not.
Only thing is that if you have rubber bushings you need more force to push the arm up.
I dont have the AIM on hand now, but:
The rubber bumper has only some small bolts, so the info seems to be right.
Also the lube fittings are of a soft metal and they shouldn´t be too tight.
Only thing is that if you have rubber bushings you need more force to push the arm up.
I dont have the AIM on hand now, but:
The rubber bumper has only some small bolts, so the info seems to be right.
Also the lube fittings are of a soft metal and they shouldn´t be too tight.
#3
Racer
Thread Starter
Re: Questions about installing front suspension (454Big)
I do have rubber bushings.
I am not referring to where the upper shaft connects to the frame. I am referring to the bolts that go through the busings on the side of the upper control arm through the axcis of rotation. Do I need to loosen those bolts at all before I install the spring or after the spring assembly is already in place?
Thanks
I am not referring to where the upper shaft connects to the frame. I am referring to the bolts that go through the busings on the side of the upper control arm through the axcis of rotation. Do I need to loosen those bolts at all before I install the spring or after the spring assembly is already in place?
Thanks
#4
Racer
Thread Starter
Re: Questions about installing front suspension (454Big)
Never mind, my mistake.
The top of the spring does not touch the upper control arm. This is where I had it wrong in my head. The top of the spring goes into the frame. Sorry for the silly questions, my car is about 100 miles from where I live.
Thanks again.
The top of the spring does not touch the upper control arm. This is where I had it wrong in my head. The top of the spring goes into the frame. Sorry for the silly questions, my car is about 100 miles from where I live.
Thanks again.
#5
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Sep 2000
Location: Maine
Posts: 922
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Questions about installing front suspension (BAD-L88)
Don't forget to turn the coil springs right-way up (closer spaced coils near the top) and to properly align the spring into the perch.
#6
Racer
Thread Starter
Re: Questions about installing front suspension (Frank75)
Thanks Frank,
The coils both seem the same at both ends. These are supposed to be F-41 spings. There is a notch in the side of the coil at one end. Does anyone know if that is supposed to be the top or the bottom?
[Modified by BAD-L88, 6:02 AM 12/25/2001]
The coils both seem the same at both ends. These are supposed to be F-41 spings. There is a notch in the side of the coil at one end. Does anyone know if that is supposed to be the top or the bottom?
[Modified by BAD-L88, 6:02 AM 12/25/2001]
#7
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Aug 2000
Location: Frankfurt, Taunus Hills
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Re: Questions about installing front suspension (BAD-L88)
They need to fit in the tower pocket and in the lower A-Arm pocket.
Therefore you need to check out which way they need to go.
I don´t recall a spring to be mounted in a certain way (except the back leaf spring upside down :lol: )
To my knowledge all the GM and Vendors don´t have progressive springs that have to go in by the direction. To my mind they have the same compression rate throughout the spring.
So watch out to get the spring fit in the pocket.
Merry Christmas!
Therefore you need to check out which way they need to go.
I don´t recall a spring to be mounted in a certain way (except the back leaf spring upside down :lol: )
To my knowledge all the GM and Vendors don´t have progressive springs that have to go in by the direction. To my mind they have the same compression rate throughout the spring.
So watch out to get the spring fit in the pocket.
Merry Christmas!
#8
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Nov 2001
Location: Casa Grande AZ
Posts: 2,214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Questions about installing front suspension (454Big)
I agree with 454Big. I could not find a top or bottom on my springs. They do need to fit in the groove in the lower a arms so they don't move and end up the same height. That part is easy. The upper portion is more difficult as they MUST fit properly into the pocket. I have PROVEN that they can be installed with the coils blocking the upper shock mount! Then you have to compress the spring and pry it into its correct location. It is alot more fun to get it in the correct spot the first time!
#9
Melting Slicks
Re: Questions about installing front suspension (lbell101)
I'm in the middle of doing this myself. My old springs definitely had a top and bottom. Closer (much) on the top than bottom. The new replacement springs do look the same on top and bottom, but Vette Brakes puts a piece of tape on the bottom side to identify it.
Good luck. (If I could do it anyone can :D:D )
BTW I did brake a socket on the lower control arm to frame bolt. :cool: :cheers: Too much rust.
Good luck. (If I could do it anyone can :D:D )
BTW I did brake a socket on the lower control arm to frame bolt. :cool: :cheers: Too much rust.
#10
Tech Contributor
Re: Questions about installing front suspension (BAD-L88)
The originals were wound with tighter coils on one end, th eaftermarket ones I got from Corvette Central last year do not have any markings and are wound evenly spaced. I was told there was no differance on the aftermarkets on which end goes in top or bottom. Unless someone knows otherwise it's not an issue?
Gary
Gary
#11
Racer
Thread Starter
Re: Questions about installing front suspension (BAD-L88)
Control arms today, springs tomorrow!!!
I installed both the uppers and lowers today. (I will post a link to the photos in a separate reply sonce they seem to mess up the format of my posts.) If all goes well with the springs, the front stablilzer bar and steering box are next. Please let me finish the front already so I can get to the rear!
I have 3 sets of springs. The set I took off my car, which should be F-41 (pictured below), and two new pairs (one spare and one for my friend) of NOS F-41 springs, part # 3832518. They all appear to be the same size, have the same spacing. I don't see any difference in spacing from top to bottom. The only thing they all have at one end is a notch on the outer side right at the beginning. Unless I hear otherwise i am planning on putting the notch side at the bottom. I am thinking maybe it somehow helps water flow out the bottom. I will also look inside the tower to see if maybe there is a "male" counterpart to the notch.
That's it for today. Thanks for all of the technical support. It is reassuring to know that I have this board at my back.
[Modified by BAD-L88, 6:01 AM 12/25/2001]
I installed both the uppers and lowers today. (I will post a link to the photos in a separate reply sonce they seem to mess up the format of my posts.) If all goes well with the springs, the front stablilzer bar and steering box are next. Please let me finish the front already so I can get to the rear!
I have 3 sets of springs. The set I took off my car, which should be F-41 (pictured below), and two new pairs (one spare and one for my friend) of NOS F-41 springs, part # 3832518. They all appear to be the same size, have the same spacing. I don't see any difference in spacing from top to bottom. The only thing they all have at one end is a notch on the outer side right at the beginning. Unless I hear otherwise i am planning on putting the notch side at the bottom. I am thinking maybe it somehow helps water flow out the bottom. I will also look inside the tower to see if maybe there is a "male" counterpart to the notch.
That's it for today. Thanks for all of the technical support. It is reassuring to know that I have this board at my back.
[Modified by BAD-L88, 6:01 AM 12/25/2001]
#12
Racer
Thread Starter
Re: Questions about installing front suspension (BAD-L88)
Control arms installed:
Engine view:
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/badl88/vw...c=ph%26.view=t
Left side:
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/badl88/vw...c=ph%26.view=t
Right side:
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/badl88/vw...c=ph%26.view=t
Springs:
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/badl88/vw...c=ph%26.view=t
[Modified by BAD-L88, 5:54 AM 12/25/2001]
Engine view:
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/badl88/vw...c=ph%26.view=t
Left side:
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/badl88/vw...c=ph%26.view=t
Right side:
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/badl88/vw...c=ph%26.view=t
Springs:
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/badl88/vw...c=ph%26.view=t
[Modified by BAD-L88, 5:54 AM 12/25/2001]