I just purchased a set of Lakewood rear lower control arms with urethene bushings and grease fittings my question is this...How big a job is this and how much time should it take ? It doesn't look to be too big of a job but since I've never done it before I can't be sure. Thanks.

 

I find that it is easiest not to jack the car up at all. If you do jack it, put the car on jack stands and use a floor jack to support the rear axle. If you leave it on the ground, chock the wheels.

Then take the front and rear bolts from one LCA. They will be tight if they have never been off before. After you have both bolts off, pull the arm out. It may be a little tight as well, but will come free. The put the new on in and tighten the bolts. I have nevr known what the book torque spec was, but good-n-tight has worked for me for years. Repeat on the other side.

 

Exactly what he said, my bolts where hard as hell to get off, a little tip when you put them back on put a little antiseize on the threads so if you ever have to get them off again it wont be a pita.

 

Thanks much for the info guys.It doesn't sound too bad at all.Sounds like the toughest part may be breaking the old bolts loose.I'll shoot them good with some WD-40 or nut-buster a day or 2 before I do the work,and again,thanks!

 

yea tim I think nut-buster is exactly what we need to tackle this project

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no really it is not that hard - the only tricky thing is (especially if you are doing the PHB as well) that sometimes the rear end moves around and you need to get everything ligned up right. it may only move a fraction of an inch but that is enough to not allow you to get the bolts back in so you just have to work with it. also you may need a rubber mallet - trust me

 

You want to make sure you only disconnect one side at a time, complete the install and then do the other side of the car ( if you don't the rear end could rotate on you ). The torque spec is 60 ft/lbs at the nut or if you're tightening from the head of the bolt it's 80 ft/lbs.

Al

 

How do you guys know what your torquing the nuts to? I just do it by hand try to do it tight as hell......Is a Torque wrench that important?