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When to and when not to tighten front suspension bolts

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I did a search on this and only ended up getting more confused. My question is, what bolts should be tightened on the front suspension when it is in the air and what bolts get tightened after it's on the ground? I'm speaking in terms of a car that's just had it's entire front suspension ripped apart and rebuilt with all new bushings, components, etc. I am using graphite impregnated polyurethane bushings, Helwig sway bar, Hotchkis springs, Koni shocks, Wilwood front brakes, etc.

Thanks.
 
#2 ·
The default position for tightening the bushing bolts (4 on each side of the front end) is with the weight of the car on the wheels (make sure the car is on a level surface).

For poly and solid bushings I believe you may tighten while the car is up on stands since there is no (or very minute) deflection in the bushings under load.
 
#3 ·
Originally posted by choptop:
The default position for tightening the bushing bolts (4 on each side of the front end) is with the weight of the car on the wheels (make sure the car is on a level surface).
Click to expand...
This would be the recommended method for ploy graphite, poly u-thane and the stock or rubber bushings as well. Ploy will compress and if loaded in "bind", it is where the squeeking comes from, not to mention the bushing will be preloaded which can lead to bushing failure later on. The only time it does not matter is when you are using a solid type like the Herb Adams, the Global West and some of the other oil lite soild bushings.

Image
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
When you say, "weight of the car"...are you talking about with the engine and trans in it and the front clip bolted on? I don't have my engine and trans yet but will be bolting my front clip back on when finished with my front suspension rebuild. Should I tighten everything else but hold off on the bushings until I get the rest of the weight on the front end?

Thanks.
 
#7 ·
I just got to thinking about this and want to say that I went to the local ACE hardware store and bought all Grade-8 bolts, nuts and good washers for my suspension so I don't have the rocker arm type nuts on any of my bolts anymore.

What do you think of just snugging everything up real good, not too tight, and drilling everything and just safety-wiring?? pdq67
 
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