How to reinstall lower arms?

jsilva

jsilva

Greenie N00B Member
Greenie Member
I was attempting to put back together my car and was reinstalling the lower arms and couldn’t figure out a good way to do it.

I was able to get the front arm partially in by banging it in from above (with difficulty...) and when it was in far enough I put on the nut and started tightening. This probably would have worked but I didn’t finish because it required a lot of effort to turn and I wasn’t sure if that was normal, and I also couldn’t get the hub to push in anymore to get the CV axle all of the way in.

I then tried the same thing with the rear arm and it wouldn’t go more than a smidgen in.

I’m assuming there’s a better way...?

(5 and 6 in the image)
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Disconnect the UCA to allow it to drop further and allow for more swing. Then after the LCAs are in, slide the axle into place, start the axle nut but don't tighten. Reconnect UCA/UBJ into spindle.
 
Use a jack to cycle the suspension up and down.

Suspension arms are made to keep the tire moving in a desired direction within a limited range of motion. When you start unbolting it to service, the suspension can droop further or swing out.

Using a jack under the hub can allow you to move and maintain the arms suspended so you can bolt them back together.

If you use the jack method, you shouldnt have to bang the shit out of your suspension to take it apart and put it back together.
 
The opposite of how you took them out?

Seriously thoughGood advice above my post I usually use a jack to move it closer to its normal position and lines everything up.
 
Thanks for the replies. After my post I came across this video where at 9:50 he easily slides the arms in. Is his even jacked up at all?

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I did jack it up to some extent and visually they looked lined up, but the arm just wouldn’t go in easily. I suppose maybe it needs to go up more.

L337TurboZ said:
Disconnect the UCA to allow it to drop further and allow for more swing. Then after the LCAs are in, slide the axle into place, start the axle nut but don't tighten. Reconnect UCA/UBJ into spindle.
Click to expand...

I did actually consider that. Thanks for the push. It probably would make it easier.
 
I did end up getting the arms in with some finagling and a little bit of hitting :) Thanks for the input!
 
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