When replacing front lower A Arm bushings (stock or V8), or rear leaf
springs do not tighten the mounting bolts until the car is back on a flat
surface.
Both the A arm Bush and Rear Leaf spring silent block bushings (big bushing
at the front of the leaf spring) are designed to be locked to the mounting
bolt/bracket. All movement is to be through rubber shear only.
Tightening these fasteners with the suspension unloaded adds the shear
springing of the bush to that of the main spring, until the rubber fails, or
the steel sleeve breaks free from clamping force.
When installing these types of metalastic bushing make sure that the outer
rubber is securely pressed into the component, and that the inner steel
sleeve is securely clamped so that it cannot rotate. This clamping must be
done when the component is at rest so that the rubber can stretch equally in
either direction of rotation.
I'm not saying that this is the problem with the instances being discussed
today, but the fist and a half raised front end story sounds really likely.
Kelvin.
Who despite knowing this had to undo his rear spring bolts after tightening
them up while the car was on jack stands. That's what I get for working
past midnite.
p.s note. If the car is supported under both the front A Arms, and rear
axle you may be able to get away with it. But if only one end or the other
is supported then the loading is not going to be correct.
> I'm surprised to
> hear you say that putting in new kingpins and bushing raised your ride
> height...especially by as much as a fist. I can't quite
> understand how that
> could make that much differance. Anybody? (How big are your hands
> anyway...?)
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