Ridetech control arms, should this move?
 

On the upper control arms, all 4 of these move very easily and freely around. Should they and what is their purpose?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...B4324FEFEF.jpg

I'm referring to the inner small washer seen in the above pic.

Have you tightened down the cross shaft nuts all of the way? I can't really tell in the picture you posted but the washers will be loose until those nuts are tight.

I'll have to double check that. I thought I tightened them up tight, but not too tight so that there would be bind. I just may have them a little too loose.

Here's another pic I uploaded a while back. I'm suspecting the arms are too loose.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...A0EC64F6B9.jpg

No torque spec given but:

5. Tighten cross shaft nuts enough to create a drag on the delrin bushings, the arm should still move.


What I am seeing is tighten the nut @ ride height till the slack is taken up on the washer. 1/4 turn past. Retest.

Thanks Vince. In my #5, the instructions aren't worded like that. All I have is 'Position the suspension at mid travel and tighten the cross shaft nuts.'

I was so worried about bind, I did not tighten these enough. All 4 inner washers move freely and easily quite a bit. This is hopefully the source of the loose clunky feeling I have. I'll have to double check the rear as well.

Strange!! Be nice to have an actual torque number too. We like a reachable goal.

Also remember that the front support weight is 500 + LBS and don't go by what you can lift or push down on when gauging actual bind. :thumbsup:

That clunky feeling you are experiencing maybe the harshness from the heims in the coil over mounts. There is very little give in them as rubber has.

They appear to be rubber on mine if I'm not mistaken. Wonder if that would make a difference in how tight it should be.

sorry, I meant on the coil over mounts. Top is usually delrin and the bottom is a metal heim ball.

Got ya. Thanks so much for the help! This is definitely new territory for me. I'm the guy they should hand the whole kit too while someone watches and writes instructions. A video wouldn't hurt either.

On another note, is it possible to overtighten the lower bolt that goes through the two spacers at the heim ball? I would guess it wouldn't matter as this shouldn't prevent the ball from moving freely.

no problem, any time.

Minimum torque on a 5/8" bolt is 150 ft lbs min and 180 ft lbs max

Since we are going with a nylock nut I usually so 45-65 ft lbs

Can I apply for that job? I'm very qualified ;)

Good working with you! :cheers:

Josh, might want to clarify that part in the instructions for future customers.

With these being an old design, they've changed a little bit :D

The arms are an old design?

For some reason, I was thinking your car was a 1st Gen until I looked at your signature. That is still the current design for the 2nd Gen. I'll see if I can do anything with the instructions.