Addcos and Metcos How To for Dummies [Archive]

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Shora

11-06-2006, 07:14 PM

Addcos and Metcos

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/5/1/3/133_3317_thumb.jpg (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/showimage.php?i=5862&c=3&userid=3513)

I have been doing a lot of reading about said suspension items but I cannot find a “How to Install for Dummies” on these.
I don’t have the mechanical background as many of you do but I am not afraid to get dirty and I enjoy the mods that I self install more than when others do it.
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Who would like to take the time to answer a few questions for me? The directions that came with said items are vague and worse “HAVE NO PICTURES”. LOL.
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Addcos:
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1) How do I get the ratchet on top of the end links? I only took a quick look but it looked rather difficult to reach up there. Especially the top of the rear ones.
<o:p></o:p>
2) What should I torque them to? Directions say “…Until the End-Links Bushings Just Bulge Slightly.” How about a number?
<o:p></o:p>
3) Do I raise the car on Jacks and remove the wheels? Raise it and leave the wheels on? Leave it on the ground and send my skinny 8 yr. old nephew down there?
<o:p></o:p>
4) And please don’t laugh because I honestly don’t know exactly how these suspensions work but will removing the OEM sway bar and adding the Addco affect my alignment? Carfixer did my alignment himself and its still perfect (car drives straight as an arrow and just right wear on the fronts.)
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Metcos:
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I know to raise the car on jacks and then also lift the rear axle using the floor jack. My main problems are:
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1) Which are easier to start with “Upper or Lower Control Arms?
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2) What do I torque them to?
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3) What in the world does this mean: “Install lower control arms with grease fittings facing down and install uppers with grease fitting up at axle bracket and down at frame mount.” (This is a word for word quote).
<o:p></o:p>
3a) What and where are the grease fittings. Is it this? http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/5/1/3/133_3321_thumb.jpg (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/showimage.php?i=5864&c=3&userid=3513)

On the uppers, these holes are on the same side of the bar. On the lowers, they are on opposite sides? Honestly, I don’t have a clue which goes where.
<o:p></o:p>
3b) What are those holes and bolts for anyways? Directions don’t mention doing anything at all with them.
4) The Addcos seem more obvious on where to grease but what about these Metcos? Where exactly to I grease them and how do I reapply? (IE, do I have to remove them to reapply grease?)
<o:p></o:p>
Lastly, what heavy duty synthetic grease should I get (brand name) and where can I get it. Someone once mentioned Mobil 1 Synthetic grease but I could not find it anywhere.
<o:p></o:p>
I know that these are a lot of questions but maybe when the answers are in; this thread can be moved to the Resource Room where other beginners like me can benefit from it.

fastblackmerc

11-06-2006, 07:48 PM

Addcos and Metcos

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/5/1/3/133_3317_thumb.jpg (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/showimage.php?i=5862&c=3&userid=3513)

I have been doing a lot of reading about said suspension items but I cannot find a “How to Install for Dummies” on these.
I don’t have the mechanical background as many of you do but I am not afraid to get dirty and I enjoy the mods that I self install more than when others do it.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comhttp://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/ /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Who would like to take the time to answer a few questions for me? The directions that came with said items are vague and worse “HAVE NO PICTURES”. LOL.
<o:p></o:p>
Addcos:
<o:p></o:p>
1) How do I get the ratchet on top of the end links? I only took a quick look but it looked rather difficult to reach up there. Especially the top of the rear ones.
You can use a ratchet on the nuts but not the bolts if I remember correctly.
<o:p></o:p>
2) What should I torque them to? Directions say “…Until the End-Links Bushings Just Bulge Slightly.” How about a number?
That is correct, tighten until the bushing bulges slightly.
<o:p></o:p>
3) Do I raise the car on Jacks and remove the wheels? Raise it and leave the wheels on? Leave it on the ground and send my skinny 8 yr. old nephew down there?
Rear Addco - rear wheels on. Front Addco - front wheels off.
<o:p></o:p>
4) And please don’t laugh because I honestly don’t know exactly how these suspensions work but will removing the OEM sway bar and adding the Addco affect my alignment? Carfixer did my alignment himself and its still perfect (car drives straight as an arrow and just right wear on the fronts.)
Will not affect the alignment.
<o:p></o:p>
Metcos:
<o:p></o:p>
I know to raise the car on jacks and then also lift the rear axle using the floor jack. My main problems are:
<o:p></o:p>
1) Which are easier to start with “Upper or Lower Control Arms?
Do the uppers first so if you drop a tool it won't ding the lower arm.
<o:p></o:p>
2) What do I torque them to?
Upper control arm to axle bolt 69ft lb, the other three bolts are 111 ft lb.
<o:p></o:p>
3) What in the world does this mean: “Install lower control arms with grease fittings facing down and install uppers with grease fitting up at axle bracket and down at frame mount.” (This is a word for word quote).
What this means is you install the lower control arm with the grease fittings facing the ground and the uppers with the grease fitting on the end that will attach to the axle bracket facing up so the other end that attaches at the body/chassis will be facing down.
<o:p></o:p>
3a) What and where are the grease fittings. Is it this?
Yes, those are the grease fittings. The poly bushing need to be greased with a synthetic grease once or twice a year.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/5/1/3/133_3321_thumb.jpg (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/showimage.php?i=5864&c=3&userid=3513)

On the uppers, these holes are on the same side of the bar. On the lowers, they are on opposite sides? Honestly, I don’t have a clue which goes where.
I think you have it backwards.... the upper arms are the shorter ones and the grease fittings are on opposite sides. The lower arms are longer and the grease fittinga are on the same side.
<o:p></o:p>
3b) What are those holes and bolts for anyways? Directions don’t mention doing anything at all with them.
No idea what you are talking about here.
4) The Addcos seem more obvious on where to grease but what about these Metcos? Where exactly to I grease them and how do I reapply? (IE, do I have to remove them to reapply grease?)
You need to buy a grease gun and synthetic grease cartridge. You don't have to remove them, that's why you install them like I stated above. The cartridge goes in the grease gun and the grease gun plugs onto the fitting(s). You pump the grease gun handle and the grease is forced into the fitting(s).
<o:p></o:p>
Lastly, what heavy duty synthetic grease should I get (brand name) and where can I get it. Someone once mentioned Mobil 1 Synthetic grease but I could not find it anywhere.
Any SYNTHETIC grade grease will do.
<o:p></o:p>
I know that these are a lot of questions but maybe when the answers are in; this thread can be moved to the Resource Room where other beginners like me can benefit from it.

Checkout this post:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=12164&highlight=control+arm+torque

If you want PM me with your number and I'll talk you thru the installation.

If your going to be at MM IV maybe we can have an install party?

Shora

11-06-2006, 08:18 PM

On the uppers, these holes are on the same side of the bar. On the lowers, they are on opposite sides? Honestly, I don’t have a clue which goes where.
The upper arms are installed with the grease fittings pointed DOWN. The lower arms are installed so the grease fitting in the front is pointing towards the ground.

You Sir are the MAN!! I don't think that you could have made it more clear for me. Thank you very much! Let me look for a grease gun and synthetic grease and I will update.

Thanks again. :beer:

PS.

I think you meant lower where you said upper and vice versa. I know, I was kind of repetitive in my questions.

Shora

11-14-2006, 06:36 PM

Update:

Metco:

I went out to buy a grease gun today and got stuck. Since most of the greasing is upside down, do I need to buy some form of adaptor so that the needle of the grease gun can actually screws into the control arm? I could not find any adaptors anywhere (Sears, Pep Boys, Advance Auto Parts) and it seems that attempting to grease them otherwise (with just the needle) will not be effective.

Addco:

Also, Fastblackmerc confirmed that you only tighten the Addcos until the bushings swell a bit. However, they also connect at their endings/tips (section without bushings). What do I torque those screws to?

As you can probably guess, I don't have enough experience with these type of installs and I won't be able to just "eyeball it." This means that I need a number to torque these Sway Bars.

fastblackmerc

11-14-2006, 07:54 PM

Update:

Metco:

I went out to buy a grease gun today and got stuck. Since most of the greasing is upside down, do I need to buy some form of adaptor so that the needle of the grease gun can actually screws into the control arm?The grease usually comes with an adapter at the end of the hose that fits over the zerk (grease fitting) I could not find any adaptors anywhere (Sears, Pep Boys, Advance Auto Parts) and it seems that attempting to grease them otherwise (with just the needle) will not be effective.

Addco:

Also, Fastblackmerc confirmed that you only tighten the Addcos until the bushings swell a bit. However, they also connect at their endings/tips (section without bushings). What do I torque those screws to?

The rear Addco ends should look like this: See picture. The fronts mount differently.

As you can probably guess, I don't have enough experience with these type of installs and I won't be able to just "eyeball it." This means that I need a number to torque these Sway Bars.

See this post for more install instructions: http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=5222&highlight=sway+bar+torque

See these links for torque specs and install info: http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=16313&highlight=torque+specs

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7493&highlight=torque+specs