Metco CA Install Tips and Tricks?

[cougar9150]

I just got delivery of my new Metco Control arms and was wondering if anyone had any specific tips or tricks on doing this install properly. I did a search but it will take me days to dig through all of the threads pertaining to the Metco, Zack and Mac, etc....

I Just remember last year some people had problems with their bushings getting eaten up quickly and want to avoid that since I have a lead foot.

I have also read about people swapping out the grease fittings from straights to 90s on one end of the CAs. Which CA's need this and which end?

I know in the factory manual it says to measure the distance from the center of the wheel to the fender well lip. Then to place the car on jack stands swap out the control arms. Before tightening you will need to jack the rear end up until the center of the wheel to the fender well lip matches the measurement.

What order should these be installed in first lower then upper? If I did the lowers first would I need to lower the car down and remeasure before starting on the uppers?

Any advice would be great. Thanks guys.

[Dr Caleb]

+1 I'm looking at doing this in the next couple weeks too.

Searching 'Metco' here brings up a kajillion threads and nearly as many arguments. ;)

[Blk Mamba]

Send them to me, I'll put them on, no problem.

[justbob]

You are thinking WAY too much about this. Simply replace one at a time and you'll be fine. These are not adjustable so measurements are not needed. Mine took one hour only because one bolt stuck to the old bushing, wd40 and plenty of back and forth movement of the bolt fixed this. Otherwise this is a thirty minute job.

[O's Fan Rich]

I re-did mine a few months ago.... I did NOT install them right at first and had to replace my bushings....
Install zerks.
I lubed up the bushings with SYNTHETIC LUBE and installed them on the arms.

Put the car in the air ( turn off suspension first)
Take the wheels and tires off the rear..... duh....
One side at a time, pull old arms off and install new Metcos.... watch for the orientation of front to rear...

Tighten them down, but don't fully torque them yet.

After they are all on, put the car on the gorund.... yeah, put the wheels and tires back on first...

Torque bolts down to spec...96 lbs or something like that?.... better dbl check.
Put a little grease in, don't swell the bushings out like mad...
Turn suspension on.
Test drive.

[O's Fan Rich]

Links to my metco stuff:

http://www.motorcitymarauders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7066&highlight=metco

http://www.motorcitymarauders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7130&highlight=metco

[Jolly Roger]

Installed mine about two weeks ago and everything seemed to be pretty staight forward.
Don't put your jack stands under the rear end housing, put them under the frame near the jacking point for your tire jack. That way if you put your floor jack under the rear end center section you will be able to raise or lower the axle housing in case the bolts try to bind while taking them out or installing them.
Also the arms have a front and rear and up and down.
Uppers go in with grease holes UP.
Lowers go in with grease holes DOWN.
Putting a angle fitting in the front of the upper might make grease service a bit easier.
You'll see when re-assembling.
I think I also remember that the front and rear bolt for the upper and lowers are two different sizes, so make sure that you pay attention to that.
Last ,I always use a bit of anti-seize when re-assembling parts (it dosen't hurt).;)
Both sides and rear sway bar took me about 1 1/2 hrs. with hand tools.
Air tools would be quicker.
Good luck.

[cougar9150]

O's Fan Rich that is the thread I was looking for. No wonder I couldn't find it on this site.

I was going by what the factory service manual said as far as the install procedure but it seemed more complicated than what I had read previously.

Thanks for the offer Trash but I had to work the wife over to get these so I don't think I'll just be giving them away.

Thanks for the responses guys and I appreciate the input. Gonna get dirty this weekend installing the new CAs, my new rear sway bar, and new upper shock mount bushings. Just need to pick up a new floor jack and prime up the compressor then we are in business. Then I can drive my car again and park the wife's G35 back in the garage. Sick of hearing about the miles I've put on it in the last 2 weeks since my stock CA bushings failed.

[Dr Caleb]

Excellent! :bows:

Thanks guys!

Figured it would be straight forward, but Cougar9150's questions about grease fittings threw me.

Took your advice too on the QA1s Rich. Ordered an a$$load of stuff from Summit.

[O's Fan Rich]

Excellent! :bows:

Thanks guys!

Figured it would be straight forward, but Cougar9150's questions about grease fittings threw me.

Took your advice too on the QA1s Rich. Ordered an a$$load of stuff from Summit.

Ok!......have fun!