Lowering...control arm torq spec?

[rocko112869]

Will be whacking my coils this weekend...upon reassembly i plan to lossen the contol arm bolts to allow car to drop as per some of the threads ive read....does any one have the torq spec for re-tightening?

[SpartaPerformance]

Ball joint 150lb ft
Arm to frame bolts are 166lb ft
In case you loosen the caster bushing bolts those three are 66lb ft

[JBeezy]

Great info. I need to do this. I cut my coils about 1000 miles ago, but never loosened the control arms. Couldnt figure out why my car never did get any lower, LOL!

[gdsqdcr]

You know, I never did this. I lowered my 04 by cutting the coils, and she dropped. On my 03, the coils were cut, but the car never lowered like I wanted it too.

Can someone explain what exactly needs to be done? I see the torque specs but is just loosing the parts, letting it settle and then retighting? Is it that simple?

Thanks!
Anthony

[ReefBlueCoupe]

Lower arm-to-crossmember nut and cam bolt 166
Lower arm-to-frame nuts 85
Lower ball joint-to-wheel knuckle nut 111
Upper arm-to-crossmember nuts and bolts 111
Upper ball joint-to-wheel knuckle nuts 111
Stabilizer bar link nuts 46
Stabilizer bar bracket-to-frame nuts 46
Shock absorber-to-crossmember upper nuts 22
Shock absorber-to-lower arm nut and flag bolt 166
Wheel bearing and hub-to-wheel knuckle bolts 74
Caliper anchor plate-to-wheel knuckle bolts 118
Steering gear-to-crossmember stud nuts 76
Steering gear-to-crossmember studs 13
Shock absorber top stud nut 37
Tie-rod end-to-wheel knuckle 59
Disc brake caliper bolt 32
Front brake hose bolt 41
Front disc brake caliper anchor plate bolt 118
Disc brake caliper bleeder screw 15

[ReefBlueCoupe]

You know, I never did this. I lowered my 04 by cutting the coils, and she dropped. On my 03, the coils were cut, but the car never lowered like I wanted it too.

Can someone explain what exactly needs to be done? I see the torque specs but is just loosing the parts, letting it settle and then retighting? Is it that simple?

Thanks!
Anthony

You're leaving out the huge step of removing the springs from the struts before cutting them so you don't die.

[Mote]

Can you keep the stock shocks? Do they work fine when their travel - The operating range changes? Because once lowered, they are "too long" for the application. Is this an issue?

[gdsqdcr]

You're leaving out the huge step of removing the springs from the struts before cutting them so you don't die.

I got that part ... I left out a few other steps as well ... remove tire .... :lol:

:D

[cougar9150]

Can someone explain what exactly needs to be done? I see the torque specs but is just loosing the parts, letting it settle and then retighting? Is it that simple?

Thanks!
Anthony

It's about that simple, just loosen up the CA bolts, bounce it up and down a few times, then tighten her back up.

[gdsqdcr]

It's about that simple, just loosen up the CA bolts, bounce it up and down a few times, then tighten her back up.

I can do this on the ground? Really?

[cougar9150]

I can do this on the ground? Really?

easy, peezy, lemon squeezey it's just that simple if everything is already installed. Just make sure your sitting on a level surface first.

Then you'll have to get at the upper CA Nuts either through the engine bay or through the wheel well. Then you'll need to crawl under the car to loosen the lower CA bolts. Crawl out and bounce it a few times, let it sit for a couple minutes to settle again, and then tighten it all back up.

Since your not replacing anything you wouldn't need to lift it off the ground and none of the bolts need to come out you just need to loosen them so that the arms are loose from the frame. Just untorque the bolts/nuts, loosen them another 1/4-1/2 turn to allow movement and you should be fine.

If you notice a change in your ride height after doing this you will need to go an get an alignment.

[Mote]

Can you keep the stock shocks? Do they work fine when their travel, when the operating range changes? Once lowered, are they are "too long" for the application? Is this an issue?

[cougar9150]

Can you keep the stock shocks? Do they work fine when their travel, when the operating range changes? Once lowered, are they are "too long" for the application? Is this an issue?

Nope no issue, numerous people are running stock shocks or KYBs with a cut coil or Eibach springs. Shocks will work fine but it will be a little difficult to get the alignment right.

Take a look through the numerous threads detailing the removal of the flags and other adjustments made to get the alignment into Carfixer's specs. Then find yourself a good and patient alignment shop.