streetsnake

I’m at my wits end. I’ve spent hours trying to figure out what’s wrong. I thought I had everything lined up and researched everything for a front suspension rebuild and I’ve hit a brick wall. I promised myself I wasn’t going to ask for help…again. Ugh. I got the cross member reinstalled and steering rack mounted so I moved to the wheel wells. I first installed the PS LCA and quickly realized that I first should have first installed the strut and UCA, which I did. One thing I did notice after I initially installed the LCA was the it was completely parallel with the ground, which I thought was strange but didn’t pay any attention until later. So, I got the strut and UCA installed and somewhat tightened up, then moved to the LCA. I CANNOT figure out how to get this thing mounted. I first tried to mount it without the shock mount/shock… there was no way that would work. I then tried to slide the shock mount down through the LCA and the bolt through the bottom of the shock. That potentially could of allowed me to hold the rear-situated bushing up into place and install the the clamp but there would be no way for me to get the front bolts started, let alone straight and not cross threaded. It seems the front bushing mount should be “clocked”. I’ve seen pics of take-offs that were like this but never new/remanufactured LCAs.

Just as background in case you haven’t seen my “Goldie…” thread, I have new Bilsteins and “triple brown dot” springs. Pic below. (of note, the lower collars have been turned up to show threads) Are they assembled incorrectly?? I didn’t think I would have to “load” anything until after everything was installed. Please help.

FredR

The lower control arms should mount quite easily as that has been my experience with them.

The parts are identical both sides when new and logic says that the front mounts should be aligned such that the bolt holes are at 90 degrees to the axis of the arm. Given these units have been remanufactured suggest you check to ensure this is still the case- if not check with the supplier to see if this is an error in the revamp process.

If they are not aligned at 90 degrees I am wondering if that may explain your problem.

Mrmerlin

Put the strut in put the three bolts on the top to hold it in place

put the upper control arm in.

put the lower control arm in .install the lower shock bolt and sway link
get your floor Jack ,
jack the lower control arm into the position.

Use a long drift pin in the front to guide the bolt hole Into alignment
as you jack up on the control arm get one bolt started in The front and snug.
use some grease on the bolt so it goes into the hole easily
Install the second bolt

Jack the rubber saddle into the cross member and then install the clamp

snug the bolts and then back them off half a.