Torque Sequence......

[Chris69Chevell]

I am rebuilding my front suspension from the upper control arms down, what is the best sequence of torquing all of the bolts and should the car be on the ground first?

[chevymaher]

I don't thiink it really matters. I did mine on the lift.

[BillsCamino]

Yes, it is best if the car in on the ground, or at least compress the suspension with a floor jack when tightening the control arm bolts to spec.
This applies to the rear arms too.

[Chris69Chevell]

Yes, it is best if the car in on the ground, or at least compress the suspension with a floor jack when tightening the control arm bolts to spec.
This applies to the rear arms too.

What about the upper and lower ball joints can I torque them with the car jacked up?

[Ken Hayes]

Ball joints, no problem, go ahead and tighten em up.

[Chris69Chevell]

That's because I already did...lol

[Hank70SS]

As mentioned sequence is not important. If you installed rubber bushings then definitely need the car sitting on the wheels. Bounce it up and down a few times before tightening the bolts. Rubber bushings are bonded to both the outer shell and inner sleeve. If you tighten the bolts with the suspension hanging the bushings will hold the car up higher than normal. Poly bushings are not bonded so they so won't have that problem.

[Chris69Chevell]

As mentioned sequence is not important. If you installed rubber bushings then definitely need the car sitting on the wheels. Bounce it up and down a few times before tightening the bolts. Rubber bushings are bonded to both the outer shell and inner sleeve. If you tighten the bolts with the suspension hanging the bushings will hold the car up higher than normal. Poly bushings are not bonded so they so won't have that problem.

You are talking about the control arm bushing.....correct?

[shadowgray396]

Yes. Car should have all the weight it's going to have installed before the control arm bolts are tighten.

[Chris69Chevell]

Thanks! I am installing the grey spiral shocks....and in the bolt kit they sent two nuts for the top. It only calls for one isn't that correct?

[Chris69Chevell]

Finally found the time to complete the front suspension, so do I put the car on the ground bounce it a few times then torque everything while the car is still on the ground?
Thanks!!

[Ken Hayes]

Yes, not in the air.

[Chris69Chevell]

Thanks a lot!!

[shadowgray396]

As long all the weight is in the car, like the engine, trans, etc. It was the last thing I did when I built my car.