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Topic: rear control arm experiences... (Read 3333 times) previous topic - next topic

rear control arm experiences...

and having never done so before, I thought it would be a big PITA without using air tools.

I did spray the bolts/nuts down with panther piss (pb blaster), and used a short piece of pipe for an extension, and didn't have much of a problem, save for the lower one, on the passenger side.

Stripped off about half of the thread on it, before the nut finally turned off. Gave my arms a hell of a workout, considering.

So anyway, since the bolts are 22 years old, I'm gonna grab some new bolts from the hardware store...

I've looked around a bit, but can't find the torque specs for these..anybody got em? Thanks! :D
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

rear control arm experiences...

Reply #1
You'll have a hard time finding the grade 10.9 bolts at the local hardware store. 

Sometimes you can use 1/2" bolts (grade 8) in place of the originals, if you're reinstalling stock arms.  However, with aftermarket arms or bushings, you'll need to know what size the sleeve is spec'ed for.

IIRC, the torque spec max is 90ft-lbs, with the suspension loaded with the weight of the car. 

What are you installing in their place?
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon-  '81 Granada GL 2dr

rear control arm experiences...

Reply #2
CHE's..

Torque them with the suspension loaded eh? Will remember that :D

I figured I'd take an upper and a lower into the store with me, to find a good bolt..or try to, anyway.

Worst case, I'll get under the white car and pull a bolt or two from it.

BTW, did I post this in the wrong section? :punchballs:
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

rear control arm experiences...

Reply #3
Mine came with bolts. Although I couldn't use them because they were to short. lol
You can find 10.9s at Fastenal. They had to order them for me.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
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rear control arm experiences...

Reply #4
When you're at the yard,grab some control arm bolts.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

rear control arm experiences...

Reply #5
Quote from: daminc;315338
Mine came with bolts. Although I couldn't use them because they were to short. lol
You can find 10.9s at Fastenal. They had to order them for me.


Yep, Fastenal is awesome with hard to find hardware.  Exactly where I got my new bolts from.
88 TC, Lots of Mods.


rear control arm experiences...

Reply #6
Thanks for the tips fellas..I for sure will get 'em from fastenal.
I'd pull one from another car, but it might be the same way.

So, putting it all back together is gonna suck with the car sitting level and loaded on the floor :hick:.

Wish I had a lift, lol.

I do have a building with a concrete floor, I might make a platform of sorts, with some pieces of I beam I happen to have, and a couple long 2x12's...just to get a little clearance under it so I can get under to torque the bolts down.
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

rear control arm experiences...

Reply #7
I get a bunch of stuff from McMaster-Carr all the time too.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon-  '81 Granada GL 2dr

rear control arm experiences...

Reply #8
Couldn't you put the jackstands under the axle, and a-arms to load the suspension? Would leave you room to work.
95 Ranger Splash 2.3
88 Tbird Sport :ies::ies:
5.0 SO, stainless shorty headers, w/ Magnaflow lers. KYB struts, KYB shocks. 5lug conversion from sn95 Mustang, subframe connectors, drilled and slotted rotors, 03 Mach 1 wheels. sequential taillights.140 speedo

rear control arm experiences...

Reply #9
Could if I had any lol :hick:

Don't worry...it won't be one of those deals where I never come back to post the results...I'm not one to take chances.

I'll probably buy or borrow some jack stands...safety rocks ;)
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)


rear control arm experiences...

Reply #11
Put the front on ramps then...:shakeass:
95 Ranger Splash 2.3
88 Tbird Sport :ies::ies:
5.0 SO, stainless shorty headers, w/ Magnaflow lers. KYB struts, KYB shocks. 5lug conversion from sn95 Mustang, subframe connectors, drilled and slotted rotors, 03 Mach 1 wheels. sequential taillights.140 speedo

rear control arm experiences...

Reply #12
how did you unbolt the lowers with the rear being loaded?
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
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rear control arm experiences...

Reply #13
When I unbolted the lowers, the rear was already out lol

I have the car supported under the floor pans by a pair of old truck wheels/tires, and some artfully applied blocks of wood. (to keep from pinching the fuel lines) :hick:

I'll get it all back together without being flattened by a Fox lol

I got a plan.........
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

rear control arm experiences...

Reply #14
Dude, be careful
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook