Looking for help, again.

-

nodemon

FABO Gold Member
FABO Gold Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2015
Messages
1,272
Reaction score
741
Location
St.Louis
Getting ready to reassemble front suspension...including the K-member. I've looked through my manuals and there's not really a sequential layout for this process.
For those that have done this or just know, what's the correct or best way to go about it..? If I know me, I'll get halfway done and realize I needed to do something and have to tear it apart because I missed something.
K-member, steering box, upper control arms, shocks, torsion bars, backing plates, ect...
Thanks..!
 
i like to get the K in first with the steering box and usually the centerlink/idler/pitman, i won't torque all that up, only the K to set it in place.

to note: initially i put everything together finger tight jimmy.

then i usually hang the UCA's and put on the spindles along with the lower ball joint. then i'll attach the strut to the LCA and slide all that in and get a nut on the K side of each so it doesn't go anywhere. wheel that whole mess up and attach it to the LCA/lower joint.

once that's all together i'll run back and snug everything up wrench tight and slide in the t-bars. then the shocks after (honestly, those can go on last).

that's the meat and potatoes.

i like to put on the caliper adapters (if you have them) last so that it's easier to get at everything and torque it. generally that's when i do the tie rods and sleeves.

then i'll do the splash shields when i do the brake calipers and rotors. don't forget the gasket between the shield and rotor.

the LCA pin nuts and strut rods get torqued when the car is off the jack stands and at ride height.

don't forget the cotter pins and to grease everything!

i think i covered everything?
 
i like to get the K in first with the steering box and usually the centerlink/idler/pitman, i won't torque all that up, only the K to set it in place.

to note: initially i put everything together finger tight jimmy.

then i usually hang the UCA's and put on the spindles along with the lower ball joint. then i'll attach the strut to the LCA and slide all that in and get a nut on the K side of each so it doesn't go anywhere. wheel that whole mess up and attach it to the LCA/lower joint.

once that's all together i'll run back and snug everything up wrench tight and slide in the t-bars. then the shocks after (honestly, those can go on last).

that's the meat and potatoes.

i like to put on the caliper adapters (if you have them) last so that it's easier to get at everything and torque it. generally that's when i do the tie rods and sleeves.

then i'll do the splash shields when i do the brake calipers and rotors. don't forget the gasket between the shield and rotor.

the LCA pin nuts and strut rods get torqued when the car is off the jack stands and at ride height.

don't forget the cotter pins and to grease everything!

i think i covered everything?
Thanks for the response..!
 
I like the LCA and strut rods first. Then put on the UCA and spindles. That way you are not fighting the spindles while putting on LCA.

Yes tie rods last.

Yes torque upper and lower bushings when at ride height.
 
I like to put all that stuff on like JYH did but install the engine on the K including headers and then slider her in using the engine hoist in front after blocking the rear tires up….if you do not have lift.

Take your time. Don’t tighten up until weight off car is on it all.

No point in tightening until engine is in.

No point in installing K (in my opinion) without the engine.

$0.02
 
Make a jig to hold it all on wheels.

Install1.jpg


Install3.jpg
 
-
Back
Top