Hogger

So I just changed my upper and lower control arm bushings. To change the lowers I had to remove the sway bar bushing attachments(sorry, not sure their specific name) to get the bushing bolt out.

So now that it's all back together the front sits really high. I used to have about a 2-3 finger gap, now it's an easy 4. I wonder if it's the way I put the sway bar bushing housing things back on, it was a real pain.

It's going in for an alignment in the morning, so I'll have them check it out, but I was just wondering if anyone else has seen this, or know the cause.

Ausmbtech

You need to make sure you tighten the bolts for the control arms with the weight of the vehicle on the wheels rather than on a hoist/jack stands. This will give you the correct ride height as well as preventing premature failure of the bushes.

Hogger

That makes sense. I'll get it fixed before I take it in this morning.

carbonfiberwhor

Good to know! Im tackling this job next weekend

Glyn M Ruck

+100000000000000000000

We mention this time & time again on the forum. See splinter's suspension thread.

Hogger

That didn't work.
I tried before I took it in, and the dealership tried, and got it a little lower, but not within spec.
It's close to what it was, probably within about 1/2-3/4 of an inch. But it looks like a foot to me.

Can't figure out what's causing it. Unless my bushings were so shot that maybe this is the correct ride height. Doesn't make sense to me, and they said it's not in spec.

Glyn M Ruck

What year is your car? Early US cars rode higher in the nose. Have you fitted the fluted bolts? If so are they inserted in the correct position in the camber bushes. You don't suddenly have a heap of positive camber do you? If fluted bolts are fitted are you absolutely sure that bushes were pressed into the control arms in exactly the orientation they came out. Remember the bush centers are slotted. You did not unload the springs so it can't be that.

Hogger

Mine is a 2003 Sport sedan. I put the new fluted bolts in, but the dealer called to get approval to make adjustments and told me they need to re-set the bolts because they were in the wrong position. It eventually turned out that they had to put one of the old bolts(non fluted) back in, to get the front end within spec.
The bushings were pressed in by a local shop. I had each one marked, and they are all just about perfect. Maybe 1 or 2 off by a mm or 2.

Thanks.

Glyn M Ruck

So now it's correct?

Hogger

Everything except the ride height. The service guys were a little stumped too, but they told me it wasn't going to have any affect on wear or drivability.

EDIT: Will the bushings and front end settle? I just went out to look at it again, and it almost looks a little lower. Maybe I'm going crazy over this and seeing things now.

Glyn M Ruck

Is the wheel alignment in spec - castor, camber & toe? If it is there is not much you can do.

Hogger

Ya, all the wheel alignment specs are right on.
I guess I'll just have to live with it, and keep working on the wife for some H&R's.

Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.

Jordan.

carbonfiberwhor

It sounds to me like the bushings were completely shot from what youre describing. Mine are as well and I know for a fact that my car is lower in the front than it was from stock height.

Glad it went well and dont worry, they'll settle in

Hogger

Thanks, that does make me feel better.
It's nice to know when someone else has had the same experience.

Glyn M Ruck

Your springs are the main thing that settle & they did that long ago. If she's in spec on wheel alignment just drive her. You might see slight bush settling.