Installing LCA's. DIY thread.
 

So as some of you may have seen, I picked up my control arms the other day. I had a chance to put them on this morning, but I only did the lowers. Ill be doing the upper once I get my suspension all taken care of. Anyways, this is a pretty simple job, and only requires basic hand tools.

Tools Needed:
18mm socket w/ ratchet or 18mm wrench.
Flathead screwdriver

Parts:
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...5/DSC_0162.jpg

First off, start by jacking up the car. I did this by placing the jack underneath the rear end center section. Make sure you dont bend the bottom of the cover! Once you have it high enough, I just placed the jack stands under each one of the axle tubes.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...5/DSC_0170.jpg

Once you have it off the ground and you have the wheels removed, grab your ratchet with an 18mm socket and climb underneath the car. There are only 2 bolts holding on the control arms. One is on the rear end, the other is on the body itself.
Frameside bracket:
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...5/DSC_0172.jpg

Rearend bracket:
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...5/DSC_0176.jpg

Now youll notice that the parking brake cables run right through the control arm itself. No need to worry. They are easy to remove. Start off by popping the cable off of the parking brake fork. I just used a flathead screwdriver to push it off. This is real easy to do.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...5/DSC_0195.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...5/DSC_0196.jpg
Once you have that done. Simply pop off the clip that holds the cable to bracket.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...5/DSC_0194.jpg

Once that is done, and you have removed both bolts holding the control arm in place, simply remove the control arm.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...5/DSC_0197.jpg

Once that is done, grab your new control arms. Make sure you fish the cable back through the control arm as it previously was. I started by placing the frameside end of the control arm in its bracket and putting the bolt through just making it hand tight for now.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...5/DSC_0178.jpg

Now, before you place the control arm in the rearend bracket, take a look at the bracket itself. You will notice there is a tab that is bent going across the rear of the bracket. On these particular control arms, you willl have to bend that tab back to keep it from gouging the control arm. You may not have to do this on your particular setup, but just keep an eye out for it.
Here it is before its bent:
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...DSC_0180-1.jpg


Here it is after I bent it straight back (might be kind of hard to see):
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...DSC_0181-1.jpg


Once that is done, slide the other end of the control arm up into place and slide the bolt in.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...5/DSC_0183.jpg

Once that is done, just make sure you have everything nice and tight. Repeat these steps for the other side and youre all set.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...5/DSC_0188.jpg

You can still kind of see it even with the wheel on too.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...5/DSC_0201.jpg

Anyways, like I said, it is pretty straightforward. I havent had a chance to fully test them out yet, but once I do, I will definitely let you all know. :D

RE: Installing LCA's. DIY thread.
 

Nice write up! Great job!

RE: Installing LCA's. DIY thread.
 

Thanks....awesome write up. I am getting ready to do the install myself...just waiting to see what type lca's I will get....prob BMR....now did you have to bend the tab just so you did not scratch the lca (aesthetic) or was there a mechanical reason behind that....I just copied your write up to a word doc and now i can order my LCA......looks great...

RE: Installing LCA's. DIY thread.
 

The bend in the bracket will limit the Johnny Joint from working properly. Some arms dont need to have that piece bent. If youre interested in a set of these arms...let me know.[8D]

RE: Installing LCA's. DIY thread.
 

I see the grease zerts and are they poly/poly or poly/rod ends? I am interested but want your take on how they feel and act on the road. I would torque the bolt to spec and if it will not hold spec get new hardware. Ford does say they are one time use hardware and should be replaced if they will not torque to the proper 129 ft/lbs! JMO better safe than sorry. I am not saying that it cannot be reused but sometimes they wont hold the torque spec after they were removed! J

RE: Installing LCA's. DIY thread.
 

Just did my CHE's yesterday, pretty easy once I figured out how to fit my fat head between the jack Stand and the wheel to get my fat hands up in there to release the Ebrake cable.

Took me two hours with hand tools in the garage.

RE: Installing LCA's. DIY thread.
 

I, personally, would change just one thing.....

Remove the the retainer clip from the brake cable first, then remove the cable end. No screwdirver required. ;)

RE: Installing LCA's. DIY thread.
 

Awesome write up!!!!! Great looking set of LCA's too!

RE: Installing LCA's. DIY thread.
 

just checking as to if anyone remembered this
https://mustangforums.com/m_4370038/...tm.htm#4370038

RE: Installing LCA's. DIY thread.
 

^Damn..i didnt even see that one. lol