I'm installing rear lower control arms on my 94 GT and I'm having a hard time getting the control arm bolt hole to line up with the axle hole. I have the rear shock and the axle dampener unbolted and disconnected. I have one bolt holding the front control arm, but it is not tightened. As you can see in the pics the control arm bushing is almost in, I can't get it in any further for the holes to line up. I jack up the control arm and still can't get the arm bolt holes to line up. If I jack up the axle the control arm moves further away from the bolt hole. Seems like the axle needs to be pushed in a little so the holes will line up, but I tried a little push and kicking, it didn't do nothing. I used my soft hammer trying to tap it in, and it didn't work.

I'm stuck, How do I get these control arms in? Do I have to remove the upper control arms to get the lowers in? Any tips or suggestions?


The hole is almost lined up, I can't get it in any further

 

Try jack up under the pinion flange to bring the angle of the rear up. you can also try putting a block or jack stand under there and then lower the rear down onto it to get it to rotate up. lubing up the bushing ends so it will slide in more easily shuold help as well.

 

I had the same problem doing my springs. What happened is when you unbolted the lowers there was no more support to hold your pinion angle. Your axle rotated and the driveshaft caught it. Put a jack under the pinion for support (I used two jacks, one for the control arm and one to hold/adjust the pinion).

 

Its called brute force brosky thats how I did mine. I had my buddy hold on to the exhaust and push the axle housing towards the front of the car. Theyre abitch sometimes

 

I finally got the bolt in. What a pina!!! I removed the upper control arm bolt to the axle, and lower the rearend a little bit and a miracle the bolt holes lined up.

My next question when I torque the control arm bolts do I compress the suspension with the jack and torque the bolts? Or do I torque the bolts without compressing the suspension?

 

yes compress it

 

Thanks..Now I just have to do the right side and I'm done!

 

Finally I got both control arms in. Now for the sway bar, does it get bolted inside or outside of the control arm? I tried getting it from the inside but the sway bar won't fit underneath. It does bolt on the outside, not sure if that is correct. Here is what my sway bar looks like bolted to the control arm..I'm wondering maybe for the BBK control arms, the sway bar is supposed to be bolted on the outside of the control arm, instead of inside..Anyone here using the BBK Gripp lower rear control arms?

 

Good advice and a good practice but with polyurethane bushings, it doesn't matter.