I am getting ready to install my lower control arms, I read some where that the bolts are 1 time use bolts and need to be replaced, is everyone replacing the bolts and if so where areyou getting the new ones?

 

Hi smythge,

Gee, talk about opening up a can of liability-worms. So with all due disclaimers that would cover my butt should something happen (remember, you didn't hear this from me, you don't know me, I don't know who had my computer at this hour of the night, I was in Reno with the flu and a midget names Cherise...), let me say this.

1. I've talked with several Ford mechanics and parts-guys (in Illinois, Wisconsin, as well as over the phone in other states), and all have said they would likely NOT replace many of the alleged 1-time-use bolts, if they were doing service on the car. All have said they don't really know why Ford makes this claim. Their contention was that these are not torque-to-yield bolts like you might see with cylinder head bolts. All have said they suspect it is due to the thread-lock that the bolts have on them. So all have said to simply put thread lock on and go.

2. I know that someone on this Forum (I forget who, sorry) once did some tests with a bunch of the "new" Ford bolts and found that they held their torque through a range of uses (some 2, some 4, etc.). I also seem to recall that person's recommendation was to cap it at 3 uses and then get new bolts. Not surprisingly, one of the Ford mechanics I spoke to said that if you were regularly taking the bolts on and off (say, the brake caliper bolts, doing several pad swaps a season), then you should get new ones afer a few uses.

The bottom line (at least to me) seems to be that if you are only doing this once, use Blue thread lock and if the bolt takes its torque to spec then you should be fine.

BTW, if you do want to get the bolts, your local Ford dealership will either have them (or not...despite the fact that they may have to do such work...hmmm) or they can source them in a few days. I found this to be the case with brake bolts.

Best,
-j

 

^^+1. A lot of members here say to replace them, and maybe some parts manuals. I run lakewood bars on my rear end and they say to re-use the factory bolts. i've beaten the crap out of them and with some blue-loctite and two big-*** wrenches, I haven't seen them move...except when I adjusted them for the ride height and pinion angle of course.

EDIT* P.S. You know you're bolts are fine when the bushings go first and the bolts keep going for another 2000mi w/ a blown bushings. Same bolts, still on there. used them autocrossing a couple months ago. The chasis lives up to being built ford tough.

 

According to ford the bolts are a torque to yield bolt which would require replacement but we do have customers that reuse the bolts and they do hold their torque.

 

What I don't understand is if they are one time use bolts, I heard BMR states (maybe im wrong) you need to loosen the bolts to re-grease them..

So are you supposed to loosen the bolts every 30k miles or so and regrease the the control arms and replace the bolts? that sounds like a lot of work, unless ofcourse you can grease them without loosening them...

 

You do not haveto loosen the lower control arms to grease them. Thegrease fitting is located on the bottom and the bushings have grooves made into them to let the grease pass through.

 

I replaced the lower bolts after the 2nd use. Used OE's when I installed LCA's, but new bolts when I added the relocation brackets. Call me paranoid, lol.

 

^ nice sig, stoenr