Upper Control Arms

Bushings were bad in the upper control arms (front) Bought new ones but got adjustable this time. I tried to set them as close to the same length and the ones that came out, BUT the bolt holes did not line up. I am assuming the axle shifted some when they were taken loose? I only did one at a time. I just adjusted them to fit and they both seem the same length ( I will check when it is light out again) How big a deal is this. I strapped the axles trying to move it back but did not have any luck. I am hoping that I am worried about nothing...

Any advise appreciated.

they should be the same length. try hooking up the side that seems to be to short first the put a jack under the lower control arm on the opposite side and jack it up till the holes line up. But on the other hand yours could be off because problems you had with you lower brackets. you might want to get it aligned. or just put it together and if it drives funny change it up till it works. just my two cents

i think its your caster that you need to set to the ball joints are plumb so you dont get the death wobble. Bill would know a little more about this. matching the length of the old ones it a good base to start with and work for there. As far as lining up the holes use a jack, straps and a big pry bar to line them up and make sure all your bolts are tight when done. Losing a control arm on the road isnt fun.

They should be the same length. Keep the body of the vehicle jacked up and use some elbow grease to get the holes to line up. If they aren't the same length it may drive just fine but have a slight misalignment and cause other issues like impromper tire wear or may misbehave on a bump in the road. If it were me I'd make them equal.

So what I am hearing is that as long as they are the same length it should be fine? I will double check them to make sure.

I already had new lower brackets welded on so that should be fixed, last things needed are the locker fixed, track bar replaced and an alignment.

hope to be done for next weekend.

They should definitely be the same length on both sides.. The alignment guy will have fun getting a caster setting if they are not.. OH YEAH.. thats me.... If the originals were equal and the new ones are not then the pinion angle will be off.. Right???

I will get it checked out when you bring it in.. Did you replace the track bar also??

I assume this is why you called my cell? Sorry, the message just rang through last night.. NEXTEL for you...

Call me..we will get you ready to run the rock garden again and break something else... Thats what we are here for....

might also wan't to go back and make sure you lowers are the same lenght also. If the brackets were not welded on just right it will throw it off. but since everything is adjustable, you can make up for it.

His lowers are after market and are fairly new.. They were tight. The upper bushings had play.

Still waiting for the track bar to come in, Paul is going to help me with the locker next week after work so i maybe late in the week before I get it up there for the alignment. Taking it home last time was a challange I had to unlock the rear hubs and go with 4 wheel front wheel drive to get home, the locker would not even spin the tires. i took it apart and the gears and shafts look good but it will not be moving until the new locker is in place.

Matt the valve stem on the spare is torn (thats what I was calling about) can you fix that too when I bring it in?

Just remind me when you bring it in..

Paul just help ( and by helped I mean did it) install my lock rite so now I am just waiting on the RE track bar to come in and I will be ready for Sat and Sun.

Thanks Paul and Matt, I would not be this close to done with out you.