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Front end lifted after installing control arm
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 2:24 pm
by Mckinney
Hello I'm brand new to the forums.
So yesterday I replaced the control arm and tie rod end on the passenger side and now it seems the front end is lifted and the tire points inward horizontally, it tilted before but was the reason I repliit, anyways I have not yet gotten a alignment, doing that monday, but any help would be great, it's the best car ever besides that.
Re: Front end lifted after installing control arm
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 3:13 pm
by J Wikoff
Adjust the length of the tierod by backing the jam nut off and spinning the rod till the wheel is staight-ish then tighten the nut. Then it'll be be drivable at least.
Re: Front end lifted after installing control arm
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 3:14 pm
by Mckinney
I have pics ,just can't figure out how to upload
Re: Front end lifted after installing control arm
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 3:17 pm
by Mckinney
I have pics ,just can't figure out how to upload, I ment to say it was tilted in vertically, the alignment seems ok just feels off and the front end being liked 4 inches on that side
Re: Front end lifted after installing control arm
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 3:24 pm
by maxi426
If the front end actually seems higher after replacing the control arm, try loosening the control arm to cradle bolts, and then retightening the bolts with the weight of the car on the wheels
Re: Front end lifted after installing control arm
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 4:17 pm
by J Wikoff
Was the knuckle loosened or removed from the bottom of the strut? One of the two holes for the bolts may be slotted, depending on the brand of strut. If so, loosen them and use a pry bar or something to tilt things how they should be.
The height may just be that the springs need to settle after having all the load removed. Move the car up and down the driveway and see what happens to the height.
Re: Front end lifted after installing control arm
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 5:54 pm
by Mckinney
I'll try loosing the strut, but I drove it 40 miles and still lifted,
Re: Front end lifted after installing control arm
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2016 4:22 pm
by 2003 SSEi
Instead of messing with the steering, as already mentioned the proper way to reinstall a control arm is to not fully tighten the bolts until the full weight of the vehicle is on the front suspension, then tighten the control arm bolts.
you probably tightened everything before the weight of the vehicle was on the ground causing the increased height