Should I loosen and re-torque control arms after lift?

[97' 4 Popper]

Is it necessary to loosen and retorque control arms after doing a lift? How many members did or did not follow this procedure and what was the result?

This is more of a question for smaller lifts with stock style fixed length with rubber bushings. As the larger lifts usually have adjustable control arms that are reset during the process anyways. The idea is it reduces wear on the bushings?



Here is some info related to my particular situation:

I have a slight pull to right after doing a 3.5 inch front lift and 2.25 rear, toe in is already set to 1/8th inch, control arms are stock. Jeep was pulling to one side before lift also, but the Jeep had a 2 and 2.25 inch lift and was setup poorly. Could this be the result of control arms not being retorqued?

I wanted to do a poll but I guess that's not an option anymore.

 

[Mike_H]

I was experiencing some weird handling characteristics after my 2" lift with factory arms. Mine is a rust belt jeep, so I wanted to avoid loosening the control arm bolts, since I knew what would be in store for me. After the first test drive, I knew I was going to have to tackle that job, so I went ahead and loosened what I could, cut and replaced those that I couldn't. After getting them all reset to neutral, the handling was restored to normal.

In short, I would highly recommend you go through the exercise.

 

[Vtx531]

Yes, necessary. Often overlooked but this is really a fundamental part of doing suspension work. With a change in ride height, any bushing bolt needs to be retorqued with the entire weight of the vehicle resting on the suspension.

 

[Mike_H]

Yes, necessary. Often overlooked but this is really a fundamental part of doing suspension work. With a change in ride height, any bushing bolt needs to be retorqued with the entire weight of the vehicle resting on the suspension.

Bonded Bushings, Anyway. Something like a Johnny Joint will rotate and find a new home position.

 

[LJBean]

Also a recommended procedure if you develop death wobble with stock control arms.

 

[Mike_H]

Also a recommended procedure if you develop death wobble with stock control arms.

That is a WHOLE 'nother topic. Probably worth starting a new thread or reviewing the multitude of threads out there.

 

[Blackjack]

Bonded Bushings, Anyway. Something like a Johnny Joint will rotate and find a new home position.

Bonded bushings for sure and that includes the track bars. And while it is not necessary with joints like the JJ I just out of habit do not torque any suspension fastener until I have the Jeep on the ground and bounce it a few times to get it settled in.

 

[jjvw]

Also a recommended procedure if you develop death wobble with stock control arms.

That's a new one for me.

 

[jjvw]

Yes, necessary. Often overlooked but this is really a fundamental part of doing suspension work. With a change in ride height, any bushing bolt needs to be retorqued with the entire weight of the vehicle resting on the suspension.

Any bonded bushing. Split bushings don't care.

 

[97' 4 Popper]

Thank you guys for the replies! It makes a big difference for those who are wondering and will come across this. That is a good point about the track bars too. In my case I got new track bars and torqued them at ride height so I'm all good on that. I will update my findings when the control arms are loosened and retorqued.

 

[LJBean]

That's a new one for me.

OK, maybe I should say "recommended by me". Add it to the 2562 potential solutions to death wobble.

 

[97' 4 Popper]

Loosening and retorquing all 8 control arms did not effect anything or solve my handling issue- still have a pull to the right.

Nothing else to see here. I like to go back to threads I made and conclude them if possible.