Loosen Upper Control Arms when Lifting?

[jmcdtucson]

I've read that it's good practice to loosen the front and rear Lower control arms when installing any lift. Do the upper control arms also need to be loosened and retorqued on the ground?
I'm about to install Rubi takeoff springs and shocks as well as 3/4" daystar spacers on my Sport for a lift of about 2" and want to do it right.

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[Tumbleweed]

Best practice is to loosen both the upper and lower control arms and rock the vehicle back and forth to assist settling. Make sure this is done with the jeep on the ground and not on jacks or a lift

 

[RubenZ]

I think these are just bs instructions. The vehicles Control arms are constantly moving especially when flexing. So why wouldn't they re-flex on their own when lifting etc.

 

[Tumbleweed]

I think these are just bs instructions. The vehicles Control arms are constantly moving especially when flexing. So why wouldn't they re-flex on their own when lifting etc.

I think the issue is it causes stress to the bushings when the control arms are tighten while the vehicles on a lift as the suspension is hanging down much lower than it would in any other situation but dont hold me to it, thats what i heard on the JK forum when i put a lift on and figure it wouldnt hurt to loosen and retorque.

 

[Token]

I think these are just bs instructions. The vehicles Control arms are constantly moving especially when flexing. So why wouldn't they re-flex on their own when lifting etc.

When installing a lift, you're flexing the suspension farther than it normally would. That's why your springs don't fall out when you're off-road. When you loosen the bolts on the control arms it allows them to go further than they normally would without tearing the rubber bushings in them.

Putting the vehicle back on the ground puts the arms back into a neutral position, where there is no stress on those rubber bushings.

Allowing them to flex upwards and downwards the most they can without harming the aforementioned bushings.

If you tighten the control arms with the suspension at full droop, you'd be twisting the rubber bushings when you put the vehicle's weight back in the wheels, and would have very little "up travel" before damaging the bushings.

 

[RubenZ]

When installing a lift, you're flexing the suspension farther than it normally would. That's why your springs don't fall out when you're off-road. When you loosen the bolts on the control arms it allows them to go further than they normally would without tearing the rubber bushings in them.

Putting the vehicle back on the ground puts the arms back into a neutral position, where there is no stress on those rubber bushings.

Allowing them to flex upwards and downwards the most they can without harming the aforementioned bushings.

If you tighten the control arms with the suspension at full droop, you'd be twisting the rubber bushings when you put the vehicle's weight back in the wheels, and would have very little "up travel" before damaging the bushings.

So what your saying is I need to tell my wife "I need new control arms" ?

 

[Token]

So what your saying is I need to tell my wife "I need new control arms" ?

Not just new control arms. New control arms with heim joints.

Oh, and a new front driveshaft because the stock one will hit with the increased flex.

 

[RubenZ]

Not just new control arms. New control arms with heim joints.

Oh, and a new front driveshaft because the stock one will hit with the increased flex.

I'm 1/4 the way covered LOL. Need rears and Uppers.

 

[jmcdtucson]

I think the issue is it causes stress to the bushings when the control arms are tighten while the vehicles on a lift as the suspension is hanging down much lower than it would in any other situation but dont hold me to it, thats what i heard on the JK forum when i put a lift on and figure it wouldnt hurt to loosen and retorque.

So if I never loosen the bolts, this won't happen.
The lift might move the bushing ever so slightly off the neutral position by moving the axle in relation to the frame, but probably not enough to cause an issue.

I'm replacing the front LCA anyway. I was considering saving time by just leaving the others tightened as is. Probably OCD will drive me to loosen/retighten all of them.

 

[Token]

So if I never loosen the bolts, this won't happen.
The lift might move the bushing ever so slightly off the neutral position by moving the axle in relation to the frame, but probably not enough to cause an issue.

I'm replacing the front LCA anyway. I was considering saving time by just leaving the others tightened as is. Probably OCD will drive me to loosen/retighten all of them.

No, never loosening the bolts would mean the rubber bushings would remain under tension, even with the vehicle sitting still. Greatly increasing wear.

 

[OnlyOne]

I've read that it's good practice to loosen the front and rear Lower control arms when installing any lift. Do the upper control arms also need to be loosened and retorqued on the ground?
I'm about to install Rubi takeoff springs and shocks as well as 3/4" daystar spacers on my Sport for a lift of about 2" and want to do it right.

I have yet to ever do this. Not saying it’s right, or wrong but I don’t personally think it’s needed unless you’re replacing them.

 

[word302]

I have yet to ever do this. Not saying it’s right, or wrong but I don’t personally think it’s needed unless you’re replacing them.

It's definitely a best practice. Your bushings will be torqued sitting on flat ground. They will wear out much faster.

 

[rustyshakelford]

We don’t mess with loosening them unless we’re replacing them. Most folks don’t have the correct tools to get them torqued to mopar specs.

Brett

 

[word302]

We don’t mess with loosening them unless we’re replacing them. Most folks don’t have the correct tools to get them torqued to mopar specs.

Brett

You mean because of the degrees passed torque? It's not that hard to get close by eye.

 

[OnlyOne]

It's definitely a best practice. Your bushings will be torqued sitting on flat ground. They will wear out much faster.

Only time I have ever done it is when I replaced them with my Synergy Kit on my JK. Since the TJ and all these years in between I never have or had any problems. Never had any wear issues. For his specific case it’s not needed. But it’s not going to hurt to do so. Other than getting them torqued. Lol

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