Lower control arm line up

[kimmonia]

Hey everyone,

I need your help - I'm new to working on my own rig and learning a lot. I was hoping to make a simple install tonight and bolt on the rancho rear lower control arm skid plate. It uses the bolts from the lower control arm and the rear suspension mounts. I made the mistake of taking off the bolts for both driver and passenger lower control arms, then the rear axle moved back (or jeep moved forward?) - I thought I was safe because I had e-brake on but clearly I didn't think it through. Now the holes for the mount and the lower control arms are quite a bit off.

I'm in a tight space in my garage and currently have the rear tires off and the rear lifted on frame on jacks and the rear axle lowered and supported by jacks as well. This got the control arms closer to the bolt hole but not enough ... how do I get the holes to line up again?

I stopped because the angle of the drive shaft entering the rear diff seemed quite severe... need your expert advice.

Sponsored

 

[kimmonia]

Perhaps there is some other part I need to undo in order to allow more movement of the axel toward the front? Also, I wasn't sure which section to post this in but I guessed the guys and gals in this forum are familiar with working in this area...

 

[UKCATS]

Gonna need to rotate the axle forward. A ratchet strap, maybe hooked to the lower shock mount and on the frame, forward of the axle. Go slow and slide the jack stands holding the axle forward as you tighten the strap. Good luck, be careful. Good on you doing it yourself. This is how you learn.

 

[Jeepjunkie]

Can you use that floor jack placed under the housing by the pinion and jack the pinion side of the pumpkin up? That’s usually how I rotate an axle. Don’t place it on the pinion itself, but the housing close to it.

 

[kimmonia]

Good call guys, I’ll try both and report back

 

[UKCATS]

I would try Jeepjunkie’s method first. That will probably give you the movement you need.

 

[kimmonia]

Thanks @Jeepjunkie and @UKCATS - I had ratchet straps ready to go but didn’t need them as pushing up on the diff cover near the pinion rotated the axle and the Lower control arms holes lined up. I took it slow and safe lol - got the skids mounted and learned about axle geometry =)

Pinion angle looks normal now. I didn’t touch the upper control arms and didn’t swap the lower arms so I’m assuming the original angle is the same right?

 

[UKCATS]

Cool!

 

[melendez69]

I have a set of Rock Hard LCA skids on the way and don't want to run into this situation. I'll be removing one at a time, but is there something else I should do differently prior to install?

 

[kimmonia]

I have a set of Rock Hard LCA skids on the way and don't want to run into this situation. I'll be removing one at a time, but is there something else I should do differently prior to install?

Just doing one side at a time is all you probably need to keep the axle from rolling out on you. Also chock the wheels really well, I only did the E brake but it still moved. Good luck! My 20 min install turned into a few hours

 

[melendez69]

Just doing one side at a time is all you probably need to keep the axle from rolling out on you. Also chock the wheels really well, I only did the E brake but it still moved. Good luck! My 20 min install turned into a few hours

I've got about another 2 weeks until I get them. I'm glad you got it sorted.

 

[Jeepjunkie]

Pinion angle looks normal now. I didn’t touch the upper control arms and didn’t swap the lower arms so I’m assuming the original angle is the same right?

Your pinion will be back to stock.

 

[kimmonia]

Your pinion will be back to stock.

Thanks for the reassurance - now I have confidence for lifts and springs

Sponsored