When to tighten a LCA pin?

[bbscamp]

Back to LCAs pivot pins in a stock A-body T bar set up:

Case 1:  Lets say the suspension is hanging loose at full extension (car on a frame lift) and you tighten the LCA pin.  When the car is on the ground with the full suspension compressed, the LCA bushings are taking up the full distortion (twist) in one direction.  For laughs, lets say 10 degrees.

Case 2:  If you allow the car to sit on the wheels in a neutral positon., Then loosen, then tighten the LCA pin at the frame, the pin bushing will be a ZERO deflection.  There for when the suspension is loaded, then unloaded....the rubber will deflect  +5 degrees, then -5 degrees.

I would say that in case 2, torsional deflection of  +/- 5 degrees is less wearing on the bushing  - - rather than +10/-0 degrees in case 1.  Agree??  What are the bushings designed to handle??

[MVRCorp]

 
I'm no expert but common sense makes me tend to agree. Bill might be able to shed some light on this.

[68S]

Here is a short quote from my 1971 factory service manual;

“Lower vehicle to floor, adjust front suspension heights and tighten strut nut, at crossmember 52 foot-pounds, 45 foot-pounds (Dart) and install strut pin. Tighten shock absorber nut to 50 foot-pounds.

Tighten lower control arm shaft nut 145 foot-pounds (190 foot-pounds Polara-Monaco) and tighten shock absorber lower bushings to 50 foot-pounds.

Measure and adjust front wheel alignment as necessary”
Hope this was helpful,

Pat

[68_Val_Sedan]

Here is a short quote from my 1971 factory service manual;

“Lower vehicle to floor, adjust front suspension heights and tighten strut nut, at crossmember 52 foot-pounds, 45 foot-pounds (Dart) and install strut pin. Tighten shock absorber nut to 50 foot-pounds.

Tighten lower control arm shaft nut 145 foot-pounds (190 foot-pounds Polara-Monaco) and tighten shock absorber lower bushings to 50 foot-pounds.

Measure and adjust front wheel alignment as necessary”
Hope this was helpful,

Pat

I agree ... i always put it all together but do not tighten the nut on the LCA pivot untiil it is on the ground and set to the proper ride height.

[Jim_Lusk]

Yes, you are correct. Set ride height first.

[PureGTS]

Finish tightening the "pin" when the body weight is on the suspension, you're right as far as the distortin in he bushing.