Problem after replacing control arms

Post by **chrism** » 21 Jul 2017, 14:39

If it pulls to the right, go to the LH control arm and double check that the mounting bolts-to-chassis are tight. If the bolts are tight take a good look at the bushings. If it pulls left then check right.

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 21 Jul 2017, 17:08

Could you have hastened the death of a motor mount whilst working on the car?
Sorry to "just guess" again.

Post by **precopster** » 21 Jul 2017, 17:53

Upper bolt holes on struts are elongated. Did you mark them and place them back to previous position? The camber adjustment is important.

I'd still get an alignment and let alignment place know of that camber adjustment point I mentioned.

You Tube has videos on a toe-in procedure.

Post by **tryingbe** » 21 Jul 2017, 18:13

Jack up the car and start shaking to look for loose parts.

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 21 Jul 2017, 18:17

No - that I missed. I will get it aligned once I make sure there is nothing wrong with the install. The sudden shift from driveable to "this thing is going 20 degrees left, from where I have it pointed" (and back), makes me think there is something I missed. After that scare, I drove the car home with gentle acceleration and didn't have a problem.......

Post by **tryingbe** » 21 Jul 2017, 18:52

If all you did was the control arms, you don't need an alignment, unless the old control arms were really bad.

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 21 Jul 2017, 21:03

that's what I'm guessing. The old bushings were bad but not gone, and the car tracked straight ahead with no pulling to either side, before I replaced the control arms. I thought maybe the ball joint bolt did not seat right into the control arm, but that's not it either. It feels like something shifts when I put on the power, and causes the jerk to the left. The rain stopped me from looking at the right side today but the left still looks like it should. The only thing that is an if is torque value on the rear bushing - I gave it a good pull with a breaker bar to tighten it down.

I may try getting both front wheels off the ground and watching the wheels while someone turns the steering wheel..

Post by **tryingbe** » 21 Jul 2017, 21:17

Did you torque down the bolts/nuts while the car weight was on the suspension?

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 21 Jul 2017, 21:26

The front bolts are horizontal and the rear mount bolt is vertical. The control arm has to be more or less horizontal to get it into place. Ever done one?

Post by **precopster** » 21 Jul 2017, 23:18

You don't"t need to put weight/preload on the control arm on a P2. Different setup to P80.

Problem after replacing control arms

Re: Problem after replacing control arms