FFR MKIV Upper Control Arm Question

[bhuff]

This weekend, I was trying to install the FFR upper control arms on my MKIV build, and a couple of questions came up.
1. What is the torque spec for the nut that holds the bushing/link on the mounting base? I didn't see a number listed anywhere, but it seems critical since too little could pose a safety hazard and too much could induce bind and crush the bushing.
2. You see how the inside link has a bend where it meets the bushing? Which way should the bend point with SN95 spindles? You can see in the picture below, the bend is pointing downward right now. As delivered, the links point the opposite direction on the other side, which I am sure isn't correct too. If someone knew, it would save some time instead of using trial and error when I am ready to install the spindle adapter.

[Michael Everson]

I have never noticed that bend before. You might want to research that and see if its suppposed to be that way. Looks kinda funky to me. Either way I would make them the same. You shouldnt have to tourque the end nuts. They are set from the manufacturer. If you take them apart i would just tighten until you feel some resistance on the pivot and all the wiggle is gone.
Mike

[bhuff]

Interesting to hear the torque is set by the manufacturer. All of the nuts on mine were loose when I received them.

I think the bend must be a new feature on the MKIV? The manual and all the prior pictures I have seen show a streight attachment point. The manual wasn't much help either.

Thanks,

[bhuff]

Any additional information or experience with these topics?

[306rangerfordguy]

Mine looked nothing like that. Maybe give Factory Five a call?

[CraigS]

The bend in the pivot doesn't matter from a design point of view. Only the position of the pivot matters. OTOH, these are apparantly the latest version of UCAs from FFR as their have been a few similiar questions recently. If it were mine I would prefer to have the bend oriented the same on both sides but am not sure that taking one of the UCAs apart to flip them over is worth it.

[bhuff]

I gave factory five a call on these questions to clear things up:

The torque on the nut holding the bushing on should end up around 15-18 ft*lbs. This value is based on preventing bind on the bushing, and is a likely range of values rather than a set spec, so your results may be different. The important point is to avoid binding of the bushing. My reservation was about going with a torque value that low on such a large nut holding the arms together, but they assured me it would be fine.

The bend should be such that the grease fitting is up on both side. This makes the bend point downward.

Hopefully the information will help someone else out during their build. In my searching, I didn't see this information answered in other threads.