[Ed Reynolds]

Well, the long awaited tubular lower control arms have arrived, but I seem to have run into a prolem on installation. First, I am assuming that both the upper and lower control arms are interchangeable left to right. Please, correct me if I'm wrong!
Now, with the control arms in place, and the spindle on the lower ball joint, the upper ball joint doesn't seem to line up correctly with the hole in the IFS bracket. If I adjust the upper arm to get the upper ball joint over the hole, the spindle binds and won't turn. If I turn the spindle, while looking down from above, the upper ball joint hole descibes an arc, rather than being stationary with the spindle pivoting around it. (I hope I am describing this understandably!) Any ideas? I'm stumped on this one. Thanks in advance.

Ed Reynolds
FFR3619

 

[forrest1]

The tubular lower control are NOT interchangeable side-to-side if I recall correctly (it's been a while), I seem to recall the supplemental instructions saying how to tell which was which.

Is your car on jackstands with the suspension hanging at full extension?
When the car is unloaded, with the arms hanging, the ball joints are at a very awkward angle and their grease boots will go askew. Also it will bind on steering lock to lock, as spindle rotation forces one side or the other into a little compression. All this sorts out at ride height.

HTH

Forrest

 

[Ed Reynolds]

I had the lower arm propped up, rather than at full extension. The directions do not say anything about left or right, and they look the same to me. Will the upper and lower arms be parralel when installed? Thanks again

Ed Reynolds
FFR3619

 

[choice40]

Ed,
I am the proud owner of chassis 3614. When I received my kit I was short the lower tubular arms, I was in such a rush for them I took them a week ago less the powder coating. Then I decided to change to the 94/95 front spindles which changes the non painted IFS bracket supplied by FFR. When I returned the IFS bracket backet to FFR in turned out I had the correct one for 94/95 spindles I am just wondering if you are using 87/93 spindles FFR shipped you the wrong IFS bracket?
Maybe Call them in the moring
anyway good luck with your build I am having a blast so far
Let me know how you make out
Tom

 

[Ed Reynolds]

I was thinking about that. How can you tell the difference between the IFS brackets?

Ed Reynolds
FFR3619

 

[choice40]

I am told the are shorter
Call FFR and ask for Joe
Let me know
email [email protected]

 

[pacemaker]

Ed,
The spindle brackets for the 94 & up spindles are longer. They measure 6" long.

As far as the upper front control arms, there IS a left and a right. Looking from above the arm (with the grease fitting UP and the ball joint forming the apex of the letter A), the A arm has a front and rear arm plus a third arm against the frame. The front arm has a weld beside the ball joint. The rear arm has a bolt next to the ball joint. Bolt arms have bolts on the frame side of the arm.

I wish I had pics, but there are drawings in the manual...
Team MayDay

 

[David Borden]

Purdy sure the "NEW" upper and lower control arms are the same left and right.

You still have to install them with the ball joint angle correct.

David

 

[forrest1]

I must have the "old" lower control arms (and they are pin-drive, to boot), but my directions say "...the shock mounts are on the underside of the arm and the shock mount is offset toward the front of the arm."

Forrest

 

[choice40]

Ed,
Its not the control arm, it is the IFS bracket that is different

 

[Ed Reynolds]

Well, I think I have it figured out. I talked to Dave Rhia at FFR yesterday, and played with the suspension las night. After growing up around cars, I still didn't have a good idea of how ball joints worked, I assumed they would pivot with the knuckle, but I thought they would stay vertical, one above the other. With the ball joints inserted in the spindle, it rotates OK, I just didn't realize that the ball joint would be at an angle when inserted into the IFS braket. Thanks for all the help!

Ed Reynolds