Lower Control Arm and Tein tie rod install conclusion

[lazyfcker]

Well today my friend and i started off with the tie rods and tie rod ends first, after some confusion they went on,(we had to move my steering wheel around in order to get the back off the braket.) then onto the control arms...that was a difficult task like most people where saying. Our way of getting the control arms off at the ball joint was to disconnect the brake line and lay the brake on a 2x4 or a piece of carboard then take something to place on the bolt and use a hammer to hit the F*ck out of the top untill it pops loose and comes out. Then to install again we started putting all bolts on both sides, and then tightened both sides. When all done i picked up and drove around the block....didnt hear any unusual noices of now, and some noises went away. My allignment now is actually off but better than it was before. When the mechanic told me that my ball joints were gone he wasnt lieing...they were near nothing. My steering is a bit stiffer...meaing less play before the wheel turns. Here are some pics i took...not much but i was to busy getting the job done......any questions just ask! Thanks, Ben

ps: remember i was looking for an install guide for the control arms, well pdm-racing.com has an nice install walk-through for that job!

[lazyfcker]

This picture shows how bad the ball joints were out on my car

[ramrat]

Lazyfcker

what did you torque the nut to the ball joint to?

2. Lubricate the control arm ball joint with anti-sieze and thread the nut on by hand.>> Torque down nut with 22mm socket<<

[lazyfcker]

to tell the truth, i never used a tourque wrench, just used in my head how much tourque was used, prettymuch comon since, i've used a tourque wrench before, so i remembered just how much power to use. and i lubricated all threads that i was told to lubricate with anti-sieze.

[Chingon]

you remembered how much power to use??? Damn, got to get me a hand like yours!

[lazyfcker]

well its not perfect but im sure i tourqued it down pretty good being that i had an extra leverage socket at hand allowing me not to strain as much......here is the install...they really dont say how much to tourque on all bolts http://www.pdm-racing.com/inst....html

[Neejay]

You've installed both the control arms and the tie rods right? I think Im gonna do like you and just order a new oem control arm with the bushings and joints already in.

I think Im gonna get the tein tie rods too.

So whats your driving impression so far?

[ETTInnov04]

what are the advantages to the tein tie rods over stock replacements? Is it an adjustment thing or do they actually work/feel/respond better?
Modified by ETTInnov04 at 3:03 PM 3/31/2005

[2Fass240us]

You've installed both the control arms and the tie rods right? I think Im gonna do like you and just order a new oem control arm with the bushings and joints already in.

I didn't have too hard of a time installing the FLCA balljoints (I have access to a large press), but the bushings were a genuine PITA. I bought some Whitelines, and they were difficult to get in because the FLCA bends when you put too much force on it. Once I got the outer sleeves in, the urethane bushing and inner sleeve were relatively easy.

[Neejay]

I didn't have too hard of a time installing the FLCA balljoints (I have access to a large press), but the bushings were a genuine PITA. I bought some Whitelines, and they were difficult to get in because the FLCA bends when you put too much force on it. Once I got the outer sleeves in, the urethane bushing and inner sleeve were relatively easy.

Yeah, I dont have access to a press, so I'd have to pay for labor. Not worth it.

[lazyfcker]

i still need an allignment done, but because im not done with the front end of my car yet im not going to go waste $50 for nothing, my allignment isnt to bad, but as for what i can tell so far, with the tie rods i have a lot better steering response.

[onosqv]

what are the advantages to the tein tie rods over stock replacements? Is it an adjustment thing or do they actually work/feel/respond better?

Modified by ETTInnov04 at 3:03 PM 3/31/2005

Allows for deeper/greater steering angle. Used at your discretion...

[dfw240_EE]

It's been a few months, how are the new Tein tie rods? I need new rods and I am really thinking about the Teins.

[Red coupe]

but the bushings were a genuine PITA. I bought some Whitelines, and they were difficult to get in because the FLCA bends when you put too much force on it.

The press I was using had bunch of steel cylinders and plates so we found a few that would fit snug into the control arm to brace it while we pressed. Helped alot.