Front Lower Control Arm Pre-Load

[03snkvert]

I put a set of H&R Race springs in my car Saturday, and the instructions say to loosen the front lower control arm to prevent it from binding. It also says to have car on drive on lift to Torque the Control arm bolts to 148-lb ft.

My question is this- I don't have a drive on lift, and the car is obviously going to set to low to just lay on the ground to torque them, so what has everyone else done.

I could get a set of ramps, but I don't want to buy 4 of them.

This is what Eibach has on their site:
Pre-load the suspension before tightening suspension pivot bolts. When installing the Eibach springs it is important to preload the suspension before tightening all suspension pivot point bolts. This can be easily done with the full weight of the vehicle on its tires on an alignment rack, or if the car is on a lift or jack stands by using a jack to lift each suspension corner to then tighten all the pivot bolts at each corner. Proper suspension preload will ensure a more consistent lowering and also help the pivot suspension bushings last longer.

Could use any advice or tricks.

Thanks
Corey

 

[03snkvert]

These would be perfect, just a little pricey:

http://www.amazon.com/Race-Ramps-RR-WC-12-Wheel-Crib/dp/B003ZAEUE4/ref=pd_rhf_cr_s_cp_3_BDHX?ie=UTF8&refRID=0HXFC6DG5S1WH9HZRRNF

 

[ashleyroachclip]

It said you can Jack each corner to load the suspension.
So put the car on Jack stands, place a Jack under the control arm and raise it until the car starts to move off the stand on the corner you are working on .

 

[03snkvert]

I think I am going to go with the tip from Eibach, but this what Maximum Motorsports says about it:

Note for customers using stock rubber front control
arm bushings
When rubber control arm bushings are still in use,
the car must be at the new lower ride height when
tightening the control arm pivot bolts. If the car is
placed on ramps for ease of access, be sure that all
4 wheels are up on ramps of equal height. The best
method is to have the car on a drive-on lift such as
those found at a muffler shop. Failure to torque the
bolts with the car at the new lower ride height will
add undesirable pre-load to the rubber bushings.
This will change the wheel rate of the suspension,
increase ride harshness, and will cause the rubber
bushings to wear out prematurely. Urethane and
Delrin control arm bushings may have their pivot
bolts tightened with the suspension at full droop,
without any resulting damage or problems.