centering control arm shafts

[wake328]

In the process of assembling my upper and lower control arm shafts. A couple of them, I struggled to even get the threads started into the arms much less have them perfectly centered.

So my question is... is there an accepted tolerance? Say .1-.2" off? Were you able to get yours perfectly centered? That seemed to be as close as I could get with most of them. I can see this affecting the caster angle.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

You get them as close as you can by turning the shaft. The alignment will compensate for the rest.
George

[KMC3420]

Tagging onto this, how tight do you get the end caps once the shaft is centered? I have seen anywhere from 95 to 160 ft lbs. I have read not to over tighten them as well because it can bend the ears. Also, I have read a few times not to tighten them until the frame is on the ground and supporting the weight of the truck to avoid any binding issues. I assume the first picture (has the lower listed twice) that the first "Lower Control Arm Busing" should say "Upper Control Arm Bushing".
Uppers: 95 ft. lbs.
Lowers: 130 ft. lbs.

[Tommyups]

I tightened mine as far as they would go

[Grumpy old man]

Post some pictures of what your working with . I used all new moog parts and drilled the cross member for the 9/16" u bolts , install the shafts onto the frame making sure to locate the pin in the lower shaft and torque the lower shafts in place with the U bolts , then install the lower control arm onto the shaft and just catch the first thread with the cap on each end , mark the caps and alternate tightening them 1 turn on the front ,then one turn on the back until they bottom out on the control arm . once on the ground you can torque the caps, the same process can be used for the top . Much easier than trying to use a vice or on the garage floor

[KMC3420]

Thanks Grumpy, did you torque to 95 and 130? Sorry OP, hope I am not taking away from your original question.

[demian5]

And you can get more positive caster for better straight line handling by positioning the control arm more towards the front of the truck (maybe 1/4"). That makes a big difference.

[69Tom]

Subscribed. Good info.