2015 IRS installation guidance

[stack]

Began the install of the 2015+ IRS last night. My control arms don't just line up and fall into place. All 4 arms are really tight fit. I did get 1 in but figured i would ask the group before i force the other 3 in

stack
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h316/f5stack/IMG_3060_zpssyv1g9zy.jpg (http://s67.photobucket.com/user/f5stack/media/IMG_3060_zpssyv1g9zy.jpg.html)
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h316/f5stack/IMG_3059_zpsybbjsjh5.jpg (http://s67.photobucket.com/user/f5stack/media/IMG_3059_zpsybbjsjh5.jpg.html)
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h316/f5stack/IMG_3058_zps1tsws1ko.jpg (http://s67.photobucket.com/user/f5stack/media/IMG_3058_zps1tsws1ko.jpg.html)

[edwardb]

Mine were also really tight. Hard to tell for sure from the photos, but looks like the tabs may not be completely vertical. They adjust pretty easily with a large adjustable wrench or something similar. You need to put the control arms in straight, e.g. the same amount on both sides as you go in. Also, I pre-greased the bushings which also helped. Good luck!

[Kerns BBO]

I too had the same problem with the lower arms being too wide for the mounts on the chassis. I used a large crescent wrench to finesse (ok bend) the rear mount just enough that while holding pressure on the wrench the mount would slide it.

[wareaglescott]

My center section went right in no problem which was opposite of what I have read for many others. I feel like I fought a war getting the control arms all in the tabs. Lots of adjusting required! I did find it a little easier after grinding the powder coating off of the inside of the tabs for a little extra clearance.

[Hottrodder427]

mine too, were hard to get in, but the crescent wrench works wonders. for the whole build actually.

[Bill Waters]

Same here, stack; agree with the others. My experience was identical to yours. I'll add a couple of comments. It is common for the tabs to not be parallel with each other. It's almost inevitable that this will happen when pieces like this are welded, due to warpage during the process. Suggest starting the control arms, fitting them in the front tabs first. If you then look at all the tabs, it will become evident which ones are out of parallel. I, too, use an adjustable wrench, but find that you may get bending along the length of the tab which is unequal -- I.e., the tab bends in a bit of a curve. To avoid this, I use a couple of pieces of 1/8" steel, wide enough to cover the tabs. By clamping these firmly to the tab, I use the wrench over the whole thing, and the bend will be much more linear.

Pre-lubing the bushings as Edwardb suggests, makes an enormous difference in putting the whole thing together.
At first it looks like the whole thing won't work, but when you tweak it, it will end up working fine.