front upper control arm question

[JJK]

This is my first build, so I am not sure whether this is a big deal or not. When adjusting the front upper control arms to their approximate positions for power steering (according to p.38 of the manual) I cannot get the left upper control arm to the correct dimensions. Specifically, the back leg is supposed to measure 7-3/8" from the bolt to the zerk fitting, but mine bottoms out at 7-3/4", I cannot get it any shorter. Is this something to be concerned about now, or will things be adjusted out when it gets the wheels on and aligned so this is not an issue? If I need to correct things, and suggestions on how?

[rthomas98]

This one is a mixed bag. I was able to get mine there. But I know others are not. Some have had to take the center section out in the rear and cut it down slightly to get the desired measurement. I believe 3/8" off the end is what I have seen. Like I said I lucked out and didn't need it but I know some have. JBNOVA does a pretty good write up in his build page. See below link.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?35795-JB-in-NOVA-s-MK4-build-First-overnight-road-trip!/page2

[JJK]

Thanks for the link and confirming I am not doing something wrong (yet). Looks like I may need to cut some things down to get to specs.

[JJK]

UPDATE: Before cutting anything I centered the threaded shaft to the two screws as I noticed there was about a quarter of an inch gap on one side while the other was bottomed out. Now the distance of the rear portion of the upper front control arm is 7-1/2" compared to the manual recommendation of 7-3/8". Is the additional 1/8" necessary such that I should cut the threaded shaft down a bit? Not sure how much adjustment will be required for the alignment, or which direction this will need to go. If it will need to get shorter then I will definitely need to cut down, but if not, then things should be ok. Can anyone with experience offer advice?

[egchewy79]

I have manual steering, but I believe most need to cut the sleeves AND and bolts to get the numbers needed for PS set up. there's a member on this forum that has a mill/machine to cut them who'll do it for just the cost of shipping. can't exactly remember who, but maybe CraigS?

[CraigS]

Yes I will cut them for you. Email me at craigstuard at comcast dot net and put ffr as the subject so I don't delete it. Just put $10 in w/ the sleeves to cover return shipping. I turn them in my old lathe and generally remove all the round section at each end. That shortens the sleeve about 1/2 inch total. Backround on alignment specs. I have helped align several mkIVs and all were power steering cars. W/ PS I prefer 7.5-8 deg caster. Generally to get 1/2deg negative camber you are limited to about 6.5 deg caster. For more caster, or more camber than above #s, the rear sleeve bottoms out. What becomes more of a pain to me is I will get say the -.5 camber and the +6.5 caster on the left side. Then I go to the right side and, because of production tolerances, I can only get +6.5 if I stay to 0 deg camber. OK, we decide to live w/ that for now, but I have to go back to the left side and reset it to 0 deg camber so both sides are equal.

[Namrups]

I am using power steering on my coupe. In order to get to the proper measurement I had to cut the sleeves down and the threaded shafts so they didn't bottom out. You can see the difference in the sleeves in the attached picture. I used a hack saw and then cleaned up the edges. I have not had a final alignment done but I believe this is required to get where you want to be.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=168858&d=1656796865

[boat737]

I used my little band saw to cut them all. And a reciprocating saw for the knuckle, since it was already mounted on the car.

[JJK]

CraigS, email sent. thank you all for the advice and help. It is truly appreciated.
JJK