Helpful Hint for Installing Control Arms

[kurtbob]

Hey fellow coupe builders. I wanted to provide a helpful hint for installing control arm rod ends into narrow mounting brackets. While trying to install my rear suspension, I found it difficult to jam the rod ends into the chassis brackets. Several of them were about 1/16th of an inch too narrow. So I tried to find a tool that would make the openings a little wider. I finally found this handy gadget at Advance Auto parts. It's a brake pad spreader that is operated with a 3/4 inch wrench, and made the job easy. I hope this helps anyone who is struggling with this same situation.

[Alphamacaroon]

That's a great find/idea. There are probably a few more places that would also come in handy. Wish I would have thought of it for my build— if I remember properly, I think my tool of choice was a couple big-*** crescent wrenches. :D

[cv2065]

Nice find! Haven't seen that one before. You can also use some simple threaded rod with two nuts and 2 washers. Easy to get in some of the small places, as you'll need to spread the ears out in just about every installation, from UCAs, LCAs and shocks.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/c310/cv2065/IMG_8821.JPG?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/c310/cv2065/IMG_8821.JPG?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)

[mmeyer8700]

I just used that technique last night. Have used it several times before in this build. Cheaper than buying a tool