Torquing After Lift - Couple Questions

[cafecito]

Hey all,

I'm at the final stages of installing my first ever lift kit (AEV 2" for Mojave w/ geo brackets), and I just want to make absolutely sure I do everything the right way. I've heard too many horror stories about people who didn't tighten suspension shit the right way...

1. I know the rule of thumb is to torque suspension components with all four tires on the ground so the suspension is under load. If I were to put 4 jackstands under the axles to give myself more room to work, that would achieve the same effect, right? No reason to worry as long as the truck weight is on the suspension?

2. Is there an order I should go in when torquing down suspension components? Should I do highest torque values first? Or is there one component that should always go before the others? Or does it not matter?

Sponsored

 

[Northridge4x4]

Hey all,

I'm at the final stages of installing my first ever lift kit (AEV 2" for Mojave w/ geo brackets), and I just want to make absolutely sure I do everything the right way. I've heard too many horror stories about people who didn't tighten suspension shit the right way...

1. I know the rule of thumb is to torque suspension components with all four tires on the ground so the suspension is under load. If I were to put 4 jackstands under the axles to give myself more room to work, that would achieve the same effect, right? No reason to worry as long as the truck weight is on the suspension?

2. Is there an order I should go in when torquing down suspension components? Should I do highest torque values first? Or is there one component that should always go before the others? Or does it not matter?

1) Yes, use jack stands under the axles to get that extra room under there. You want the suspension at ride height, so even a couple sets of those drive-on car ramps will work (as long as they are rated heavy enough).

2) No particular order needed. One thought is to use a two-stage torque. Torque to 80%-ish all the way around, then torque to the final specs.

One trick we like to use is to mark all fasteners with a paint pen after they are torqued to spec. It helps keep track of which ones are torqued and which aren't AND it helps you quickly check to make sure they are not loosening.

 

[@californiajeeping]

I normally leave everything loose. Drive the truck at idle over some speed bumps and turn back and forth at 1-3mph. Enough to shift some weight around. Park it let it settle and jam my fat butt underneath to begin torquing.

this really gets everything settled and Makes sure it’s getting neutrally torqued.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Hey all,

I'm at the final stages of installing my first ever lift kit (AEV 2" for Mojave w/ geo brackets), and I just want to make absolutely sure I do everything the right way. I've heard too many horror stories about people who didn't tighten suspension shit the right way...

1. I know the rule of thumb is to torque suspension components with all four tires on the ground so the suspension is under load. If I were to put 4 jackstands under the axles to give myself more room to work, that would achieve the same effect, right? No reason to worry as long as the truck weight is on the suspension?

2. Is there an order I should go in when torquing down suspension components? Should I do highest torque values first? Or is there one component that should always go before the others? Or does it not matter?

Having done suspension work since the 1970s.................
As long as all fasteners allow relatively free movement of the bushings and other parts they secure, all you need to do is raise the vehicle on 4 stands and torque.
I also like the torque 3/4 on every fastener and then start over to finish the torque on each.
Sequence doesn't matter at all but it's a good idea to mark what you have done so you don't miss any. There's a lot of them and you will likely break a sweat and maybe forget. A paint pen as already mentioned not only tracks what you have finished but also any future movement of the fasteners.
Install everything, leave things just loose enough nothing binds, jounce the 4 corners of the truck a good jounce, then raise and support it and torque away.
No use over-thinking it.

 

[cafecito]

1) Yes, use jack stands under the axles to get that extra room under there. You want the suspension at ride height, so even a couple sets of those drive-on car ramps will work (as long as they are rated heavy enough).

2) No particular order needed. One thought is to use a two-stage torque. Torque to 80%-ish all the way around, then torque to the final specs.

One trick we like to use is to mark all fasteners with a paint pen after they are torqued to spec. It helps keep track of which ones are torqued and which aren't AND it helps you quickly check to make sure they are not loosening.

Awesome, that's exactly what I needed to hear. I used torque paint on the rear already, and I will definitely do so once I get this front end done as well.

Thanks a ton!

Sponsored