Quote:
Wheeler previously said:
Hey guys,
Installed the all pro lower control arm pro-links the other day. They went in real easy--but I have 2 questions after the install:
1) how long are the threaded parts of the johhny joints that insert into the red center tube? I tried to make both sides as even as possible when adjusting the length, but one side is slighly longer than the other and I want to make sure that I have both sides in deep enough.
2) What are the proper torque settings?
3) how often do these need to be greased?
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Here's the easy way to install these:
1. Run both ends in as far as you possible can, so that both sets of threads are bottomed out.
2. With someone holding both ends, twist the center to "extend" the link. This will let the same amount of threads out on each side.
3. Take a stock, unbent link (if you have one left) and put the mounting bolts through the bushings. Set the whole thing on the ground with the bolts pointing up and out of the links.
4. Adjust the link until it's the same length as stock. Use the stock link and bolts as a jig to get the length right. You want the stock length, or else your pinion angle will be a bit off and you might cause undue U-joint wear.
5. Squirt a generous amount of blue loc-tite onto the threads where the jam-nut will sit.
6. Tighten the jam-nut as tight as you can get it. I put the link in a vice and turned the nut until the link started to spin in the vice jaws. The real torque spec is probably something like 400 ft.-lbs for a thread that size, but your goal here is just to keep everything tight without backing out.
7. Install one at a time. First put it in 4-lo, park (or 1st gear) and max out the E-brake. If you don't jack the rig up, nothing will move when you remove one link so putting the new one in will be cake. If you need to move it slightly, a ratchet strap will pull the axle closer to the body and the stock jack jammed sideways between a couple of things will push it further away.
8. I greased mine at first, but they were so tight that they won't take more than a half a pump of grease each. I greased them again after about 5000 miles and a trip to Tellico and they're still tighter than hell and wouldn't take much if any grease. These things are well made and haven't worn at all.
Notes:
1. The link brackets on the frame and axle may be bent. There was a thread on here about someone breaking their thumb trying to bend it back out, so be careful if dealing with bent brackets.
2. Try to avoid getting loc-tite between the johnny joint and the link itself, try to keep it just under the jam-nut. If you ever need to adjust the length in the future, it's going to be painful trying to rotate the joint in the tube. If you use blue Loc-tite, you can always just heat the joint with a torch to free it up. Don't use anything stronger than blue.
3. Try to keep the grease joints both pointed down. This puts them in a more exposed position, but you just can't get to them if you point them up.
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