Front Control Arm Reinstall Notch
Thread Starter
Track Day
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 22
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis Park MN
Front Control Arm Reinstall Notch
I have two front control arms with new bushings, but am wondering on reinstall how I am supposed to align the notch on the front bushing? With the front suspension unloaded the angle of the control arm is not flat so the notch does not line up with the subframe, should I place a jack under the arm and load it so the notch lines up?
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 821
Likes: 229
From: Boonton Township, NJ
I have two front control arms with new bushings, but am wondering on reinstall how I am supposed to align the notch on the front bushing? With the front suspension unloaded the angle of the control arm is not flat so the notch does not line up with the subframe, should I place a jack under the arm and load it so the notch lines up?
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 977
Likes: 603
From: Ventura CA
Install the control first with nothing else attached. I don't think the forward bolt will even go in unless the notch is lined up. the control arm will be about parallel to the ground. In stall the bolt but do not fully torque it until you can have the whole thing assembled and loaded. Even without the final torque on the forward bolt, you will have to pull the control arm down to install the strut. The notch is holding the bushing and not allowing it to rotate. For the rear bushing (actually two facing bushings) nothing is holding them from rotating with the arm. Install the bolt and nut but just snug it up. Again, final torque to be applied when car is loaded.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 189
From: Norcal
How much of the front suspension do you have disassembled?
I assume you replaced the bushings so the front control arm is the first thing you install back to the front side frames. Snug tight as you will later torque it under load.
next put the front carriers on torque it. Then attach the strut to the carrier snug tight.
Set your ride height then torque your control arms.
Do a toe, camber, caster alignment (if you put new ball joints on your control arms) and torque everything else.
I assume you replaced the bushings so the front control arm is the first thing you install back to the front side frames. Snug tight as you will later torque it under load.
next put the front carriers on torque it. Then attach the strut to the carrier snug tight.
Set your ride height then torque your control arms.
Do a toe, camber, caster alignment (if you put new ball joints on your control arms) and torque everything else.
Last edited by samurai_k; Feb 17, 2024 at 11:55 PM.
Thread Starter
Track Day
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 22
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis Park MN
Install the control first with nothing else attached. I don't think the forward bolt will even go in unless the notch is lined up. the control arm will be about parallel to the ground. In stall the bolt but do not fully torque it until you can have the whole thing assembled and loaded. Even without the final torque on the forward bolt, you will have to pull the control arm down to install the strut. The notch is holding the bushing and not allowing it to rotate. For the rear bushing (actually two facing bushings) nothing is holding them from rotating with the arm. Install the bolt and nut but just snug it up. Again, final torque to be applied when car is loaded.
How much of the front suspension do you have disassembled?
I assume you replaced the bushings so the front control arm is the first thing you install back to the front side frames. Snug tight as you will later torque it under load.
next put the front carriers on torque it. Then attach the strut to the carrier snug tight.
Set your ride height then torque your control arms.
Do a toe, camber, caster alignment (if you put new ball joints on your control arms) and torque everything else.
I assume you replaced the bushings so the front control arm is the first thing you install back to the front side frames. Snug tight as you will later torque it under load.
next put the front carriers on torque it. Then attach the strut to the carrier snug tight.
Set your ride height then torque your control arms.
Do a toe, camber, caster alignment (if you put new ball joints on your control arms) and torque everything else.
Thanks! Sorry for my confusion, I have never seen this design for front struts, every other car I have replaced front control arm bushings on (Volvo, Honda, 996TT) has a horizontal bushing in place of the fixed vertical one on the 993.
Last edited by n00ax; Feb 18, 2024 at 02:36 AM.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 189
From: Norcal
Got it.
So I would
1. install the front control arm with with the ball joint hand tight. Eye ball it so the notch lines up with the side sub frame as it has a notch opening too that is parallel to the ground.
2. Install the carrier on the control arm ball joint. You may need to wrestle the control arm down etc. the rubber bushing will twist despite it being hand tight and locked in with the notch.
removing the anti roll bar link from the carrier sometimes helps if you are having a hard time getting thing to line up. torque the Ball joint nut on the carrier.
You may need a crows foot or torque adapter to get in there if you have not removed the strut from the carrier.
3. if you are having problems getting things to line up remove the strut from the carrier. Get a paint pen and notch the top bolt opening is slotted as that is how the camber is set.
So I would
1. install the front control arm with with the ball joint hand tight. Eye ball it so the notch lines up with the side sub frame as it has a notch opening too that is parallel to the ground.
2. Install the carrier on the control arm ball joint. You may need to wrestle the control arm down etc. the rubber bushing will twist despite it being hand tight and locked in with the notch.
removing the anti roll bar link from the carrier sometimes helps if you are having a hard time getting thing to line up. torque the Ball joint nut on the carrier.
You may need a crows foot or torque adapter to get in there if you have not removed the strut from the carrier.
3. if you are having problems getting things to line up remove the strut from the carrier. Get a paint pen and notch the top bolt opening is slotted as that is how the camber is set.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 113
Likes: 72
From: Vacationland
I encountered the same issue when I did this last spring- unable to line up with the notch with the car in the air (unloaded). Once I put the wheels back on and lowered the car onto wheel cribs (and maybe turned the wheel slightly left and right) there was an audible *clunk* as each one popped into position. Then torqued to spec with the suspension loaded as others have described above.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Track Day
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 22
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis Park MN
I encountered the same issue when I did this last spring- unable to line up with the notch with the car in the air (unloaded). Once I put the wheels back on and lowered the car onto wheel cribs (and maybe turned the wheel slightly left and right) there was an audible *clunk* as each one popped into position. Then torqued to spec with the suspension loaded as others have described above.
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look
Verdad Gallardo
10 Porsche Colors That Have More Personality Than Most People
Verdad Gallardo
Guntherwerks' Final Speedster Creation Is the Ultimate Porsche Restomod
Verdad Gallardo
10 Reasons I Hate Going to the Porsche Dealership (& the 1 Reason I Stay)
Joe Kucinski
Porsche Shakes Up The Nürburgring Lap Record Table Once Again
Verdad Gallardo
6 Ways the Porsche 911 GT3 S/C Redefines Performance
Joe Kucinski
10 Wildest Homologation Specials Porsche Ever Sold
Verdad Gallardo
Super Rare RUF BTR III Comes Out of Hibernation, Looking For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Porsche Opinions That Can Start a Fight
Joe Kucinski
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 977
Likes: 603
From: Ventura CA
Congrats on good job. Also thanks for the follow up. People on this great forum that are willing to help and have knowledge wants to know how it turned out. Those on this forum who are trying to learn also want to know the results. Many times the reported results may start another interesting thread. Everyone wants to know the end of the story.