Hi all,

Installing Skunk2 upper camber arms today on my CRX, and ran into a snag. I can't find anywhere the torque specs on bolt that goes through the pivot bushings on the upper arm. I tried torquing it to about 20 pounds (just guessing) but this seemed to bind the bushings on the A-arm and prevent them from rotating freely around the bolt. Wouldn't these need to be able to rotate to allow the arm to move with the stroke of the suspension?

I'm currently at a loss, and would appreciate some advice on this from those who have done it before.

Thanks much!

 

20 lbs is way too loose, I always go by feel but the torque spec is probably closer to 40-50lbs. The bushing should not rotate freely around the bolt. You want to set the control arm approx where it's going to sit at ride height then tighten the bolt. The bushing has flex to accommodate the suspensions up and down travel.

 

He's talking about the 12mm bolts. 20lbs seems good, maybe 25lbs. I usually don't torque those because I too couldn't find the torque spec. I just torque them til I feel the click in my elbow and I feel they're tight enough.

The A arm wouldn't pivot freely with rubber bushings, because like you said, when you tighten them, the bushing is pinched. It's the same as any other suspension component on your car and that's how it comes from the factory. This is why it's important to clock your bushings by preloading your suspension when you lower your car.

Spherical bushings are the ones that allow for the suspension to go through its motion without deflection unlike rubber.