When doing control arms by yourself,, use a ratchet strap to pull the axle into place..

Hook strap around axle,,,then hook other end of strap to the jeep(plenty of mounting holes can be found for the strap) ,, pull the axle back into position.

 

Sounds like you need to do your research and read a how-to. Not the company's fault the axle rolled a little on you and you didn't think about using a ratchet strap or a jack to rotate it back into place. My Core 4x4 Tier 3 arms have taken a beating and still ride as good as they did out the package minus some paint.

 

I have core4x4 rear uppers in my ZJ and they were a breeze to stall

This sounds like user error in a unfamiliar place.

I have a 1 ton come-a-long that I bought for $20 when working on my axles.

 

It's arms...with two bolts for each arm.

Other than torque specs...there's no reason to need installation instructions.

A simple set of ratchet straps would have made life easier.

Let it be a learning experience, no reason to be mad at Core4x4.

 

MY brother just went threw the same he had never done it thought how hard can it be well after 2 hours fighting the first one called me was ticket off when I took about 15 min to change the second one he also had the front axle hanging from the suspension and that didn't help! you live and learn! or at least we can hope you learn

 

So why should the adjustable end be on the up side? Or on the down side?

When I attempted to line up the adjustable end on the up side, there was no way in Hell that the lower control arm was going to seat into the top mount. It was off by over an inch. On the flip side, both control arm seated on both sides with the adjustable end down. But then I figured out by looking at install instructions for a competitor's product that the adjustable end *was* supposed to be on the up side.

Also, a jack was under the axle assembly. The entire axle assembly basically stayed put, it moved a fraction of an inch when I disconnected the control arms. And I only did one arm at a time. I was at a DIY garage where the outfit supplies an experienced mechanic to provide advice. He told me to use the floor jack and to make sure that the the axle assembly didn't shift when disconnecting the arms.

The only frustrating part is that the factory bolts could be seated/installed in minutes. With a tapered end on the bolts, the holes wouldn't have to be *perfectly* aligned.

And torque specs... I assume they are kind of critical.

Totally happy with the quality of the product. No issues there.

 

About the same here. Had a second set of hands. Was far less time for the second lower control arm. About 20 minutes.

 

Well, putting the adjustable end up top means it is more out of the way of things that could damage the adjustable connection (threads, nut, etc) and prevent it from being able to be adjusted.

It is also somewhat more accessible when adjustment is needed as you don't have to fight the front tire as much.

And now, you have also learned when the mechanic tells you to make sure the axle doesn't move, he means doesn't move, not doesn't move much..................



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Good to know why one end should be up vs. the other. Thank you.

I ordered the Core4X4 adjustable leaf spring shackles on Saturday. Totally hyped.

 

Well, I'm not sure if that if the 'official' reason, but it's what makes sense to me.....



Be prepared...the rear axle is often harder to get back together than the front, as the spring is hard to flatten out without the vehicle weight on it, and not having that when you re-assemble it can make anger come quick.....

Personally, I install the shackle in the frame box end 1st so I can see how things align when I attach the spring eye to the bottom end of the shackle...and make sure the bottom fasteners can be installed the direction you want them before you try....some of them have lower bolts that are too long to be installed nut out vice nut in.

Not sure it really makes a difference which way they go, but I prefer nut out, so 'if' the nut comes off, the frame has a chance to prevent the bolt from working all the way out before I realize what's going on.


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Thank you for this info. Much appreciated!

 

Be sure to put some loctite on the nuts on the new rear shackles. I had the core 4x4 ones and the nuts always came loose until I loctited them.

 

done this so manytimes. ratchet straps are always my go to when trying to align anything. also, doesnt hurt to have slider (it helps pulling things sideways.