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replacing upper control arms

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Old Nov 11, 2012 | 07:39 PM
  #1  
johnnyxj83's Avatar
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From: new bedford, ma
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default replacing upper control arms

Hi, I am about to drop my newly machined engine back in, after installing a rough country 3 inch lift kit and sway bar arms and bushings.... I have two questions, first, I dropped the passenger side arm and can't get the stock one to go back in it want reach, should I get adjustable control arms or am I not doing something right...? I got the de shocks and coils in w out disconnecting the control arm, so its only one that is off at the moment. Also any suggestions on types and brands of control arms. Thanks, this is my first post.

Last edited by johnnyxj83; Nov 11, 2012 at 07:41 PM.
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Old Nov 11, 2012 | 07:51 PM
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Jamison's Avatar
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From: West TN
Year: 2000
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Ratchet strap...The axle ALWAYS moves when you take the uppers off
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Old Nov 11, 2012 | 08:07 PM
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Thanks, will do.
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Old Nov 12, 2012 | 12:41 PM
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From: Bellevue, WA
Year: 1998
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Pogo stick works well.

IRO upper arms are great and the price is very competitive.
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Old Nov 12, 2012 | 12:53 PM
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From: DE
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0
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I hate working on arms, especially when the axle move
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Old Nov 12, 2012 | 01:21 PM
  #6  
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I made the mistake of taking off both upper arms when I did my lift, talk about a pain in the ***. As already stated, use a ratchet strap or a tow strap hooked to another vehicle to give it a "gentle" pull and it'll get where you want it to.
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Old Nov 12, 2012 | 02:59 PM
  #7  
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From: DE
Year: 1988
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Engine: I6 4.0
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My friend and I put drop brackets on mine when installing my 3.5" lift, it was just as fun if not more taking them off down the road as it was putting them on (sarcasm)!
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Old Nov 12, 2012 | 05:50 PM
  #8  
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From: S.Jersey
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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adjustable arms wont make it easier pursay to install upr c/a's.
i just installed IRO adj uprs and fixed bent lowers. the uprs had to be measured out to a certain length as to keep the alighnment close enough to drive it to the alighnmnt shop.

This is because everytime you make an adjustment, would have to unbolt them anyway. so for lift sizes you would pre-set the c/a length. for me @ 4.25" of lift in the front i set my c/a length @ 15.5" and installed them at the same time.

so i removed both of them at once too. but i had help and a bigazz prybar. and 3 guys. so it wasn't problematic for me.

so to answer your ?... you should use straps and or a prybar. basically your gonna pitch the diff rearward to get the c/a's back in.

Last edited by OEJ; Nov 12, 2012 at 05:53 PM.
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Old Nov 15, 2012 | 07:53 PM
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From: West TN
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We actually found a better way than the straps but I am heasitant to mention it as someone will probably kill themselves... LOL

OK, here it goes...
Strap the front or rear bumper to another vehicle or solid object like a lift riser to keep you from running over your partner.

Put the Jeep in 4LO and figure out which way the axle torques or rotates when in drive or Reverse, depending on which way you need the axle to rotate.

My BIL was able to put the bolt in without any straps using this method, but please be safe.
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Old Nov 15, 2012 | 11:10 PM
  #10  
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Thanks for all the help, waiting on the arms now, there was a slight issue, will definitly use a strap nad have a bar handy, i do like the sound of the fixed bumper thing, but......
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