How to install LCA Relocation Brackets
This is a quick down and dirty how to for Bolt on Lower Control Arm Relocation Brackets.
YEs they are inexpensive and yes they are quick, but they are tricky.
Scale of 1-10 about a 5.
Taking apart the suspension is easy, is getting the brackets in around it all gets tricky.
PARTS NEEDED
LCA Relocation Brakets (bolton for this install) UMI, BMR, Founders Performance, they all are about the same form what ive seen. some hardwear may differ.
TOOLS
A lift makes this go by quick if you have access but jacking up the rearend on the frame will work too. High enough to get under.
Good set of Sockets, Ratches, wrenches, Prybar and a long srewdriver.
Impact wrech and air ratchet are make this easy too.
DISCONNECTION
Get you Brackets ready and make sure you have all your hardwear. YOur brackets should come with new hardwear.
http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/e...s/P1000751.jpg
Remove rear tires
Do one side at a time to keep the rear end from falling on you.
http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/e...s/P1000752.jpg
I started on the Passengers side
Disconnect the Shock from the axle
Disconnect the Lower control arm form the axle.
Theres a little bar supporting the Ebrake, diconnect that as well. (pass side)
http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/e...s/P1000753.jpg
http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/e...s/P1000754.jpg
the next hard part is that you have to spread the Brakeline support bracket apart abit. Dont get carried away cause you gotta put it back together.
First Slide the braket in between the brakeline braket and the axle on the outside and ensure the relo braket is over the hole where the shock bolt goes through. For now put the nut back on the shock for now but dont tighten it yet. You need wiggle room
SO... heres how i did it.
Starting from the OUTSIDE of the mounting point
bolt head -washer - Brake bracket - Relo bracket - axle - sleeve - axle - brake braket - relo bracket - washer - nut.....
you get that lol Simply put, the part with the flare on it goes on the outside of the relo braket.
http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/e...ketinstall.jpg
The next part is getting the bolt through ALL the holes lol.
This requires patience, a hammer and small prybar or big flattip screwdriver.
Slowly work the new bolt from the outside in, and line up all the holes as you tap and puch it through. Its a pain. you have a bunch of holes to line up on one bolt.
After that its smoothe sailing lol.
Tighten the shock bolt, Swing the LCA back into place, start with the lower set of holes. Then if needs be later move it up to the next ones.
Tighten up the Upper and bolt holding everything together and tighen up the LCA bolt.
Now for the Driverside.
All steps are the same just flip flopped. Minus there isnt a Ebrake support bar to remove.
Double check your work and make sure everythings tight.
Take your time and in no time your Relocation brakets will be in. Took me About an hour. I was doing a PHR at the same time.
http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/e...s/P1000755.jpg
Let me know if i missed anything. If you need more pictures dont hesitate to ask. I work at a shop and have easy access to lifts :) Even if i didnt i still have easy access to a lift, Military posts are so nice with there auto craft shops and their supply of lifts :)
Side note.. If you dont want to get all into the bracket part, you can cut part of it off, but my installs will emphasize the least amount of Hammering, Cutting, or Welding to do as possible.
For the cutting, you will cut off the braket braket that goes around axle portion. the outside portion of it (outside relitive to the vehicle) will be left to be bolted on.