Thread: How tight should suspension bolts be?

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I removed a really bad triangulated 4-link on my 29 hiboy and replaced it with a home-grown system modeled after the Mustang II using P&J links and bushings. Actually, just the links, I still have the same Carrera coil-overs.

When I first did the work, I drove the car for a few months to make sure there were no cracks forming in the welds or other related problems, and that I liked it (read: that it was actually an improvement), and it really was. I aligned the rear to the chassis centerline, and performed a thrust alignment at the same time, and the car now tracks perfectly straight with my hands off the wheel. Can't ask for more than that, plus the ride was vastly improved.

I blew it apart for polishing and painting and then re-installed it, only to find that it doesn't feel as good. The alignment is still great, but the ride seems too harsh. For safety, I used stopnuts on all moving parts, but I wonder if I've over-tightened the bolts, causing a lack of freedom of motion? Any thoughts or experiences to share on this? I didn't torque the bolts other by feel.

Dorsey,Was the suspension loaded when you tightened all the nuts and bolts?
If not you may have binding in that system when the load was put back on them.If that is the case loosen up all them fasteners with the car on the ground then retorque them.

Yes, the suspension was loaded when I tightened the bolts as the final assembly step. I suspect binding as you do, and I'm going to take your advice and loosen and re-torque the bolts. I fully greased all the bushings, so that is not likely the cause. I also know that there's no binding due to mis-alignment of components, as everything literally dropped into place during assembly.

I know that you probably didnt do this,But take a few measurements and make sure that you didnt swap any of the bars from left to right.

If your mounts are in double shear as they should be, it is very easy to overtighten the bolts and stop the rod ends from being able to pivot.... (Please don't ask me how I know this.....)

That is the case, and I think that with the snug fit of the rod ends, tightening the bolts was causing binding. In this case, the nuts are only used to keep the bolts from coming out, not for applying clamping force. Once I loosened them up, the ride did improve. I marked the nuts so I can check them for movement, but I'm confident that the stopnuts will do their job.

Glad to see that it is improving the ride.