ridetech 11162199 1967-1969 GM F-Body Front Coil Spring StrongArms Instruction Manual

ridetech 11162199 1967-1969 GM F-Body Front Coil Spring StrongArms Instruction Manual

Recommended Tools

Lower Control Arm Components

In the box

Item #

| Part Number| Description|

QTY

---|---|---|---
1| 90003330| Driver Lower Control Arm (Shown)| 1
1| 90003331| Passenger Lower Control Arm| 1
2| 90000898| Lower Ball Joint Assembly| 2
3| 70010759| Delrin Bushing – with 2” Diameter Ledge| 8
4| 90000516| 1/2” ID Inner Sleeve| 4
5| 90003349| 1/4” Coil Spring Spacer| 6
6| 90000247| Coil Spring Isolator| 2
7| 90003360| Bump Stop Spacer| 2
8| 70013322| Medium Bump Stop| 2

Hardware Kit

Item #

| Part #| Description|

QTY

BUMP STOPS|
15| 99371065| 3/8”-16 x 3/4” Hex Bolt| 2
16| 99373002| 3/8” Split Lock Washer| 2
17| 99373002| 3/8” SAE Flat Washer| 2
 | 90002263| Red Loctite| 1
STEERING STOP|
18| 99372012| 3/8”-16 Hex Nut| 2
19| 99371005| 3/8”-16 x 1 1/4” Hex Bolt| 2

Getting Started

Congratulations on your purchase of the Ridetech F-Body StrongArms. These StrongArms have been designed to give your F-Body excellent handling along with a lifetime of enjoyment. Some of the key features of the StrongArms: ball joint angles have been optimized for the lowered ride height, delrin bushings are used to eliminate bushing deflection along with providing free suspension movement through the entire travel. The geometry has been optimized for excellent handling and driveabilty. The ride height can be adjusted using supplied shims. The delrin bushings are made from a material that is self lubricating so no grease zerks are needed.

Ride Height Adjustment

We recommend measuring the car before starting the install. Measuring from the fender lip to the fl oor works well. This measurement along with the guide below will help determine if you need to shim the coil spring isolator.

These controls arms come with shims to help dial in the ride height to your liking. The kit contains (6) 1/4” spacers. By not running any spacers, these controls arms will lower the car approximately 1” at the wheel if using stock springs, 1 1/2” if using Ridetech StreetGrip springs The guide below will assist you in determining what shim or shims to run to get the desired height

ADJUSTMENT GUIDE

STOCK SPRING
height change @ fender lip

| STREETGRIP SPRINGS
height change @ fender lip| TOTAL SHIM THICKNESS|

# OF SHIMS PER SIDE

---|---|---|---
+ 1/2”| 0”| 3/4”| 3
0| -1/2”| 1/2”| 2
-1/2”| -1”| 1/4”| 1
-1”| -1 1/2”| 0| 0

The shims install UNDER the coil spring isolator!!

Installation

1. Remove the entire lower control arms from the car. If you are replacing  the upper control arms and spindle, remove them too. Refer to a factory service manual for the proper method.

2. After removing the factory lower control arm, clean the bushing mounting surfaces on the frame. The control arms are marked “D” for Driver and “P” for Passenger. The ball joint pin points up and the sway bar mount is on the front side of the arm. Image 2 shows a top view of the driver side control arm.
   

3. Insert the control arms into the OEM mounts.
   Note: On some cars, the frame brackets may be pinched and will need to be spread back apart to allow the bushings to slide in.
   

4. Line up the OEM mounting holes with the through holes of the bushing sleeves. Install a 1/2” fl at washer on each of (2) 1/2”-13 x 3 3/4” bolts. Insert the bolt/washers through the mounting holes. Install a 1/2” fl at washer and 1/2”-13 nylok nut. Torque to 75 ft-lbs.
   

5. The kit includes new bump stops. Steps 5-8 will help guide you in the installation of the bump stops. The bump stop will be installed at the rear inner edge of the coil spring opening. Image 5 shows the bump stop installed as a reference. A hole will need to be drilled to attach the bump stop to the frame.
   

6. Thread the bump stop into the aluminum spacer. Swing the control arm up to help determine the proper location of the bump stop. The bump stop needs to contact the front tube of the control arm with the aluminum spacer sitting fl at against the frame. Mark the outside edges of the spacer as you will need to drill a 3/8” hole at the center of the location.
   

7. Use a 3/8” drill bit to drill a hole at the center of the bump stop spacer location.
   

8. Install a 3/8” split lock washer & 3/8” fl at washer on a 3/8”-16 x 3/4” bolt. Apply red loctite to the threads of the bolt. Insert the bolt in the drilled hole by reaching into the coil spring hole. Align the bump stop spacer with the bolt and thread it into the spacer. Tighten the bolt to 12 ft-lbs.
   

9. Use the guide to determine what shims, if any, to use to achieve the desired ride height. Place the shims over the center ring. They will sit fl at against the floor of the control arm.
   

10. Place the coil spring isolator over the ring of the control arm.
    

11. Reinstall the coil spring, making sure the end of the coil spring is nested in the provision in the frame. Rotate the coil spring isolator to align it with the bottom of the coil spring.
    

12. Attach the spindle to the control arms.
    Torque Specs:
    Lower ball joint – 65 ftlbs and tighten to line up cotter pin.
    Install the cotter pin after tightening the ball joint nut.
    

13. Reinstall the shocks using the supplied 5/16” hardware to attach them to the new control arms. Torque to 17 ft-lbs.
    

14. Thread the 3/8”-16 nut onto the 3/8”- 16 x 1 ¼” bolt. Thread it into the rear hole of the ball joint plate. You will need to adjust the steering stop to suite your needs. This setting will vary depending on wheel and tire size and other suspension components.
    

15. Tighten all fasteners. If you are going to install the Ridetech SwayBar, now is a good time to do it.

Torque Specifications

Alignment Specifications

Suggested Alignment Specs:

• Camber: Street: -.5 degrees
• Caster: Street: +3.0 to + 5.0 degrees
• Toe: Street: 1/16” to 1/8” toe in

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References

• Ridetech Home - Ridetech

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