Lower Control Arms on a IFS....Parallel" - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

nogaroa4 · 03-28-2009, 07:48 PM

How important is it to get your bottom control arms parallel to the ground, side to side and front to back. I just installed a TCI Mustang 2 suspension and 4 link. I put the frame on a 1.7 degree angle when installing the front cross member thinking that the back would sit higher then the front when the truck was at ride height.

It seems that the frame sits at 1 degree pitch front to back at ride height instead. Now my front control arms pitch back, is that ok?

entourageguy · 03-29-2009, 07:37 AM

I'm pretty sure the pitch is built in to the cross member and it should be just welded flat to the frame. Should give TCI a call and ask them.

weldvair@embarqmail. · 03-29-2009, 08:16 AM

That is fine.

Don Meyer-Mech Engr.

71'tahoe · 03-29-2009, 10:14 AM

You want your control arms to be tilted to the rear a lil' its for caster. Caster is important because it is what keeps your wheels tracking straight as you drive forward and stop. Of course your toe adjustment helps a lil with this also. Caster is an imaginary line drawn through your upper and lower ball joints. You want that "line" to be tilted to the rear.So if you have your frame sitting level and you were to draw a line through your ball joints then you would want to see the line a few degrees behind center. Even of your cross member was level when you installed it, it will have a certain degree of rake to it if you run a tire that is taller in the rear than the front. Hope this helps and isnt to confusing.

weldvair@embarqmail. · 03-29-2009, 04:03 PM

There is all kind of caster & camber adjustment built into the TCI crossmember(controlled by the upper A-arm adjustment). I have installed 5 of these kits & you are fine.

I was one of the first people to use the Must II IFS back in the late 70's When I lived in Columbus. Back then I installed the factory IFS.

Don

1-ton of fun · 03-30-2009, 05:14 PM

you also want them laying back some for anti-dive on hard braking.

its a little different geometry, but i built about 9* of anti-dive into the front suspension with the frame level, i may lose a little of that depending on the final stance

03-28-2009, 07:48 PM	#1
nogaroa4 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: PA Posts: 45	Lower Control Arms on a IFS....Parallel" How important is it to get your bottom control arms parallel to the ground, side to side and front to back. I just installed a TCI Mustang 2 suspension and 4 link. I put the frame on a 1.7 degree angle when installing the front cross member thinking that the back would sit higher then the front when the truck was at ride height. It seems that the frame sits at 1 degree pitch front to back at ride height instead. Now my front control arms pitch back, is that ok?

03-29-2009, 07:37 AM	#2
entourageguy Yellow truck club Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Barrie Ontario Posts: 2,080	Re: Lower Control Arms on a IFS....Parallel" I'm pretty sure the pitch is built in to the cross member and it should be just welded flat to the frame. Should give TCI a call and ask them. __________________ ................................................................ Brian ...... My hub garage address http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/59apache I gue$$ everything has it'$ price ALL GONE NOW *59 Chev Apache* *PRAISE THE LOWERED* 350 700r lokar shifter power MII front end, shockwaves tilt, 4 wheel discs 4-link and bags 10 bolt limited

03-29-2009, 08:16 AM	#3
weldvair@embarqmail. Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: st cloud, fl Posts: 266	Re: Lower Control Arms on a IFS....Parallel" That is fine. Don Meyer-Mech Engr.

03-29-2009, 10:14 AM	#4
71'tahoe Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: lynchburg ohio Posts: 736	Re: Lower Control Arms on a IFS....Parallel" You want your control arms to be tilted to the rear a lil' its for caster. Caster is important because it is what keeps your wheels tracking straight as you drive forward and stop. Of course your toe adjustment helps a lil with this also. Caster is an imaginary line drawn through your upper and lower ball joints. You want that "line" to be tilted to the rear.So if you have your frame sitting level and you were to draw a line through your ball joints then you would want to see the line a few degrees behind center. Even of your cross member was level when you installed it, it will have a certain degree of rake to it if you run a tire that is taller in the rear than the front. Hope this helps and isnt to confusing.

03-29-2009, 04:03 PM	#5
weldvair@embarqmail. Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: st cloud, fl Posts: 266	Re: Lower Control Arms on a IFS....Parallel" There is all kind of caster & camber adjustment built into the TCI crossmember(controlled by the upper A-arm adjustment). I have installed 5 of these kits & you are fine. I was one of the first people to use the Must II IFS back in the late 70's When I lived in Columbus. Back then I installed the factory IFS. Don

03-30-2009, 05:14 PM	#6
1-ton of fun polishing a turd Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: houston, tx Posts: 674	Re: Lower Control Arms on a IFS....Parallel" you also want them laying back some for anti-dive on hard braking. its a little different geometry, but i built about 9* of anti-dive into the front suspension with the frame level, i may lose a little of that depending on the final stance __________________ 59 chevy apache 31 4x4 - my project: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=8668512 53 buick special - straight 8 sled - blow through turbo 47 gmc - flatbed hot rod build 99 ford econoline e350 - 4x4 converted family roadtrip/overlanding rig AKA 'Monstervan' AKA 'Daddy-Van' Last edited by 1-ton of fun; 03-30-2009 at 05:16 PM.

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