Front lower control arms-torque specs

[GNR1]

Hi All !!!!
My Z is out of winter hibernation--got it in storage 1 day before the first snow, in Southeast Massachusetts, USA !!!

My big project is replacing the front lower control arms. Two alignment shops refused to align because they said the arms needed replacement. One was a trusted shop that I have done business with for 10 years----the other was good reputation, to validate the first shop .

I've done a bunch of research, but can not come up with firm torque specs. The only specs I have are:
inner ball joints------62 ft lbs
outer ball joint------48 ft lbs
2 hex bolts ---------44 ft lbs
These were posted on another site, and the poster was asking for help verifying these numbers, but no one did verify.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Hope everyone had a healthy Winter.

GNR1

 

[grannyknot]

Here you go,

 

[GNR1]

Thank you Grannyknot !!!


Is that schematic available online somewhere ?
Again, thank you very much.

 

[GNR1]

After replacement of the control arms, does the vehicle have to be lowered to the ground (wheels on) before doing the final torqueing, to put everything under load ? Read this on remarks in a You Tube video.

Thanks

 

[Pondrew]

After replacement of the control arms, does the vehicle have to be lowered to the ground (wheels on) before doing the final torqueing, to put everything under load ? Read this on remarks in a You Tube video.

Torque is torque, irrespective of whether 'under load' or not. It is the tightness of a given screw or bolt, or nut . There is so much bullsh*t in this world and social media is a great place for people to speak it.

 

[grannyknot]

Thank you Grannyknot !!!


Is that schematic available online somewhere ?
Again, thank you very much.

Sorry about that, didn't see your reply, yes here it is. http://sawashie.free.fr/M3/TorqueSpec/E46%20M3%20TORQUE%20SPECS%20LR.pdf
Now it is for the e46 M3 but will work for the e86 Z4M and a good number of standard Z4's

 

[GNR1]

Thank you, Pondrew & Grannyknot.

I had doubts about the "under load", until I read the link provided by Grannyknot. http://sawashie.free.fr/M3/TorqueSpec/E46%20M3%20TORQUE%20SPECS%20LR.pdf
Suspension should be torqued under load.

This could be like the sailing forums discussions of " guns on board" and "dogs on board". What the H@33 !!

Probably will play it safe, put wheels back on and lower onto my ramps to get "under load" , and finish the torque if I can fit under with the jackstands & ramps.
Thoughts??? welcomed !!!
All is theoretical right now as I have not been able to get under my Z due to some physical constraints right now but plan on "jackin' her up" in a couple of weeks.

All ideas welcomed !!!

 

[GuidoK]

Torque is torque, irrespective of whether 'under load' or not.

This is not true. Torque under load is/means fixating a bushing at a certain position (usually the rideheight position).
If you don't follow this rule where applicable, the bushing sits under strain at normal rideheigth and will fail prematurely.
For instance the bushings in the rear axle have to be torqued this way.

However this is not applicable for the front lower control arms as they are all ball joints and the lower FCAB is pre-pressed in the right position.
The anti-rollbarbushings should however be torqued 'under load' (or: 'at regular rideheight') (applicable for the normal rubber bushings, not for poly bushings)

 

[GNR1]

Thanks, GuidoK !
Not having to do the "underload" makes the job a little easier.