MAF control arm drop bracket install? (1 Viewer)

[mooker82]

So after a few sets of OME bushings being destroyed I finally had OEM bushings put back in my 80. I thought I would deal with the lack of caster but I hate the way it drives now. I ended up ordering the MAF control arm drop brackets and am getting ready to install them this weekend. Unfortunately MAF does include any instructions. Does anyone that has installed them have any tips on the best way to go about this? Do the front control arm bolts need to be removed or can I just loosen them?

My plan of attack so far is:

Block rear wheels
Jack stands under the front with the wheels still on the ground.
Ratchet strap front axle to front tow points
Loosen front bolts (1 side at a time)
Remove rear bolt
Install brackets
Cuss and fight the rear part of the arm into the bracket and bolt up

 

[bignasty]

I put the jack stands under the front frame horns so I move the axle around to get the bolts lined. I used 12 ton jacks, so I wouldn't have extend them much. Overkill, but I only have one life. I then used racket straps to help with lining up bolts.

 

[mooker82]

I put the jack stands under the front frame horns so I move the axle around to get the bolts lined. I used 12 ton jacks, so I wouldn't have extend them much. Overkill, but I only have one life. I then used racket straps to help with lining up bolts.

Did you have to unbolt the Axle side control arm mounts?

 

[bignasty]

No, just the chassis ones.

 

[Pitch]

Jack stands are not even necessary. Do one side at a time.

park on a level surface.
set ebrake
remove the two bolts on cross member
remove control arm bolt on the chassis side
place bracket in place, loosely insert bolts (less than finger tight)
insert control arm to MAF control arm bracket (hint, roll tire fore/aft to line up bolt holes) this may require a 2nd set of hands
tighten it all down
repeat on other side

If all goes well, about 15' per side. It is really that easy. Then go drive, and realize how much better your 80's handling just got.

 

[mooker82]

Install went fairly well except for 2 bolts that snapped. One of the 14mm bolts into the frame broke on each side. I guess I'll have to drill them out tomorrow as I ran out of daylight. Each side took maybe 15 mins.

I found it much easier to leave on flat ground. Unbolt frame side of the control arm and use a small scissor jack to push the control arm down.

 

[allan man]

Ratchet straps is your friend on this one.

 

[ZackR]

When you are installing a lift is it easier to install the MAF drop brackets before or after the springs/shocks? I've never installed either before and I'm working on the best plan of attack.

This is for a Dobinson's 1.75" lift with MAF 2" drop brackets.

 

[GW Nugget]

My 2" MAF drop brackets add 2" more drop of the tire. So do the drop brackets 1st so there will be less bind while installing coils.

 

[ZackR]

Wishing these MAF drop brackets were a bit more plug and play...... lots of grinding and drilling to get the first one to fit. On to the second one now.

 

[graham5david]

Mine dropped right in other than one hole on the cross member. They definitely make a noticeable difference when driving. I think the crossmember holes are off a little in the design.

 

[jsmo]

Did you remove both control arm rear bolts at the same or did you just unbolt one and install a drop bracket and move onto the next one?

 

[ZackR]

Did you remove both control arm rear bolts at the same or did you just unbolt one and install a drop bracket and move onto the next one?

One at a time. Just got the second one in, much faster than the first since I knew where to grind away a bit of material. Lining up the control arm was not difficult, rather lining up the drop bracket to the original control arm hole on the frame.

 

[jsmo]

When i unbolted the rear of one control arm at a time, i couldn't get the control arm to drop down at all. Did you loosen the front bolts of the control arm?

 

[GW Nugget]

I only had one rear bolt not fit. Just had to file a wee bit to fit snug.

 

[ZackR]

When i unbolted the rear of one control arm at a time, i couldn't get the control arm to drop down at all. Did you loosen the front bolts of the control arm?

I jacked up the frame to get the first control arm to drop. I left the front tire on for weight and to help position the control arm when placing in the drop bracket. I also disconnected the sway bar.