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mslc10	Well I finally put in the " control freaks" links for the rear. I have been fighting a " low tire feel" or swaying at the ass end. Also was starting to get a shudder in second gear under acceleration. Upon installation of new links sway and shudder are gone! Alignment of tires must have been shifting back and forth under power. Install was fairly easy and quick ,but you better have 1/2 in extensions and a good ratchet with leverage or impact. They can be done one at a time no need to disconnect coil over . Here is the old on sitting on the bolts I will use to adjust new one: Here is new one getting adjusted to same length: Here it is at same length, notice they are on the same bolts: Now here I'm showing the one that slowed me down and required a trip to auto zone for the big extensions ( I twisted off two 3/8 extensions).leave the left link off so you have a straighter shot to the nut. Also going back in there are shims to put in on the frame side on 2000 and up . Probably less than three hours if you have good tools and a cordless impact. This message has been edited by mslc10 on 03-20-2016 at 07:22 PM
Landscape Doctor	Great job Mark. Looks like a half inch pull out hand rachet from Harbor Freight,,,,have one in each of my trucks and one in my two shops,,,very handy. How many miles on your cat?? My stock links still look great.
dru	Thanks for posting the pics and description Mark. It's very helpful.
mslc10	L.D. , good eye! If you look close at one of the pics you can see a 3/8 square section is twisted on the extension. 62k on the odo. The old links seemed ok but the grease covers were history on all of them. The link has a ball swivel to it , like a " heim " joint , but the new ones do not. I could not replicate any perceivable play in the old ones by hand but that doesn't mean it isn't there under power. So far I think I have cured my swaying problem. I took it for a quick trip down a " rutted" road my new tundra doesn't like and it did pretty well! Seemed to tighten things up and calling it a new car is a stretch but it is considerably better. When ever you are ready Joe! You're next!! This message has been edited by mslc10 on 03-20-2016 at 09:19 PM
quincy	quote: Originally posted by mslc10: L.D. , good eye! If you look close at one of the pics you can see a 3/8 square section is twisted on the extension. 62k on the odo. The old links seemed ok but the grease covers were history on all of them. The link has a ball swivel to it , like a " heim " joint , but the new ones do not. I could not replicate any perceivable play in the old ones by hand but that doesn't mean it isn't there under power. So far I think I have cured my swaying problem. I took it for a quick trip down a " rutted" road my new tundra doesn't like and it did pretty well! Seemed to tighten things up and calling it a new car is a stretch but it is considerably better. When ever you are ready Joe! You're next!! Good job! Very cleaver to use the old links to master in the new links with the bolts! Never would have thought of that!
NiteProwl64	Sweet Job! Those are some beefy trailing arm links. Should definitely tighten up the rear and improve handling. Curious to know how it handles over time. Please keep us posted!
padroo	Do you think this may have been the problem with your tires? What are you going to do with the old ones? I am interested in the used ones.
phil2237	I would have the rear axle aligned at a shop as you have to be right on to eliminate rear tire wear. To measure the way you did is a good starting point, but rear tires are expensive to replace and alignment is critical. Our local Chrysler dealer replaced mine under warranty & the mechanic did not know they had to align it afterwards. My tires in the rear were worn out in 400 miles on the inside of each tire. The dealer ( After Arguing ) did step up & replace the tires at no charge. They also did the alignment
mslc10	Padroo, Rear tires were exchanged for the current one, and hopefully this corrected my issue. Yes , I need to realign. Dealer had it for alignment and told me old ones were bad and if I replaced them he'd redo the alignment. So I will see if he stands by it.
ALLEY CAT	Great job documenting the install with pictures Mark... much appreciated.
mslc10	Thanks AC! Update from dealer after 7 hrs of aligning .... Got everything within tolerances except passenger front camber is off 1 degree.service mgr keeping it another day . Wants to get it perfect. Going to try something with the lower control arms. Jeeze!
Tomcal	Have dealer check upper and lower ball joints and upper/lower A-arm bushings in front. Also, have them measure "Ride Height" front and rear. Ride height will effect camber. Tire wear or other than original tire diameter also effects camber alignment. They will need to joust body up and down before ride height measurements.
ed monahan	Hard to believe but they recommend someone should be sitting in the driver's seat when it is aligned. I wonder if the dealership knows that.
quincy	quote: Originally posted by ed monahan: Hard to believe but they recommend someone should be sitting in the driver's seat when it is aligned. I wonder if the dealership knows that. Yep, plus full tank of fuel along with driver in the seat!
Tomcal	Have a 2000 service manual and it calls fro a full tank of gas during alignment. but does not state drive in seat. I've seen posts that claim this. Has it been written in later version of manual?
mslc10	Had a full tank when I took it to them but not anymore.
CCJ	quote: Originally posted by phil2237: I would have the rear axle aligned at a shop as you have to be right on to eliminate rear tire wear. To measure the way you did is a good starting point, but rear tires are expensive to replace and alignment is critical. Our local Chrysler dealer replaced mine under warranty & the mechanic did not know they had to align it afterwards. My tires in the rear were worn out in 400 miles on the inside of each tire. The dealer ( After Arguing ) did step up & replace the tires at no charge. They also did the alignment Good info.