Avoid building twist into the joint
Bonded rubber suspension bushings can be preloaded incorrectly if their mounting bolts are tightened with the suspension hanging. At normal ride height the rubber then starts from an unnecessarily twisted position, which can shorten its life.
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Follow the loaded-position procedure
MOOG specifies ride-height tightening for the rubber-bushed control-arm application it describes. The workshop must safely position the suspension at the specified height and then apply the correct torque or torque-angle sequence. A jack under an unsupported vehicle is not an acceptable workaround.
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Know the limit of the rule
This is not a universal instruction for every spherical bearing, polyurethane pivot or fastener on the car. Use the component and vehicle instructions, including replacement-bolt requirements. If a new control arm quickly develops torn rubber, ask how its final tightening position was established.
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- Manufacturer technical reference ↗Reviewed Oct 6, 2026
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