Hotchkis 19445 Scion FRS, Subaru BRZ Sport Coil Springs User Manual
Page 30
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Relieving Bushing Preload
I’m sure you thought you were done with the install right? There is one more thing you must do to achieve
the complete 1” drop from your Hotchkis kit.
From factory the suspension arms are torqued down at specific angles in order for the control arm bushings
to operate with the least amount of stress and bind. When you lower the vehicle, the inner bushings on the
lower control arm should be reset so there is no preload in the bushings. Preload can alter ride height and
cause your car to be higher than intended.
1. There are basically two bolts to worry about. Let’s talk about the front end first. The lower control arm
has 2 inner mounting bushings. The front bushing is a horizontal style bushing and does not require any
preload resetting. The rear bushings are a normal hinge type bushing and this is the bushing that will
require resetting. Loosen this bolt on both arms. Do not remove, just loosen a few turns to relieve the
preload. At this time, do not tighten these bolts. (17mm socket & wrench)
2. For the rear, there are two control arms to be concerned about. The lower lateral control arm and the
diagonal link. The inner pivot bolt on the lower lateral control arm should be loose if you followed step 20R.
If not, loosen this bolt, but do not remove. The outer bolt on the lower lateral control arm is attached to a
ball joint type joint, so it does not build up preload. Do not worry about the upper control arm.
The diagonal link will need to have both ends loosened. Again, do not remove these bolts. Only loosen.
(17mm socket & wrench)
The next step will require an alignment rack (preferable) or floor ramps. With all of the bolts discussed
loosened, lower the car back on the ground and roll the car about 10 feet back and forth. Drive up onto the
alignment rack or floor ramps and tighten up all of the bolts. The point of this exercise is to tighten up the
bolts with the suspension arms at the new lower ride height angles.
Front lower control arm Rear Bolt): 63 ft-lbs