So, this weekend is supposed to be pretty nice so rather than waiting till the middle of July when it's 90 degrees out I'd take some time and do some basic maintenance on my Metalcloak control arms. Gonna pull each one, one by one and clean them up, pull the retaining rings, clean the bushings and re-lube them with the little tub of silicone lube that came with them a few years ago. Also going to replace the factory bolts with the MC grade 8 bolt kit that has been sitting around for a while. Been having some squeaking and groaning lately and I think it's from the road grime and salt from our crappy winters here.

Anyways, here's the question and I know the answer should be obvious, but I want to make sure I am not missing something important. I know you are supposed to have the Jeep with all 4 wheels on the ground at ride height when tightening and torqueing down the bolts. A few years ago I had my left hip replaced and it hurts like hell to lie on my left side with my weight on it. I was thinking that if I got both axles up with two jack stands under each axle and the Jeep with its full weight on them, sitting level and only the tires off the ground, it might give me some more room to be able to push and pull on the wrenches and allow me to maybe not have to lie on my left side. To me, that would be the exact same as having the Jeep sitting on the four wheels on the ground since the axles are still taking the full weight of the Jeep.

Anyone see anything wrong with my logic?

 

The must be on the ground when torquing is specific to the rubber bushings used in stock and some aftermarket arms which don't rotate. The joints used in your metalcloak arms are designed to rotate so there is no problem with torquing them not on the ground.

 

Nothing wrong with the logic. As you say it still emulates having the Jeep weight supported through the wheels and suspension. Jeff is right as I have MC as well and I torque mine with the Jeep lifted on jackstands under the chassis. Be careful of how high and how you support everything for safety sake. Better idea is to get a young guy under there to do it for you.

 

I figured I was correct. Not going up real high with them and I will probably throw some ratchet straps over the axles down to each jack stand just to prevent any shifting on them. We've done something similar at work when moving and rigging loads that aren't stable.