What did I miss?

[rps1072]

I just replaced the upper and lower control arms. Now on the left, just as I brake into a full stop, there is a significant clunk. It clunks again when I release the brakes and start forward. This does not happen when the car is in reverse. This problem was not there before. What did I miss?

[632 Regal]

you torqued the balljoint nuts right?? How bout the bolts on the other end?

[rps1072]

I am thinking that maybe I didn't get the left lower arm ball joint tight enough, but I am open to other suggestions.

[632 Regal]

did you use a torque wrench? The first time I did it I tightened it without and when I finally used a torque wrench I realized that I was nowhere close to having it tight the first time...just an idea.

[rps1072]

Thanks. I will start there. Of course it has to be the nut that is the hardest to get to.

[MBXB]

You did torque the arms under load?
Go over every nut you removed and check with a torque wrench.
If you dropped the sway bar to get to the "impossible nut", make sure you have those retorqued too.

[632 Regal]

LOL...I hate to even admit it but I replaced the pass side control arm, went all smooth then 800 miles later i hear a clunking as bad or worse than before...I missed something too. Hopefully it was the shock collar, I dont remember tightening that but remember torquing every thing else.

You did torque the arms under load?
Go over every nut you removed and check with a torque wrench.
If you dropped the sway bar to get to the "impossible nut", make sure you have those retorqued too.

[rps1072]

I just drove it again. I am pretty sure that I may have missed the left lower control arm balljoint. Can I just drop the steering arm with everything attached, torque it, then put the arm back?

[632 Regal]

have to remove the plate thats held on with the 3 19mm bolts. You can leave the top bolted in and just slide the bottom to the side.

I just drove it again. I am pretty sure that I may have missed the left lower control arm balljoint. Can I just drop the steering arm with everything attached, torque it, then put the arm back?

[rps1072]

That is exactly what I wanted to hear.