Lower control arm change - tightening procedure - unloaded or pre loaded?

[vtraudt]

Lower control arms change, tightening procedure: tighten the bushing bolts (inner, and maybe the strut fork bushing bolt) with car on jacks (i.e. unloaded)? Or do they have to be tightened in the 'loaded' position (to reduce 'pre tension' on the rubber elements) on wheels or hub raised with jack for example?

[vtraudt]

The consensus seems to be:
Tighten loaded (i.e. sitting on its wheels)
To avoid having stress on the bushings already in 'normal' setting.
Somewhat mitigated with Allroad (what is "normal" setting; assuming level 2).

Same applies towards upper control arms btw.

[G Men 08]

Under normal circumstances, all suspension bushings should be tightened while suspension is loaded. Otherwise premature failure isn't an if, but when.

That being said, I need replace my allroad components. The majority of my driving will be level 1 or two. Aside from an occasional off road adventure, or during a bad snow storm would I be any higher. Level 2?

[PaperToast]

always load the suspension, its the factory procedure

[alien_brain]

so also if im gonna be low-ish the suspension needs to be at that geometry when tightened?

[vtraudt]

The majority of my driving will be level 1 or two. Aside from an occasional off road adventure, or during a bad snow storm would I be any higher. Level 2?

Then you should lock in your bushing at level 1 or 2.

I go with 2 (the systems default) and have 1 for high speed (still have NOT found a way to override the speed drop to level 1) and show and tell, with 1 'barely driveable'.

[vtraudt]

so also if im gonna be low-ish the suspension needs to be at that geometry when tightened?

Naturally. But level selection for bushing 'lock in' is way more critical (one level to next can be 20mm) while playing with coil overs (once basic height established) is only a few mm up/down.

"lock in bushings once final ride height and preferred main "level" is determined".

Obviously: after major changes in ride height, the bushings can be 're-locked'.

[alien_brain]

without affecting alignment?

[vtraudt]

without affecting alignment?

Correct: Tightening the bolts of the bushings does not change alignment. Significantly raising/lowering and certainly messing with the tie rod DOES.