Ball joint flip/torsion bar & OME912 spring lift

[Triathlete]

Time: About 4 hours

Parts needed: OME912 Springs

Tools needed: Jack
Jack stands
Socket wrench
14mm, 19mm, 27mm sockets
14mm, 22mm open end/box wrench
Needlenose pliers
torque wrench

REAR SPRINGS
1.Remove the 19mm lower nut on the rear shock

2.Jack the rear end up slightly and remove the lower part of the shock from the shaft

3.Continue to jack the rear up until the springs become unseated

4.Remove the springs.
Stock spring on left and new OME912 spring on right

5.Instal new springs. The smooth flat end goes up. The spring then needs to be rotated clockwise until the end sets in the stop.

6.Line up the upper part of the spring with the seat.

7.Lower the jack partially making sure the upper spring/seat remain aligned.
8.Reconnect the lowwer shock torqueing the bolt to 58 lb ft.
9.Lowwer the Vehicross completely.
The rear is now complete

Rear clearance (15" ruler under fuel tank)


BALL JOINT FLIP
1.Jack up one side of the front of the Vehicross.
2.Remove wheel.
3.You will now be able to see the upper ball joint.

4.Next remove the cotter pin and the crown nut on the bottom.

5.Using the sledge hammer tap/hit the spindle until it drops from the ball joint. Use caution...the lowwer section will drop about 2 inches.


6.Next remove the 3 14mm bolts
7.Remove the ball joint and relocate it to the bottom.
8.Reinstall the 14mm bolts to hold it in place.
9.Torque bolts to 76 lb ft.

10.Jack up the lower assembly, align the hole and then tighten the crown bolt.
11.Torque the crown bolt to 108 lb ft.
12.Align cotter pin hole and replace cotter pin.

13.Reinstall wheel.
14.Repeat for other side.

TORSION BAR
1.Measure distance on both sides for referance.
2.Jack front of Vehicross up (relieves pressure from torsion bars)
3.Adjuster bolt is located just inside of frame toward the rear section of the door.


4.Turn the bolt clockwise to lift the front.
5.10-12 turns will lift aprox. 2-3 inches. Turn both sides equally.
6.Lower Vehicross and then remeassure.
7.Make adjustments as needed to get the desired hight and both sides even.
8.The last step is to have your Vehicross alignment corrected.
**You may also need to extend your rear bump stops to prevent wheel well damage.**

Here is the finished results. Note the increased clearance (tire pictured are 31").
Front



Front with 15" ruler

From rear

Side with 15" ruler


The end results...

[SPAZZ]

Say goodbye to tight hairpin cornering!!!

but enjoy offroad;Dp;




btw- your springs don't quite give 3"s, do they?

[Leah]

These are amazing photos and step-by-step instructions. Having never been under the VX before, I still feel as if I could do this myself if I wanted to because of your excellent format of simplicity. This is one for the manual!

[Moncha]

I agree with Leah, great job!

[niv_d]

After doing this procedure several times I must say that this is an excellent description! And very helpful pictures.
2 suggestions if I may add:
Disconnecting the stabilizer from the rear axel before pulling out the shocks.
Using a jack under the lower A arm to support it before disconnecting the ball joint (so it wouldn’t drop too low)
Great job of documenting the procedure!

[Triathlete]

Thanks! It is a very easy procedure (I am EXTREMELY mechanically disfunctional). I actually did use the jack under the "A" arm since I didn't want to damage the brake lines.
Not sure of the exact amount of lift...I sort of forgot to measure before I started. Thanks to everyone on the board who inspired me to attempt this on my own. Bob (VXCAVER) thanks for stopping by and keeping me company! Not much into fast turns...but most deffinately will enjoy the extra benifits when off roading! Testing it out next weekend (Here) and your all invited

[VXcaver]

(I am EXTREMELY mechanically disfunctional).

Naw, it didn't show! I'm callin' on you when its time for my lift! I'll need to borrow that giant hammer, too!

[SPAZZ]

DON"T FORGET to get the alignment done after you do this...as your camber has changed....

[TucsonVX]

Like the info Billy

Will be doing the same mods soon.

[VCAMILO]

It took me about 5.5 hrs due to the fact that I did not have all the tools listed. I assumed my buddy had all of that in his garage. I was missing the 22mm and 19mm wrenches (20 bucks). So I waisted 10 minutes looking for tools and 30 minute driving to buy the wrenches. An hour later I was using a rubber hammer.rods, rocks, car jacks, etc... to try to get the arm loose from the ball joint. NOTHING WORKED!!! So after one hour I drove another 30 minutes to buy the 4lb hammer (12 bucks). With the hammer it only took 1 minute. With all the tools and a friend I could have done it under 2 hours. Pictures? Pictures? they are coming. I'm getting my All Terrain tires put on today. ;Dr;

[VX922]

Nice job

[kpaske]

Am I the only one who can't see all the pictures in this howto? I would like to do the ball joint flip, and this description is awesome, but I can only see about half the pics.

Is it just me, or have the links gone down?

[Triathlete]

All links are on the same host (AOL). Try right clicking on them and then click "show picture". Hopefully that will work.

[kpaske]

Nope, I tried that and I still can't see them. I even tried copying the URL to another browser page and they won't come up that way either. Funny thing is that I see about half of them, but the other ones (and it's always the same ones) give me that icon with the red X.

Maybe someone who can see them could save the webpage and zip it with the files and e-mail it to me? Puhlease?

[Triathlete]

Hmmm, I don't know whats up with that