New track control arm but still loads of play

[weazgti]

So I replaced the track control arm due to shed loads of play in the rear bush and also the sleeve threw the middle for absolutely no change whatsoever. Have used a torque wrench and tightened to 130nm but I can actually see a gap at the top of the bush which means it knocks every now and again.
Is there some sort of spacer or washer missing? Nothing in Haynes manual drawings to say there is anything missing

[weazgti]

Would it be safe to just put a washer in?

[nightroamer]

nothing missing should torque up nicely, is the subframe section damaged? bent away from the body?

[weazgti]

 Hmm..Ill have to have a look in the morning. Didn't think of that.
What do reckon the chances of bending it back are? I do remember when I put an ok ish arm in for mot I really had to fight the old one out so there is a good possibility I bent it a tad.

[gazareth]

I have a feeling your torque wrench is a bit out of tune. when the bolt is torqued up properly it should easily pull the subframe back in to line and close up any gaps.

[weazgti]

 It was damn tight getting it to that torque and the torque wrench has only been used bout 4 times since new. Was almost pulling the car forwards waiting for it to click.
 whilst tightening I was scared of spinning the captive nut after reading horror stories about it.

[gazareth]

but the subframe steel is not that thick and should pull in easily below the wishbone bush. I would take out the bolt clean the threads spotless. copper grease it and try again. failing that your subframe must be way out of line or you got wrong wishbone.

[weazgti]

Had another look earlier and I can rock the wheel with loads of play in the bush as if its not tight enough.
I sort of ignored the torque wrench clicking off and there is still quite a bit of tightening to be had if that makes sense. Ill go with what you say and pull the bolt back out and clean the threads and see what it's like then

[Diamond Hell]

If you've fitted the sleeve thing in there you may find that's holding things apart.

Take out the sleeve and see how things are.

Best advice is fit MKI TT bushes to the rear of the lower control arms - they press right in and will make things much pointier.

Can help with pressing in if needed.

[gazareth]

the sleeve is so thin it would just crush so that wont be making the gap. don't stress about the captive nut. they are pretty strong and usually break when undoing bolt. whichever way you look at it that bolt needs to be tight. so if you clean threads and oil them and torque it right it should be sound.