Preloading Suspension (Clocking Bushings)
 

I'm installing springs which changes the ride height slightly.
I've heard the suspension should be preloaded before torquing all the bolts down.

The method is to have the car on jack stands and place a jack under the rotor or lca and jack the suspension up about 1/2" off the jack stands, thus putting load onto the suspension as if it was on the ground.

My question is do I jack up only the corner I'm working on (with 3 other corners resting on the ground)? or could the whole axle be on jack stands, meaning the opposite side would also be in the air (with no load)?

the only thing that would mater from side to side is the sway bar as its linked too the other side. also there might not be enough weight to properly preload the suspension

anyways i jack up my car and rest it on jackstand on the LCAs to put load on it (front then back) and then have jack stands under the pinch points "incase"

im pretty surprised how few do this and then are confused why all their bushings are shot.

That's a good idea.

So I can have the entire front or back on jack stands and preload a corner at a time with the opposite corner in the air unloaded?

I had everything snugged with all 4 corners on jack stands, then raised each corner with a jack under the hub to roughly ride height. After that I jam a jack stand under the frame rail for safety and torque everything. I'm not 100% sure that's the correct method but from what I was able to find it should work.

Nothing to add as both suggestions will work. I'm just glad you brought it up cause a lot of people neglect to install bushings properly.

Have one end on jack stands and then lower the other end on to ramps to load the suspension.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k9...rontLCA_08.jpg

This is ideal but restricts certain areas like your upper control arms. Like I said before, front to back is best because you get appropriate weight needed to preload or do something similar to the picture above. That ensures the cars weight will be used effectively

I get what you mean by corner to corner, but some cars just flex, others will liff the whole car so it's hard to say how effective it will be.