When to tighten the nuts on the stabilizer bar?

[WmWatt]

Should the nuts be tightened with the wheel(s) off the ground or back on the ground?

I replaced the lower control arms at different times and noticed today one of the wheels hangs lower than the other when the front end is on jack stands. Should I try to even them up?

[mechanicaldj]

#! does not matter, easier to tighten in the air

#2 nothing to worry about, unless one side of the car is higher than the other when all 4 wheels are on the ground

[Mike McKown]

I don't know for sure about Festiva but where I worked (Ford assembly plant) and instructions in GM service manual all instruct the suspension asemblies of this nature are to be tightened at normal ride height or in the compressed position.

Otherwise, the bushings are stressed and this can lead to early failure. The three Festiva control arms I've had out look like they might fit this criteria.