Front Suspension

Lower Control Arm Replacement

^ Tools Required
- J 41820 Ball Stud/Joint Separator

Removal Procedure

Notice: Use only the recommended tools for separating the ball joint from the knuckle. Do NOT hammer or pry the ball joint from the knuckle. Failure to use the recommended tools may cause damage to the ball joint and seal.

Important: Use the ignition key in order to unlock the steering column.

1. Turn the steering wheel in order to move the front of the applicable wheel to the outboard most position in order to allow for tool access to the lower control arm ball stud nut.

Important: Use only a frame-contact type vehicle lift or a floor jack at the recommended lift points. Do NOT use a suspension-contact type vehicle lift. Do NOT lift the front of the vehicle by the lower control arms.

2. Raise and support the vehicle.
3. Remove the tire and wheel.





4. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor wiring harness from the lower control arm.
5. Remove the stabilizer shaft link.





6. Remove the cotter pin (1) from the ball stud (3).
7. Loosen the ball stud nut. Do not remove the ball stud nut.





8. Install the J 41820 over the ball stud nut and the steering knuckle as shown.
9. Rotate the ball stud nut counterclockwise in order to separate the ball stud from the steering knuckle.





10. Remove the lower control arm bolts and nuts.
11. Remove the lower control arm.

Installation Procedure





1. Install the lower control arm.
2. Install the control arm bolts and nuts. Hand tighten only.

Important: Align the ball stud cotter pin hole parallel to the knuckle in order to ease the cotter pin installation.

3. Install the ball stud to the knuckle.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

4. Install the ball stud castle nut.
^ Tighten the ball stud castle nut to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.) plus 135°.





Important: Do not loosen the ball stud nut in order to align the ball stud nut slots to the ball stud cotter pin hole.

5. If necessary, tighten the ball stud castle nut in order to align the ball stud castle nut slot (1) to the ball stud cotter pin hole (2) as shown.





6. Important: Ensure that the cotter pin ends do not contact the ABS sensor connector or the drive axle.

Install a new cotter pin and bend the ends as shown in either example.
7. Install the stabilizer shaft link.





8. Install the wheel speed sensor harness to the lower control arm.

Important: This is a prevailing torque type fastener. This fastener may be reused only if:
^ The fastener and its counterpart are clean and free from rust
^ The fastener develops 3 Nm (27 inch lbs.) of torque (drag) against its counterpart prior to the fastener seating
^ If the fastener does not meet these criteria, REPLACE the fastener.

9. Install the lower control arm nuts.
^ Tighten the lower control arm nuts to 98 Nm (72 ft. lbs.).
10. Install the tire and wheel.
11. Lower the vehicle.