Front Suspension

Lower Control Arm Replacement

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
2. Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).





Important: DO NOT re-use the lower ball joint bolt. Discard and use NEW only.

3. Remove the lower ball joint to knuckle nut and bolt.
4. Separate the lower control arm from the knuckle.
5. If removing the left lower control arm and the vehicle is equipped with the 4T45-E transmission, remove the left side transmission mount. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side (2.4 (LAT/LE5) With ME7/MN5) (Service and Repair).
6. If removing the right lower control arm and the vehicle is equipped with the 3.5L engine, remove the right engine mount. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement .




7. Remove the front lower control arm bolt.




8. Remove the rear lower control arm bushing nuts and bolts. Refer to Front Lower Control Arm Bushing Replacement (Service and Repair).




9. Remove the lower control arm from the front frame.

Installation Procedure




1. Position the lower control arm in the cradle.




2. Install and hand tighten the rear lower control arm bushing nuts and bolts.




3. Install and hand tighten the front lower control arm bolt.





Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

4. Install the ball joint to knuckle bolt and nut.

* Tighten the ball joint bolt and nut to 50 Nm (37 lb ft).
* Reverse the nut 3/4 of a turn.
* Tighten to 50 Nm (37 lb ft) plus 30 degrees.

5. Load the front suspension with the proper jack stand before tightening the bolts to specifications.
6. Tighten the front lower control arm bolt and tighten to 50 Nm (37 lb ft) plus 90 degrees.
7. Tighten the rear bushing to frame bolts and tighten to 50 Nm (37 lb ft) plus 90 degrees.
8. Remove the jack stand.
9. For vehicles equipped with the 4T45-E transmission, install the left side transmission mount. Refer to Transmission Mount Replacement - Left Side (2.4 (LAT/LE5) With ME7/MN5) (Service and Repair).
10. For vehicles equipped with the 3.5L engine, install the right side engine mount. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement .
11. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
12. Verify wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications (Specifications).
13. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.