Installation

INSTALL

NOTE: If the left lower control arm is being installed on the vehicle the front suspension cradle needs to be lowered for the pivot bolt to clear the transaxle.

Lower Control Arm Bushing Pivot Bolt Correctly Installed:

1. Position lower control arm assembly into front suspension cradle. If installing the left lower control arm, pry down on the left front corner of the suspension cradle until the pivot bolt clears the end of the transaxle. Install pivot bolt attaching front bushing of lower control arm to front suspension cradle. Do not tighten or torque Divot bolt at this time.

Installing Lower Control Arm Rear Bushing Retainer:

2. Install retainer attaching rear bushing of lower control arm to front suspension cradle. When installing retainer, be sure raised rib on rear bushing is positioned in the groove on the retainer. Do not torque attaching bolts at this time.

NOTE: If reference marks were not put on the frame rails prior to lowering the suspension cradle, Refer to Body and Frame.

3. Raise the front suspension cradle against the front frame rails. Align the cradle with the reference marks on the frame rails.
4. Tighten the 4 mounting bolts for the front suspension cradle to a torque of 163 Nm (120 ft. lbs.).
5. Install lower control arm ball joint stud into steering knuckle. Then install the bolt and nut, clamping the steering knuckle to the ball joint stud. Tighten the clamping bolt to a torque of 145 Nm (105 ft. lbs.).
6. Install the cradle plate on front suspension cradle and then install the 10 cradle plate to cradle attaching bolts. Tighten the 9 M-14 attaching bolts to a torque of 165 Nm (123 ft. lbs.). Tighten the 1 M-12 attaching bolt to a torque of 108 Nm (80 ft. lbs.).

Jack Stands Supporting Vehicle Weight:

CAUTION: When locating jack stands under lower control arm, do not place the jack stands under the ball joints.

7. Position jack stands under the lower control arms as close to the ball joints as possible. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands, until the jack stands are supporting the total weight of the vehicle.
8. Tighten front lower control arm pivot bolt to a torque of 183 Nm (135 ft. lbs.) first, then tighten rear lower control arm bushing retainer attaching bolts to a torque of 68 Nm (50 ft. lbs.).
9. Install the wheel/tire assembly on the vehicle.
10. Install and tighten the wheel mounting stud nuts in proper sequence until all nuts are torqued to half specification. Then repeat the tightening sequence to the full specified torque of 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).
11. Remove jack stands and lower vehicle to the ground.