Lower Control Arm Replacement

Lower Control Arm Replacement

^ Tools Required
- J 24319-B Steering Linkage and Tie Rod Puller

Removal Procedure
1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tire and the wheel.
3. Remove the torsion bar from the lower control arm.
4. Remove the steering linkage shield.
5. Remove the stabilizer shaft link from the lower control arm.





6. Remove the stabilizer shaft bracket bolts.
7. Lower the stabilizer shaft.





8. Remove the shock absorber lower mounting bolt.
9. Compress shock absorber.





10. Remove the wheel drive shaft retaining nut and washer.





11. Disengage the wheel drive shaft from the wheel hub and bearing. Place a brass drift against the outer end of the wheel drive shaft in order to protect the wheel drive shaft threads. Sharply strike the brass drift with a hammer. Do not attempt to remove the wheel drive shaft from the wheel hub and bearing at this time.
12. Remove the front brake rotor.





13. Remove the wheel speed sensor wiring harness and brake hose bracket mounting nut and bolt from the upper control arm.
14. Remove the wheel speed sensor wiring harness bracket from the frame.
15. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor electrical connection.





16. Remove the outer tie rod cotter pin and retaining nut.
17. Remove the outer tie rod from the steering knuckle using J 24319-B.





18. Remove the upper ball joint cotter pin and retaining nut.
19. Using a pry bar, placed under the upper control arm and on top of the frame, pry upward.
20. With the aid of a helper, carefully hammer on the steering knuckle in the area of the upper ball joint stud in order to release the stud from the steering knuckle.
21. Remove the lower ball joint cotter pin and retaining nut.
22. Using J 43631 separate the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle.
23. Remove the steering knuckle.





24. Remove the lower control arm to the crossmember and the frame bracket mounting nuts and bolts.
25. Remove the lower control arm from the frame.

Installation Procedure

Important: Install the front leg of the lower control arm into the crossmember before installing the rear leg into the frame bracket.





1. Install the lower control arm to the crossmember and to the frame bracket.
2. Install the lower control arm mounting bolts in the direction shown.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

3. Install the lower control arm mounting nuts.
^ Tighten the nuts with the lower control arm at the proper trim height.
^ Tighten the nuts and the bolts with the front suspension loaded.
^ Tighten the lower control arm front nut and the rear nut to 110 Nm (81 ft. lbs.).
4. Install the steering knuckle to the lower ball joint.
5. Install the lower ball joint retaining nut.
Tighten the lower ball joint retaining nut to 108 Nm (79 ft. lbs.).





6. Install a new cotter pin to the lower ball joint retaining nut.
7. Install the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle.
8. Install the upper ball joint retaining nut.
Tighten the upper ball joint retaining nut to 83 Nm (61 ft. lbs.).
9. Install a new cotter pin to the upper ball joint retaining nut.





10. Install the outer tie rod to the steering knuckle.
11. Install the outer tie rod retaining nut.
Tighten the outer tie rod retaining nut to 53 Nm (39 ft. lbs.).
12. Install a new cotter pin to the outer tie rod retaining nut.
13. Connect the wheel speed sensor electrical connection.
14. Install the wheel speed sensor wiring harness bracket to the frame.





15. Install the wheel speed sensor wiring harness and brake hose bracket mounting nut and bolt to the upper control arm.
Tighten the wheel speed sensor wiring harness and brake hose bracket mounting nut to 22 Nm (16 ft. lbs.).
16. Remove the front brake rotor.





17. Install the wheel drive shaft retaining nut and washer.
Tighten the wheel drive shaft retaining nut to 140 Nm (103 ft. lbs.).





18. Install the shock absorber lower mounting bolt.
Tighten the shock absorber lower mounting bolt to 73 Nm (54 ft. lbs.).
19. Raise the stabilizer shaft.





20. Install the stabilizer shaft bracket bolts.
Tighten the stabilizer shaft bracket bolts to 65 Nm (48 ft. lbs.).
21. Install the stabilizer shaft link to the lower control arm.
22. Install the steering linkage shield.
23. Install the torsion bar.
24. Install the tire and the wheel.
25. Lower the vehicle.
26. Check the front wheel alignment.