Lower Control Arm Replacement

Lower Control Arm Replacement (2500)

Special Tools
* J 43631 - Ball Joint Separator
* J 45851 - Ball Joint Separator Protector Adapters

Removal Procedure

Note: For vehicles equipped with the aluminum control arm, the ball joint is NOT serviced separately. If the ball joint is found to have excessive wear and is damaged, replace the lower control arm as an assembly.

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).
3. Remove the stabilizer shaft link from the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (1500) (Service and Repair)Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (2500, 3500) (Service and Repair).
4. Remove the torsion bars. Refer to Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement (Bushing Style) (Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement (Bushing Style))Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement (Link Style) (Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement (Link Style)).
5. Remove the shock absorber. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement (2500 Series) (Shock Absorber Replacement).
6. Remove the wheel drive shaft. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement (2500) ()Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement (1500) ().




7. Remove and discard the lower ball joint retaining nut.




8. Using the J 43631 - separator and the J 45851 - adapters , remove the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle.




9. Remove the lower control arm nuts (1) and washers (2).
10. Remove the control arm bolts (3).
11. Remove the control arm (4).

Installation Procedure




1. Install the lower control arm (4).
2. Install the lower control arm bolts (3).
3. Install the washers (2).

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

4. Install the lower control arm retaining nuts (1) and tighten to 175 Nm (129 lb ft).
5. Install the lower ball joint into the steering knuckle.





Note: There two types of nuts. One with a captured washer and one without. Use only the nut that is on the vehicle.

6. Install the lower ball joint nut.

* For those vehicles with the captured washer, tighten the nut to 125 Nm (92 lb ft).
* For those vehicles without the captured washer, tighten the nut to 50 Nm plus 130 degrees (37 lb ft).

7. Install the wheel drive shaft. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement (2500) ()Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement (1500) ().
8. Install the shock absorber. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement (2500 Series) (Shock Absorber Replacement).
9. Install the torsion bars. Refer to Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement (Bushing Style) (Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement (Bushing Style))Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement (Link Style) (Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement (Link Style)).
10. Remove the support for the knuckle and upper control arm.
11. Install the stabilizer shaft link to the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (1500) (Service and Repair)Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (2500, 3500) (Service and Repair).
12. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
13. Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
14. Verify the front end alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement (Wheel Alignment Measurement).