Front Suspension

Lower Control Arm Replacement

Special Tools

J-42188-B - Ball Joint Separator

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle Service and Repair.

2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation Service and Repair.




3. Remove the lower ball joint stud cotter pin. Discard the cotter pin.

4. Loosen the ball stud nut until the nut is level with the top of the ball stud.

5. Using J-42188-B - Ball Joint Separator, separate the lower control arm from the steering knuckle.




6. Remove the lower ball joint stud nut.




7. Remove the control arm-to-frame front bolt and nut. Discard the bolt and nut.




8. Remove the control arm-to-frame rear bolts and nuts. Discard the bolts and nuts.

9. Remove the control arm.

Installation Procedure

1. Position the control arm to the cradle/frame.





Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution Fastener Caution.

2. Install new control arm-to-frame rear bolts and nuts and tighten to 70 Nm (52 lb ft).




3. Install a new arm-to-frame front bolt and nut.

Tighten:

* For vehicles equipped RPO FE1, tighten the bolts and nuts and tighten to 115 Nm + 90 degrees (85 lb ft + 90 degrees)

* For vehicles equipped RPO FE2, tighten the bolts and nuts and tighten to 190 Nm (140 lb ft)

* For vehicles equipped RPO FE3, tighten the bolts and nuts and tighten to 145 Nm (107 lb ft)




4. Position the control arm ball stud into the steering knuckle and install the nut.
Tighten the nut to 40 Nm (30 lb ft).





Note:

* Do not loosen the castle nut, only tighten to align the ball stud slot.

* Ensure that the cotter pin ends do not contact the antilock brake system (ABS) sensor harness or drive axle.

5. Continue to tighten the nut only enough to align the castle nut slots with the ball stud, install a new cotter pin.

6. Install the wheel and tire assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation Service and Repair.

7. Verify front end alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications Wheel Alignment Specifications.

8. Lower the vehicle.