Front Suspension

Lower Control Arm Replacement (RWD)

Special Tools

J 43631 Ball Joint Remover


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) .
3. Remove the stabilizer shaft link lower retaining nut.
4. Remove the stabilizer shaft link from the lower control arm.

Important: Step 5 is for rear wheel drive (RWD) vehicles only.


5. Remove the shock assembly lower retaining bolts. Refer to Shock Absorber and Spring Assembly Replacement (Shock Absorber and Spring Assembly Replacement) .

Important: Step 6 is for all wheel drive (AWD) vehicles only.


6. Remove the shock absorber yoke from the lower control arm. Refer to Front Shock Absorber Yoke Replacement (Front Shock Absorber Yoke Replacement) .
7. Remove the outer tie rod to the steering knuckle retaining nut. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement (with Rear Wheel Drive) (Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement (with Rear Wheel Drive))Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement (with All Wheel Drive) (Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement (with All Wheel Drive)) .




8. Remove the ABS wire harness from the lower control arm.




9. Remove the front and rear lower control arm mounting nuts.
10. Remove the front and rear lower control arm mounting bolts.
11. Lower and support the lower arm control to gain access to the lower ball joint.




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




13. Using J 43631 separate the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle.
14. Remove the lower control arm from the vehicle.



Installation Procedure





1. Install the lower control arm to the vehicle.
2. Install the lower control arm mounting bolts.
3. Adjust the lower control arm to Z height. Refer to Trim Height Specifications (Trim Height Specifications) .

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice (Fastener Notice) .

4. Install the front lower control arm mounting nut and bolt.

Tighten the front bolt to 200 N.m (148 lb ft).

5. Install the rear lower control arm mounting nut and bolt.

Tighten the rear bolt to 320 N.m (236 lb ft).





6. Install the ABS wire harness to the lower control arm.




7. Connect the lower ball joint to the steering knuckle.
8. Install a new lower ball joint retaining nut.
9. Tighten the lower ball joint retaining nut in the following order:

1. Tighten the nut to 40 N.m (30 lb ft).
2. Tighten the nut to an additional 120 degree turn.






10. Connect the outer tie rod to the steering knuckle.
11. Install the outer tie rod retaining nut. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement (with Rear Wheel Drive) (Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement (with Rear Wheel Drive))Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement (with All Wheel Drive) (Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement (with All Wheel Drive)) .

Important: Step 13 is for rear wheel drive (RWD) vehicles only.


12. Remove the shock assembly lower retaining bolts. Refer to Shock Absorber and Spring Assembly Replacement (Shock Absorber and Spring Assembly Replacement) .

Important: Step 14 is for all wheel drive (AWD) vehicles only.


13. Remove the shock absorber yoke from the lower control arm. Refer to Front Shock Absorber Yoke Replacement (Front Shock Absorber Yoke Replacement) .





Important: Apply threadlocker 242 or equivalent to the threads of the stabilizer shaft link.


14. Install the stabilizer shaft link to the lower control arm.
15. Install the stabilizer shaft link retaining nut. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (AWD) (Front Suspension)Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (RWD) (Front Suspension) .
16. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair) .
17. Lower the vehicle.
18. Align the front end. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement (Service and Repair) .