B. Lower Control Arm Replacement

NOTE:
Only those vehicles that have either cuts or tears in the ball joint boot or a leaking ball joint end cover crimp, as determined by the inspection in Section "A", require lower control arm replacement. Very few vehicles are expected to require this repair.





1. Remove the cotter pin and castle nut from the lower ball joint stud (Figure 3).

2. Turn the steering knuckle so that the front of the steering knuckle is facing as far outboard in the wheel opening as possible.





3. Using a hammer, strike the steering knuckle boss until the steering knuckle separates from the lower ball joint (Figure 4).

CAUTION:
Use care when separating the ball joint from the steering knuckle so as not to damage the C/V joint boot or ABS speed sensor ring.

CAUTION:
Do not pull the steering knuckle outward after releasing it from the ball joint as this can separate the inner C/V joint.





4. Remove the shock absorber (front strut) clevis to lower control arm bushing thru-bolt (Figure 5). Separate the clevis from the lower control arm.

5. Remove the clevis bolt and then remove the clevis from the shock absorber.





6. Remove the nut that attaches the stabilizer bar link to the lower control arm (Figure 6). When removing the nut, keep the stabilizer bar link stud from turning by inserting an allen wrench into the end of the stud.





7. Remove the bolts that attach the stabilizer bar bushing clamp to the front suspension crossmember and the body of the vehicle (Figure 7).

8. Lower the stabilizer bar away from the lower control arm and the body of the vehicle.





9. Remove the nut and bolt that attach the rear of the lower control arm to the front suspension crossmember (Figure 8).





10. Remove the nut and bolt that attach the front of the lower control arm to the front suspension crossmember (Figure 9).

11. Remove the front of the lower control arm from the front suspension crossmember first.

12. Remove the rear of the lower control arm from the front suspension crossmember. Keep the lower control arm as level as possible during removal so that the rear bushing does not bind on the crossmember.

13. Position the rear of the new lower control arm into the crossmember first. Then install the front of the lower control arm into the crossmember. Loosely install the bolts and nuts that attach the front and rear of the lower control arm to the front suspension crossmember (Figures 8 and 9).

NOTE:
Be careful not to tear or cut the lower control arm ball joint boot.

14. Reinstall the clevis on the shock absorber. Loosely install the clevis bolt.

15. Install the lower control arm ball joint stud into the steering knuckle. Install the ball joint castle nut (Figure 3). Tighten the castle nut to 55 ft-lbs (74 N.m). Install a new castle nut cotter pin.

16. Position the stabilizer bar link into its lower control arm mounting hole (Figure 6).

17. Align the stabilizer bar bushing clamp with the mounting holes in the front suspension crossmember and body (Figure 7). Loosely install the bushing clamp bolts.

18. Install the stabilizer bar to lower control arm attaching nut (Figure 6).

19. Attach the shock absorber clevis to the lower control arm (Figure 5). Loosely install the clevis thru-bolt.





20. Position jack stands under the lower control arms and lower the vehicle until the weight of the vehicle is supported by the jackstands (Figure 10).

CAUTION:
When supporting the lower control arm with a jackstand, DO NOT position the jackstand under the ball joint end cover on the lower control arm.

21. Tighten the stabilizer bar to lower control arm nut to 78 ft-lbs (105 N.m) while holding the stud with an allen wrench (Figure 6).

22. Tighten the stabilizer bar bushing clamp bolts to 45 ft-lbs (61 N.m) (Figure 7).

23. Tighten the rear lower control arm nut and bolt to 80 ft-lbs (108 N.m) (Figure 8).

24. Tighten the front lower control arm nut and bolt to 135 ft-lbs (182 N.m) (Figure 9).

25. Tighten the clevis to shock absorber bolt to 68 ft-lbs (90 N.m).

26. Tighten the clevis to lower control arm bushing thru-bolt to 68 ft-lbs (90 N.m) (Figure 5).

27. Bend the lower ball joint heat shield back to its original position, if necessary.

28. If the other lower control arm also requires replacement, raise the vehicle on the hoist and repeat Steps 1 through 27.

29. Install the wheel and tire assemblies. Tighten the lug nuts to 95 ft-lbs (129 N.m).

30. Remove the jackstand(s) and lower the vehicle.

31. Check the front wheel alignment. Adjust the front Toe settings to 0.05O in. (left and right) and 0.10O in. total.