Control Arm: Service and Repair

NOTE: This procedure involves removal and installation of both the lower control arm and tension strut from the vehicle.

REMOVAL
1. Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a frame contact type hoist.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly from the vehicle.





3. Remove the ball joint stud to steering knuckle attaching nut and bolt.

CAUTION: Pulling steering knuckle out from vehicle after releasing from ball joint can separate inner C/V joint. Refer to Axle Shaft Assembly, Constant Velocity Type. When lower control arm is separated from steering knuckle, do not let ball joint seal hit up against steering knuckle. If ball joint seal hits steering knuckle, seal damage may occur. If ball joint seal becomes torn, replace seal before assembling lower control arm to knuckle.





4. Carefully insert a pry bar between lower control arm and steering knuckle. Push down on pry bar to separate ball joint stud from steering knuckle.





5. Remove tension strut to cradle attaching nut and washer from end of tension strut. When removing tension strut nut, keep strut from turning by holding tension strut at flat using open end wrench. Discard tension strut to cradle retaining nut. A NEW tension strut to cradle nut must be used when installing tension strut.





6. Loosen and remove lower control arm pivot bushing to cradle assembly pivot bolt.





7. Separate lower control arm and tension strut from the cradle as an assembly. Lower control arm is removed from cradle, by first removing pivot bushing from cradle and then sliding tension strut out of isolator bushing. Refer to TENSION STRUT in Disassembly and Assembly for the required procedure.





8. Inspect lower control arm and tension strut for distortion. Check all bushings for signs of sever deterioration. Replace any bushings that show signs of sever deterioration.

INSTALLATION
1. Install the lower control arm and tension strut on the cradle using the following sequence. Install tension strut and isolator bushing into cradle first, then install lower control arm pivot bushing into bracket on cradle.
2. Install the lower control arm to cradle bracket attaching pivot bolt and nut. Do not tighten the lower control arm to cradle bracket attaching bolt at this time.
3. Install washer on end of tension strut. Install a NEW tension strut to cradle bracket nut, on tension strut. Tighten the tension strut to cradle bracket retaining nut to a torque of 130 Nm (95 ft. lbs.). When torquing tension strut nut, keep tension strut from turning by holding tension strut at flat using an open end wrench.

CAUTION: Pulling steering knuckle out from vehicle after releasing from ball joint can separate inner C/V joint. Refer to Axle Shaft Assembly, Constant Velocity Type. When ball joint stud is installed into steering knuckle, do not let ball joint seal hit up against steering knuckle. If ball joint seal hits steering knuckle, seal damage may occur. If ball joint seal becomes torn, replace seal before assembling lower control arm to knuckle.

4. Install lower ball joint stud into steering knuckle. Install steering knuckle to lower ball joint stud, clamp bolt and nut into steering knuckle. Tighten the clamping bolt to a torque of 55 Nm (40 ft. lbs.).
5. Install the wheel and tire assembly.
6. Tighten the wheel mounting stud nuts in proper sequence until all nuts are torqued to half specification. Then repeat the tightening sequence to the full specified torque of 129 Nm (95 ft. lbs.).
7. Lower vehicle so the suspension is supporting vehicles weight (control arm at design height). Tighten the lower control arm pivot bushing to cradle bracket attaching bolt to a torque of 142 Nm (105 ft. lbs.).