Installation

FRONT SUSPENSION

LOWER CONTROL ARM

INSTALLATION
(1) Position rear of lower control arm into front suspension crossmember first, then install front of lower control arm in front suspension crossmember. Install bolts and nuts attaching front and rear of lower control arm to front suspension crossmember (Fig. 27) (Fig. 26). Do not tighten front attaching bolt at this time. Tighten lower control arm rear attaching nut and bolt (Fig. 26) to 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.).
(2) Install lower control arm ball joint stud into steering knuckle. Install the steering knuckle to ball joint stud castle nut (Fig. 21). Do not tighten nut at this time.

CAUTION: When installing tie rod on steering knuckle, the heat shield (Fig. 35) must be installed. If heat shield is not installed, tie rod seal boot can fail due to excessive heat from brake rotor.

Fig.35 Torquing Tie Rod End Attaching Nut:

(3) Install outer tie rod stud into steering knuckle. Start outer tie rod-to-steering knuckle attaching nut onto tie rod stud. While holding stud of tie rod end stationary, tighten nut using a crowfoot and socket (Fig. 35). Tighten nut to 55 Nm (40 ft. lbs.).
(4) Tighten lower control arm ball joint castle nut to 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.). Install cotter pin (Fig. 21).
(5) Position stabilizer bar link into its lower control arm mounting hole.
(6) Align stabilizer bar bushing clamp with mounting holes in front suspension crossmember and body of vehicle. Install and tighten bushing clamp mounting bolts to 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 25).
(7) Install and tighten stabilizer bar link-to-lower control arm nut to 105 Nm (77 ft. lbs.). When tightening nut, hold stud of link from turning using an Allen wrench (Fig. 24).
(8) Align shock absorber clevis with bushing in lower control arm and install thru-bolt and nut (Fig. 23). Do not tighten nut at this time.

CAUTION: When supporting lower control arm with jack stand, do not position jack stand under the ball joint cap on the lower control arm. Position stand in area of lower control arm shown (Fig. 36).

Fig.36 Supporting Lower Control Arm With Jack Stand:

(9) Position a jack stand under lower control arm, so that when arm is lowered onto it, vehicle will be at curb height (Fig. 36).
(10) Lower vehicle with jack stand positioned under lower control arm (Fig. 36). Continue to lower vehicle until total weight of that corner of vehicle is supported by jack stand and lower control arm.

CAUTION: When tightening the thru-bolt and nut, do not turn the bolt in the clevis. The serrations on the bolt and the hole in the clevis will be damaged.

(11) With the vehicle's suspension at curb height, tighten the clevis-to-lower control arm bushing thru-bolt nut (Fig. 23) to 92 Nm (68 ft. lbs.).
(12) Tighten front lower control arm nut and bolt (Fig. 27) to 142 Nm (104 ft. lbs.).
(13) Raise vehicle and remove jack stand from under lower control arm.
(14) Install wheel and tire assembly. Install wheel mounting (lug) nuts and progressively tighten in proper sequence to 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).
(15) Lower vehicle.
(16) Check wheel alignment and set front toe to preferred specifications.