Front Lower Control Arm - Removal

REMOVAL

Special Tools:










1. Raise and support vehicle Maintenance.
2. Remove wheel mounting nuts (3), then tire and wheel assembly (1).
3. Remove belly pan Belly Pan - Removal





4. Remove screws (1) fastening stabilizer bar heat shield (3) on side of control arm repair.





5. Remove bolts (2) fastening stabilizer bar bushing retainer (1) in place on side of control arm repair.





6. Remove retainer halves (1)(2) from around stabilizer bar bushing (3).





7. Utilizing slit, remove bushing (1) from stabilizer bar (2).






NOTE: In the following step, the lower control arm cradle bolt (3) is accessed through the opening (2) created by removal of the bushing from the stabilizer bar (4).







CAUTION: If the lower control arm bolt at the engine cradle has a lengthwise grooved shaft (2), it is a special wheel alignment adjustment bolt and the bolt head (1) must not be rotated in the vehicle or damage to the bolt and engine cradle will result. While holding the bolt in place with a wrench, remove the nut, then slide the bolt out of the bushing and cradle taking note of bolt positioning in engine cradle and control arm for reassembly purposes. The bolt needs to be installed in the same position as removed to make sure wheel camber and caster return to adjusted position.






8. Remove bolt and nut (1) securing lower control arm (2) to engine cradle. If bolt has a lengthwise grooved shaft (see above note), remove bolt and nut by holding the bolt in place with a wrench, removing nut, then sliding bolt out of bushing and cradle while taking note of bolt positioning in lower control arm bushing for reassembly purposes.





9. Remove bolt (3) securing shock assembly (1) to lower control arm (4).





10. Remove screw (3) fastening wheel speed sensor to knuckle (1). Pull sensor head (4) out of knuckle.
11. Remove wheel speed sensor cable routing clip (2) from brake flex hose routing bracket (5).





12. Loosen nut (5) attaching ball joint stud to lower control arm (4). Back nut off until nut is even with end of stud. Keeping nut on at this location will help keep end of stud from distorting while using Puller in next step.






CAUTION: In following step, use care not to damage ball joint seal boot while sliding Puller, Special Tool , into place past seal boot.

13. Using Puller (1), Special Tool , separate ball joint stud (2) from lower control arm.





14. Remove nut (5) from end of ball joint stud attaching lower control arm to knuckle.
15. Pry knuckle downward and slide ball joint stud out of lower control arm. Position knuckle outward, away from lower control arm.
16. Slide lower control arm out of engine cradle and remove from vehicle.