Front

Replacing Control Arm (Steel) and / or Control Arm Bushings


Replacing the Front Control Arm

Special Tools:
- 999 5562

NOTE: As the illustrations in this service information are used for different model years and / or models, some variation may occur. However, the essential information in the illustrations is always correct.

Preparations

- Remove the wheel.







Cleaning around the ball joint.

- Blow clean around the ball joint with compressed air. Generously spray the ball joint and the screw and nut retaining the ball joint using rust penetrator.







Removing the ball joint from the wheel spindle.

NOTE: Do not insert a screwdriver or punch between the "ears " on the wheel spindle.

- If the screw has rusted solid, slacken off the nut a few turns. Knock the screw so that it loosens. Remove the screw and the nut. Spray the ball joint with rust penetrator again.







NOTE: The inner diameter of the socket must be larger than the outer diameter of the cover. This is to prevent damage to the cover.

- Tap the ball joint off the wheel spindle. Use a socket as a spacer. Spray the ball joint with rust penetrator again.

- Move the ball joint up and down by hand ( or a jimmy bar can be used ) until the ball joint detaches from the wheel spindle.

- Install protective socket 999 5562 on the ball joint.

- Withdraw the drive shaft from the hub. Twist the spring strut to one side. Hang the driveshaft so that the control arm is not in contact with the drive shafts.







Removing the Control Arm

- Remove:
- The plastic cover.
- The screws and the nuts for the control arm in the sub-frame.
- The control arm.








Installing the Control Arm

- Install the control arm on the sub-frame. Use new screws and nuts. Do not tighten the screws yet. Check that the groove on the ball joint spindle lines up with the screw hole in the wheel spindle.

NOTE: Press the ball joint upwards so that the conical top is visible above the screwed joint on the wheel spindle.

- Use a new locknut in the spindle screw. Tighten to 50 Nm. Install the plastic cover.

- Lower the car. Press the control arm up to the normal position. Use a jack.

WARNING: Always check that the car does not lift from the lifting arms of the car lift when working with the jack.

Alternatives: Install the wheel. Lower the car and position it on a column lift.

Tighten the control arm nuts in the sub-frame. Tighten to 65 NM. Then angle-tighten 120°.

NOTE: It is important for the bushing life that the control arm is tightened while under load.

Install the wheel.