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

Special Tools
999 5481
999 5482
999 5483

Note! The steel control arm with integral ball joint was introduced on cars manufactured from and including January 1994. The ball joint cannot be replaced separately.

Removing control arm
Remove:





- the wheel
- control arm screws and nuts in the sub-frame and in the stub axle
- control arm

Note! If the joint pinion is difficult to insert in the wheel spindle, carefully tap a chisel into the groove on the spindle.





Replacing control arm bushings
Removal

Press the bushings out
Use drift 999 5481 and counterhold 999 5482.

Installation
Install the rear bushing





Press in the bushing inner sleeve so that it is 12.5 mm (0.49 inch) outside the control arm plane.
Use drift 999 5481 and counterhold 999 5482.

Press in the front bushing





Use gauge 999 5483. Hold the gauge against the bushing inner sleeve, see illustration. If necessary; Adjust the front bushing position at A.

Note! The measurement between the bushing inner sleeves at the point the gauge is held against should be 254.5 [plusmn] 0.5 mm (10.0 [plusmn] 0.0197 inch).

Install the control arm to the sub-frame





Use new screws and nuts. Do not tighten the screws yet.
Check that the ballpoint spindle's groove lines up with the screw hole in the stub axle.
Use new locknut in the stub axle screw. Tighten to 50 Nm (36.9 ft. lbs.).

Press up the control arm to normal position





Use a jack.
Check that the car is steady on the hoist.
Alternatives: Install the wheel according to (P9). Lower the car and position it on a column lift.
Tighten control arm nuts in the sub-frame to 65 Nm (47.9 ft. lbs.). Then angle-tighten 120°.

Note! It is important for the bushing life that the control arm is tightened while under load.

Install wheel
Lubricate hub guide for rims with rustproofing agent, P/N 1161030-0 or equivalent.
Install wheel studs lightly. Tighten crosswise to 110 Nm (81.1 ft. lbs.).