Front Lower

Lower Control Arm Replacement
- Tools Required
- J43828 Ball Joint Separator
Removal Procedure

Notice: Use only the recommended tools for separating the ball joint from the knuckle. Failure to use the recommended tools may cause damage to the ball joint and seal.

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tire and wheel.





3. Disconnect the stabilizer link to control arm bolt.





4. Remove the cotter pin (1).Loosen the nut (2) from the ball stud.

Notice: Care must be exercised to prevent Tri-Pot joints from being over-extended. When either end of the shaft is disconnected, over-extension of the joint could result in separation of internal components and possible joint failure. Drive axle joint seal protectors should be used any time service is performed on or near the drive axles. Failure to observe this can result in interior joint or seal damage and possible joint failures.





5. Using J43828 remove the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle.





6. Remove the control arm mounting bolts.
7. Remove the control arm from the frame.

Installation Procedure





1. Install the lower control arm to the frame.

Important: Do not tighten the control arm nuts at this time. Before tightening the control arm mounting nuts, support the weight of the vehicle by the control arms in order to obtain the vehicle design trim heights.

2. Install the lower bolts, control arm and nuts.
3. Connect the stabilizer link to the control arm.
4. Connect to ball joint to the knuckle.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

5. Install the cotter pin.
- Tighten the stabilizer shaft link assembly nut to 17 Nm (13 ft. lbs.)
- Tighten the lower ball joint retaining nut to 10 Nm (88 inch lbs.). Then tighten the two flats to a minimum of 55 Nm (41 ft. lbs.) in order to align the cotter pin slot.

6. Lower the vehicle and support the lower control arm with a jackstand to set the control arm bushings into the normal position.
7. Tighten the control arm bolts in the following sequence:
7.1. Tighten the rear mounting bolt to 158 Nm (117 ft. lbs.).
7.2. Tighten the front mounting nut to 158 Nm (117 ft. lbs.).

8. Install the wheel and tire.
9. Lower the vehicle.
10. Check suspension alignment.