Lower Control Arm Replacement

Lower Control Arm Replacement

Removal Procedure

Warning: Refer to Safety Glasses Warning (Safety Glasses Warning).


Danger: To avoid any vehicle damage, serious personal injury or death when major components are removed from the vehicle and the vehicle is supported by a hoist, support the vehicle with jack stands at the opposite end from which the components are being removed and strap the vehicle to the hoist.


1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
2. Remove the rear wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
3. Support the lower control arm using a suitable jack.





Note: Prevailing torque nuts must be discarded after removal.

4. Remove the stabilizer bar link to lower control arm retaining nut (3).
Discard the nut.
5. Disconnect the stabilizer bar link (1) from the lower control arm (2).




6. Remove the lower control arm to knuckle retaining bolt (2) and nut (1).
Discard the nut.




7. Remove the lower control arm to strut assembly retaining bolt (2) and nut (1).
Discard the nut.





Note: Do not apply pressure to the rear brake disc backing plate while levering.

8. Detach the lower control arm (1) using a suitable pry bar.
Reposition the jack as necessary.





Note: The lower control arm to subframe retaining bolt (1) and nut (2) eccentric washers (3) are used to adjust the rear suspension camber. One eccentric washer (3) is mounted directly to the head of the lower control arm to subframe retaining bolt (1).

9. Scribe the eccentric washers (3) with reference to their seating position relative to the subframe.




10. Remove the lower control arm to subframe retaining bolt (1) and nut (5).
Discard the nut.
11. Remove the lower control arm (4) from the subframe (3).

Installation Procedure




1. Install the lower control arm (4) into the subframe (3).

Note: The eccentric washers (2) must be fitted correctly in terms of their orientation and alignment marks.

Note: Do not fully tighten the lower control arm to subframe retaining bolt (1) and nut (5) at this stage.

2. Install the lower control arm to subframe retaining bolt (1).
3. Install the eccentric washer (2) and the NEW nut (5).
Do not fully tighten at this stage.




4. Connect the rear strut assembly (4) to the lower control arm (3).

Note: Do not fully tighten the lower control arm to strut assembly retaining bolt (2) and nut (1) at this stage.

5. Install the lower control arm to strut assembly retaining bolt (2) and NEW nut (1).
Do not fully tighten at this stage.




6. Connect the lower control arm (3) to the knuckle (4) using a suitable jack.

Note: Do not fully tighten the lower control arm to knuckle retaining bolt (2) and nut (1) at this stage.

7. Install the lower control arm to the knuckle retaining bolt (2) and NEW nut (1).
Do not fully tighten at this stage.




8. Connect the stabilizer bar link (1) to the lower control arm (2).

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

9. Install the stabilizer bar link to lower control arm retaining NEW nut (3) and tighten to 50 Nm (37 lb ft).
10. Install the rear wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
11. Remove the safety stands.
12. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
13. Bounce the vehicle several times to settle the suspension.





Note: The lower control arm to the subframe retaining bolt (1) and nut (2) eccentric washers (3) are used to adjust rear suspension camber.

14. Align the marks on the eccentric washers (3) with the marks on the subframe.

Note: The weight of the vehicle must be on a level surface and on all four wheels before fully tightening the nuts and bolts.

15. Install the lower control arm to subframe retaining bolt (1) and nut (2) and tighten to 175 Nm (129 lb ft).




16. Install the lower control arm to strut assembly retaining bolt (2) and nut (1) and tighten to 40 Nm (30 lb ft).
Tighten the bolt and nut a final pass 120 Degrees.




17. Install the lower control arm to knuckle retaining bolt (2) and nut (1) and tighten a first pass to 40 Nm (30 lb ft).
Tighten the bolt and nut a final pass 120 Degrees.
18. Check the wheel alignment of the vehicle. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement (Service and Repair).
19. Correct the wheel alignment of the vehicle, if necessary. Refer to Rear Camber Adjustment (Service and Repair) and Rear Toe Adjustment (Service and Repair).