Control Arm: Service and Repair

REMOVAL

CAUTION: MAKE SURE VEHICLE IS PROPERLY SUPPORTED AND SQUARELY POSITIONED ON HOIST. TO HELP AVOID PERSONAL INJURY, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO THE OPPOSITE END OF THE VEHICLE THAT COMPONENTS WILL BE REMOVED FROM.





1. Raise vehicle on hoist.
2. Remove road wheel.
3. Remove and discard lower control arm ball stud cotter pin.
4. Loosen lower control arm ball stud castle nut, until top of castle nut is level with top of ball stud.

NOTICE: Care must be taken to prevent damage to the speed sensor ring on ABS vehicles. Minor surface damage to the speed sensor ring can result in ABS system malfunctions.

NOTICE: Do not attempt to separate the joint using a wedge-type tool because the seal may be damaged.





5. Using Lower Control Arm Ball Stud Separator SA9132S (or equivalent), separate lower control arm from knuckle.
6. Remove lower control arm ball stud castle nut.





7. Remove front inner fender splash shield.
a. Remove two push pins.

IMPORTANT: If molded-in fasteners are damaged or broken, drill out with a 5/16 inch bit and replace with a push pin.

b. Remove lower shield to cradle molded-in fasteners at cradle by gently prying at three fastener locations.
LEFT SIDE
Remove front section of splash shield first, then rear.
RIGHT SIDE
Remove rear section of splash shield first, then front.





8. Remove the lower control arm-to-cradle fastener.
9. Remove front stabilizer shaft nut at lower control arm.
10. Remove lower control arm from vehicle.

INSTALLATION

1. Install control arm onto front stabilizer shaft.

IMPORTANT: Do not install nut at this time.

2. Position end of control arm into the cradle and install fastener.
Bolt:
Torque: 125 Nm (92 ft. lbs.)
Nut:
Torque: 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.)
3. Install control arm-to-front stabilizer shaft fastener nut.
Torque: 144 Nm (106 ft. lbs.)

IMPORTANT: Lower control arm ball stud threads should be thoroughly cleaned and lubricated before installing and tightening nut.

IMPORTANT: If necessary to rotate castle nut to orient it to hole in the stud, always tighten nut; never loosen it.





4. Connect ball stud to steering knuckle with fastener. Torque and install new cotter pin.
Torque: 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.)

IMPORTANT: On left side, install rear section of splash shield first, then front. On right side, install front section of splash shield first, then rear.





5. Install front inner fender splash shield.
6. Install tabs in body cut-out.

IMPORTANT: Make sure splash shield flaps are tucked in at body locations.

7. Align molded-in shield fasteners with holes in cradle. Push straight in to install.
8. Install push pins.

NOTICE: Before installing wheels, remove rust or corrosion from wheel mounting surfaces and brake rotors/drums. Failure to do so can cause wheel nuts to loosen in service.

9. Position wheel onto hub.
10. Install wheel nuts and tighten in a crisscross pattern. Repeat tightening pattern to make sure torque is correct.
Torque: 140 Nm (103 ft. lbs.)
11. Lower vehicle from hoist.
12. Perform vehicle wheel alignment.