Control arm — removal, inspection and installation
Removal
1. Loosen the wheel lug nuts on the side to be dismantled, raise the front of the vehicle, support it securely on jack stands and remove the wheel. Disconnect the stabilizer bar link from the control arm (see Strut assembly (front) — removal, inspection and installation).
2. Remove the bolt and two nuts securing the ball joint to the control arm. Use a prybar to disconnect the control arm from the steering knuckle (see illustrations).
i. 2a to detach the control arm from the steering knuckle ball joint, remove this bolt and these two nuts…
i. 2b… and pry the control arm and ball joint apart with a large prybar or screwdriver
3. Support the subframe with a floor jack, then refer to Subframe, front — removal and installation to unbolt and lower the subframe. Keep in mind that it isn’t necessary to completely remove the subframe, but lower it just enough to allow removal of the control arm fasteners.
4. Slowly lower the subframe with the floor jack just enough to remove the front and rear control arm mounting fasteners (see illustrations).
i. 4a Control arm front mounting fastener location
i. 4b Control arm rear mounting fastener
5. Remove the control arm.
Inspection
6. Check the control arm for distortion and the bushings for wear, replacing parts as necessary. Do not attempt to straighten a bent control arm.
Installation
Note: Before tightening the pivot bolt, raise the outer end of the control arm with a floor jack to simulate normal ride height.
7. Installation is the reverse of removal. Tighten all of the fasteners to the torque values listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.
8. Install the wheel and lug nuts, lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts to the torque listed in the Tune-up and routine maintenance Specifications.
9. It’s a good idea to have the front wheel alignment checked and, if necessary, adjusted after this job has been performed.