Lower Control Arm
REMOVAL1. Raise vehicle on jack stands or centered on a frame contact type hoist. Refer to Maintenance for the required lifting procedure to be used for this vehicle
2. Remove the tire and wheel from the vehicle.
NOTE: Removing the tie rod end from the steering knuckle allows the steering knuckle to be turned further. This allows better access to the steering knuckle when striking it to remove the ball joint stud from the steering knuckle.
3. Remove nut attaching the outer tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Nut is to be removed from tie rod end using the following procedure, hold tie rod end stud with a 11/32 socket while loosening and removing nut with wrench.
4. Remove the tie rod end from the steering knuckle using Remover, Special Tool MB-991113.
5. Remove cotter pin and castle nut from stud of lower ball joint.
CAUTION: No tool is to be inserted between the steering knuckle and the lower ball joint to separate the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle. The steering knuckle is to be separated from the ball joint only using the procedure as described in step step 6 below.
CAUTION: When striking the steering knuckle, do not hit the heat shield covering the ball joint grease seal. Bending the heat shield against the ball joint grease seal will cause the grease seal to fail.
6. Turn steering knuckle so the front of the steering knuckle is facing as far outboard in the wheel opening as possible. Using a hammer, strike steering knuckle boss until steering knuckle separates from the lower ball joint. When striking steering knuckle care MUST be taken not to hit lower control arm or ball joint grease seal.
CAUTION: Pulling the steering knuckle outward from the vehicle after releasing it from the ball joint, can separate inner CV joint.
7. Remove the shock absorber clevis to lower control arm bushing, nut and thru-bolt. Separate the clevis from lower control arm.
Fig. 50:
8. Remove nut attaching the stabilizer bar link to the lower control arm. When removing nut, hold stud of stabilizer bar link from turning by inserting an alien wrench in the end of the stud.
9. Remove the bolts attaching the one stabilizer bar bushing clamp to the front suspension crossmember and the body of the vehicle.
10. Lower the one side of the stabilizer bar away from the lower control arm and body of vehicle.
11. Remove the nut and bolt attaching the rear of the lower control arm to the front suspension crossmember.
12. Remove nut and bolt attaching the front of the lower control arm to the front suspension crossmember.
CAUTION: When removing lower control arm from crossmember care must be taken to prevent hitting lower ball joint seal against steering knuckle, causing damage to the ball joint seal.
13. Remove the front of the lower control arm from the front suspension crossmember first.
14. Then, remove the rear of the lower control arm from the front suspension crossmember. When removing rear of lower control arm from crossmember, keep control arm as level as possible. This will keep rear bushing from binding on crossmember making it easier to remove control arm from crossmember.
INSTALLATION
1. Position rear of lower control arm into front suspension crossmember first. Then install front of lower control arm in front suspension crossmember. Install bolts and nuts attaching the front and rear of lower control arm to front suspension crossmember. Do not tighten front attaching bolt at this time.
2. Tighten lower control arm rear attaching nut and bolt to a torque of 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.).
3. Install the lower control arm ball joint stud into the steering knuckle. Install the steering knuckle to ball joint stud castle nut.
4. Install the tie rod end into the steering knuckle. Start the tie rod end to steering knuckle attaching nut onto stud of tie rod end. While holding stud of tie rod end stationary, tighten tie rod end to steering knuckle attaching nut. Then using a crowfoot and 11/32 socket tighten the attaching nut to a torque of 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.).
5. Tighten the lower control arm ball joint stud castle nut to a torque of 74 Nm (55 ft. lbs.). Install the cotter pin in the ball joint stud.
6. Position sway bar link into its lower control arm mounting hole.
7. Align sway bar bushing clamp with mounting holes in front suspension crossmember and body of vehicle. Then install and securely tighten the bushing clamp mounting bolts to a torque of 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.).
8. Install and securely tighten the stabilizer bar link to lower control arm attaching nut to a torque of 102 Nm (75 ft. lbs.). When tightening and torquing attaching nut, hold stud of attaching link from turning with an alien wrench.
9. Install the clevis on the lower control arm. Loosely install the clevis to bushing thru-bolt.
CAUTION: When supporting lower control arm with jack stand, do not position jack stand under the ball joint cap on the lower control arm. Position in area of lower control arm shown in.
10. Lower vehicle to the ground with a jack stand positioned under the lower control arm. Continue to lower vehicle so the total weight of the vehicle is supported by the jack stand and lower control arm.
CAUTION: When tightening the thru-bolt do not turn the bolt in the clevis. The serrations on the bolt and the hole in the clevis will be damaged.
11. With the vehicle's suspension at curb height, tighten the clevis to lower control arm bushing thru-bolt nut to a torque of 88 Nm (65 ft. lbs.).
12. Tighten front lower control arm nut and bolt to a torque of 182 Nm (135 ft. lbs.).
13. Install wheel and tire assembly.
14. Tighten the wheel mounting stud nuts in proper sequence until all nuts are torqued to half specification. Then repeat the tightening sequence to the full specified torque of 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).
15. Remove jack stand from under lower control arm and lower vehicle to the ground.
16. Check the vehicles alignment specifications and set front Toe to preferred specifications.