Control Arm: Service and Repair
REMOVAL1. Remove the wheel.
2. Loosen the bolt mounting the knuckle and the lower arm ball joint.
3. Remove the sub frame and 3 bolts mounting the lower arm.
INSTALLATION
1. Installation is the reverse of removal.
DISASSEMBLY
1. Using the special tool, remove the lower arm bushing.
2. Using a screwdriver, remove the dust cover from the lower arm ball joint.
3. Remove the snap ring.
4. Using a plastic hammer, remove the ball joint from the lower arm assembly.
INSPECTION
1. Check the bushing for wear and deterioration.
2. Check the lower arm for bends and other damage.
3. Check the ball joint dust cover for cracks. If there is a crack on the dust cover, replace the ball joint assembly.
4. Check the lower arm connecting bolt.
5. Shake the ball joint stud several times to test for looseness.
6. Check lower arm ball joint for rotating starting torque.
Standard value: 1.5 - 3.5 Nm [15 - 35 kg-cm, 1.1 - 2.6 ft. lbs.]
NOTE: Measure at the range of 0.5 - 2 rpm after vibrating 3° at room temperature after approximately 24 hours from assembly.
a. When the starting torque is above the standard value, replace the ball joint assembly.
b. When the starting torque is less than the standard value, the ball joint may be used again if there is no wear in the ball joint.
7. Check the stabilizer bar link ball joint for rotation starting torque.
- If there is a crack on the dust cover, replace the ball joint dust cover and apply grease.
- Shake the stabilizer link ball joint several times to test for looseness.
- Install the self locking nut on the ball joint and measure the ball joint turning starting torque.
Standard value: 0.7 - 2 Nm [7 - 20 kg-cm, 0.52 - 1.5 ft. lbs.]
NOTE:
^ After 24 hours of assembly rotate the ball joint stud to the left and right five times.
^ After that, measure the turning torque around the range of 2 rpm at room temperature.
- When the starting torque is above the standard value, replace the stabilizer link.
- Even if the rotation starting torque is less than the standard value, the ball joint may be used again if there is ball joint abnormal wear or excessive gap.
REASSEMBLY
1. Using the special tool, press-fit the lower arm bushing.
NOTE: The standard pull-out force for the bushing: more than 50 N [500 kg(f), 1103 lb(f)].
2. Supporting the ball joint flange, press down the lower arm bushing until the flange touches the lower arm surface.
NOTE: Do not press the ball joint cap.
3. Using a snap ring pliers, install the snap ring. Keep the amount of the snap ring expansion as small as possible.
4. Apply multi-purpose grease to the dust cover lip and inside the cover.
Grease: Sunlight MB-2 or equivalent
5. Using the special tool, install the dust cover until it is completely seated on the snag ring.