Lower Control Arm Replacement Rear Wheel Drive

Tools Required

J 23742 Ball Joint Separator

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Wheel Removal in Tires and Wheels.
3. Remove the coil spring. Refer to Front Coil Springs Replacement .
4. Remove the lower ball joint cotter pin and the nut.



5. Disconnect the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle.

5.1.	Use the J 23742 in order to break the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle.

5.2.	Pull the lower control arm free from the steering knuckle.




6. Remove the lower control arm.

1. Connect the lower control arm to the steering knuckle.

Make sure the lower ball joint is properly seated into the steering knuckle.

Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

2. Install the nut.

Tighten
Tighten the nut to 125 N·m (90 lb ft).

3. Install a new cotter pin. Tighten the nut up to an additional 1/6 amount in order to insert the cotter pin through the lower ball joint stud. Bend the cotter pin ends flat against the nut.
4. Install the coil spring. Refer to Front Coil Springs Replacement .
5. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Wheel Installation in Tires and Wheels.
6. Lower the vehicle.
7. Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications in Wheel Alignment.

Lower Control Arm Replacement Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Wheel Removal in Tires and Wheels.
3. Unload the torsion bar. Mark the adjuster bolt for installation. Refer to Torsion Bar Replacement .
4. Remove the adjuster arm.

•	Slide the torsion bar forward, and the adapter out of the rear in order to remove the adjuster arm.

•	Support the lower control arm with a jack.




5. Remove the outer axle shaft nut and the washer from the hub assembly.

Notice: Support the caliper with a piece of wire to prevent damage to the brake line.

6. Remove the brake caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.



7. Remove the brake rotor.
8. Disconnect the speed sensor electrical connector.
9. Remove the speed sensor from the bearing. Refer to Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement in Antilock Brake System.



10. Remove the bolts from the hub and bearing assembly.




Important: Lay the wheel hub and bearing assembly on the wheel hub bolts on the outboard side. This prevents damage or contamination to the bearing seal.

11. Remove the hub and bearing assembly.
12. Remove the two bolts at the front splash shield. Pivot the shield in order to access the tie rod and the stabilizer shaft.
13. Disconnect the stabilizer shaft from the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement .
14. Disconnect the outer tie rod from the steering knuckle. Refer to Tie Rod Replacement in Steering Linkage.
15. Remove the shock absorber. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement .
16. Disconnect the lower ball joint from the knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement .



17. Remove the nuts and the washer.
18. Remove the bolts.



19. Remove the lower control arm and torsion bar as a unit.



20. Remove the torsion bar from the lower control arm.

1. Install the torsion bar into the lower control arm.



2. Install the lower control arm bolts in the proper direction.

2.1.	Install the front leg of the lower control arm into the crossmember.

2.2.	Install the rear leg of the control arm into the frame bracket.

3. Install the lower control arm and torsion bar assembly to the crossmember.
4. Install the lower control arm bolts, the washers and the new nuts.

Do not torque the nuts at this time.

5. Connect the lower ball joint to the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement
6. Install the front splash shield and the splash shield bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 14 N·m (124 lb in).

7. Install the shock absorber. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement .
8. Install the outer tie rod to the steering knuckle. Refer to Tie Rod Replacement in Steering Linkage.
9. Install the stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement .



10. Install the hub and bearing assembly to the steering knuckle.




Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

11. Install the bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 90 N·m (66 lb ft).

12. Install the drive axle through the hub.
13. Install the speed sensor to the bearing. Refer to Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement in Antilock Brake System.
14. Connect the speed sensor electrical connector.



15. Install the brake rotor.
16. Install the brake caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.



17. Install the outer axle shaft washer and the nut to the hub assembly.

Tighten
Tighten the nut to 200 N·m (147 lb ft).

18. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Wheel Installation in Tires and Wheels.
19. Install the torsion bar adjuster arm. Refer to Torsion Bar Replacement .
20. Load the torsion bar. Refer to Torsion Bar Replacement .
21. Tighten the lower control arm nuts.

Tighten

1. Tighten the front nuts to 133 N·m (98 lb ft).
2. Tighten the rear nuts to 133 N·m (98 lb ft).
3. Tighten the nuts with the control arm at Z height. Refer to Trim Height in Suspension General Diagnosis.
22. Lower the vehicle.
23. Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications in Wheel Alignment.