Arm, Lower Control, RWD: Removal
Removal process is the same for both sides of the vehicle.
- Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to HOISTING, STANDARD PROCEDURE .
- Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to REMOVAL .
- Remove belly pan. Refer to BELLY PAN, REMOVAL .
- Remove the front stabilizer bar. Refer to STABILIZER BAR, FRONT, REMOVAL .
- Remove bolt and nut (1) securing lower control arm to engine cradle. If bolt has a lengthwise grooved shaft (see above note), remove bolt and nut by holding the bolt in place with a wrench, removing nut, then sliding bolt out of bushing and cradle while taking note of bolt positioning in lower control arm bushing for reassembly purposes.
- Remove the strut to lower control arm bolt (3).
- Loosen the lower ball joint to knuckle nut (4). Back nut off until nut is even with end of stud. Keeping nut on at this location will help keep end of stud from distorting while using Puller in next step. CAUTION:
In following step, use care not to damage ball joint seal boot while sliding into place past seal boot.
- Using Ball Joint Remover (special tool #9360, Remover, Ball Joint) (1), separate ball joint stud (2) from lower control arm.
- Remove the lower ball joint to knuckle nut (4).
- Pry knuckle (1) downward and slide ball joint stud out of lower control arm (2). Position knuckle outward, away from lower control arm.
- Slide lower control arm (2) out of engine cradle and remove from vehicle.
In the following step, the lower control arm to cradle bolt (3) is accessed through the opening created by removal of the bushing from the stabilizer bar.
If the lower control arm bolt at the engine cradle has a lengthwise grooved shaft (2), it is a special wheel alignment adjustment bolt and the bolt head (1) must not be rotated in the vehicle or damage to the bolt and engine cradle will result. While holding the bolt in place with a wrench, remove the nut, then slide the bolt out of the bushing and cradle taking note of bolt positioning in engine cradle for reassembly purposes. The bolt needs to be installed in the same position as removed to make sure wheel camber and caster return to adjusted position.