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Installation - Lower Control Arm

  1. Position lower control arm assembly into front suspension cradle crossmember guiding bushings into mounting position. See Figure.
  2. Install NEW pivot bolt attaching front bushing of lower control arm to front suspension cradle crossmember. See Fig 1. Do not tighten or torque pivot bolt at this time. 
    Fig 1: Lower Control Arm Bushing Pivot Bolt Correctly Installed
    GC0001536Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
    1 - PIVOT BOLT
    2 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
    3 - FRONT SUSPENSION CRADLE CROSSMEMBER
  3. Install the reinforcement on the front suspension cradle crossmember and install the bolts attaching the reinforcement to the cradle crossmember. See Figure. Tighten the M-14 size bolts to a torque of 153 N.m (113 ft. lbs.). Tighten the M-12 size bolts to a torque of 106 N.m (78 ft. lbs.).
  4. Install the lower control arm rear bushing retainer bolts through reinforcement on each side of each lower control arm rear bushing. Tighten these M-10 size bolts to a torque of 61 N.m (45 ft. lbs.).
  5. Install the two bolts and bushings attaching the reinforcement and rear of cradle crossmember to body of vehicle. See Figure. Tighten bolts to a torque of 163 N.m (120 ft. lbs.).
  6. Install the power steering cooler. See Figure. Tighten bolts to a torque of 11 N.m (100 in. lbs.).
  7. Reinstall steering knuckle, brake rotor and caliper. (Refer to SUSPENSION/FRONT/KNUCKLE - INSTALLATION) 
    CAUTION: When locating jack stands under lower control arms, do not place the jack stands under the ball joints. See Fig 2.
  8. Position jack stands under the lower control arms as close to the ball joints as possible. See Fig 2. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands until the jack stands are supporting the total weight of the vehicle.
    Fig 2: Jack Stands Supporting Vehicle Weight
    GC0001538Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
    1 - LOWER CONTROL ARMS
    2 - BALL JOINT
    3 - JACK STANDS
    4 - BALL JOINT
  9. Tighten front lower control arm pivot bolt to a torque of 183 N.m (135 ft. lbs.).
  10. Install the wheel and tire assembly. Install and 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 N.m (100 ft. lbs.).
  11. Raise vehicle, remove jack stands and lower vehicle to the ground.
  12. Perform front wheel alignment as necessary. (Refer to SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE) 
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