Lower Control Arm: Removal

Insert spring blocks special tool 9288 between the spring and the spring clamp plates, While the vehicles wheels are on the ground.
Raise and support the vehicle.
Remove the front wheels (Refer to TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - REMOVAL) .
Remove the disc brake caliper adapter (Refer to BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/DISC BRAKE CALIPER ADAPTER - REMOVAL) .Hang the caliper. Do not allow brake hose to support the caliper weight.
Remove the retaining nut holding the tie rod to the steering knuckle. See Fig 1.
Separate the tie rod off the steering knuckle using special tool C-3894-A. See Fig 1.
NOTE: In order to remove tension from the strut, Raise the lower control arm approximately 10 mm with a jack.
Remove the strut bolts from the steering knuckle. See Fig 1.
Remove the stop plate bolts and rotate the plate upwards with the stabilizer link attached. See Fig 1.
Lower the lower control arm.
Remove the lower ball joint nut from the steering knuckle. See Fig 1.
Separate the lower ball joint from the knuckle using special tool 9282.
Remove the lower control arm nuts and bolts from the frame. See Fig 1.
Remove the lower control arm.

Fig 1: Lower Control Arm

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - STRUT

2 - LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLT

3 - STOP PLATE BOLT

4 - STOP PLATE

5 - CALIPER ADAPTER BOLT

6 - DISC BRAKE CALIPER

7 - LOCKING BOLT

8 - DISC BRAKE ROTOR

9 - OUTER TIE ROD END RETAINING NUT

10 - OUTER TIE ROD END

11 - LOWER BALL JOINT NUT

12 - LOWER BALL JOINT

13 - LOWER CONTROL ARM NUTS

14 - STRUT BOLT