Lower Control Arm: Removal

NOTE: Review all Warnings and Cautions. (Refer to SUSPENSION - WARNING) .

Raise vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCEDURE) .
Remove wheel and tire assembly (Refer to TIRES/WHEELS - REMOVAL) .
Remove brake caliper from knuckle and hang out of the way, then remove brake rotor. (Refer to BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTOR - REMOVAL)
Remove bolt fastening wheel speed sensor head to steering knuckle. See Figure. Remove sensor head from knuckle.

Loosen, but do not remove, nut attaching stabilizer bar link to lower control arm. See Fig 1. Back off and position nut at end of link stud. See Fig 2.

Fig 1: Front Suspension Mounting

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - UPPER CONTROL ARM

2 - CAM BOLT

3 - CAM WASHER

4 - STABILIZER BAR LINK

5 - LOWER CONTROL ARM

6 - SHOCK ASSEMBLY

CAUTION: The nut must be positioned at the end of the stabilizer bar link stud to help prevent the end of the stud from being damaged when separating it from the lower control arm.

Position center punch in dimple on end of stabilizer bar link stud. See Fig 2. Strike center punch with hammer, releasing link stud from lower control arm. Remove nut.

Fig 2: Stabilizer Bar Link Removal

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - STABILIZER BAR ATTACHING LINK

2 - NUT

3 - CENTER PUNCH

4 - STUD

5 - LOWER CONTROL ARM

6 - STEERING KNUCKLE

Remove bolt and nut attaching shock assembly to bracket on lower control arm. See Fig 1.

Remove cotter pin and nut from lower ball joint stud. See Fig 3.

Fig 3: Knuckle Mounting

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - UPPER BALL JOINT COTTER PIN

2 - LOWER BALL JOINT COTTER PIN

3 - TIE ROD NUT

4 - LOWER BALL JOINT NUT

5 - KNUCKLE (WITH HUB AND BEARING)

6 - UPPER BALL JOINT NUT

CAUTION: Do not strike or apply heat to steering knuckle in an effort to separate ball joint studs from steering knuckle.

CAUTION: Install Spacer, Special Tool 6983, between grease seal and knuckle as shown to avoid damaging grease seal. See Fig 4.

NOTE: Use of Spacer, Special Tool 6983, is necessary to allow proper use of Puller, Special Tool C-4150A, to release lower ball joint from knuckle.

Insert Spacer, Special Tool 6983, between lower ball joint grease seal and steering knuckle. See Fig 4. Push Spacer in until it surrounds ball joint stud.

Fig 4: Inserting Spacer Between Knuckle And Seal
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

CAUTION: When releasing ball joint from knuckle using Puller, Special Tool C-4150A, use care not to pinch and damage ball joint grease seal.
Install Puller, Special Tool C-4150A, over Spacer and knuckle as shown. See Fig 5. Ball bearing in bolt of Special Tool C-4150A must be centered in end of lower ball joint stud.

Fig 5: Puller And Spacer Positioned To Release Ball Joint
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - SPACER 6983

2 - PULLER C-4150A
Release lower ball joint from knuckle using Puller. Remove tools.
Remove nuts, cam bolts and cam washers attaching lower control arm to mounting brackets on frame rail. See Fig 1. Slightly spread ends of mounting brackets to ease removal of lower control arm from brackets.
Remove lower control arm.