Lower Control Arm

REMOVAL

Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to HOISTING, STANDARD PROCEDURE .
Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to TIRES AND WHEELS. REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Remove the front belly pan. Refer to BELLY PAN, FRONT, REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Remove the side belly pan. Refer to BELLY PAN, SIDE, REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
Remove the front wheelhouse splash shield. Refer to SHIELD, SPLASH, FRONT WHEELHOUSE, REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .

While holding the nut, remove and DISCARD the ball joint stud pinch bolt.

NOTE: Use care when separating the ball joint stud from the knuckle so the ball joint boot does not get cut.

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1 - Steering Gear Pinch Bolt

2 - Ball Joint Stud Pinch Bolt

3 - Stabilizer Link Nut

Pry down on the control arm until the ball joint stud is clear of the knuckle. Position the knuckle assembly to the side until it is clear of the ball joint stud. Slowly release the control arm.

Remove and DISCARD the three shear bracket bolts then remove the shear bracket.

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1 - Shear Bracket Bolt

2 - Shear Bracket Bolt

3 - Shear Bracket Bolt

Remove and DISCARD the front lower control arm to front subframe mounting nuts.

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1 - Front Subframe Mounting Nuts

2 - Rear Subframe Mounting Bolts

3 - Lower Control Arm

Remove and DISCARD the front lower control arm to rear subframe mounting bolts.
Remove the lower control arm from the vehicle.

INSTALLATION

Follow the removal procedure in reverse for general reassembly of the components on the vehicle. The steps listed below are calling out specific procedures that should be followed during installation.

WARNING:

Verify the lower control arm ball joint stud is fully inserted into knuckle before pinch bolt is inserted into knuckle. Only ball joint stud rubber boot should be visible below the knuckle; stud should not be visible. Failure to fully and properly insert ball joint stud could lead to wheel separation and loss of mobility and could result in personal injury or death.

Install two NEW front lower control arm to front subframe mounting nuts. Do not tighten at this time.
Install two NEW front lower control arm to rear subframe mounting bolts. Do not tighten at this time.
Position the shear bracket and install NEW shear bracket bolts and tighten to the proper torque specifications. Refer to FRAME AND BUMPERS, TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
Position the lower ball joint stud to the steering knuckle and verify it is in the correct position with the ball joint stud visible at the upper portion of the steering knuckle mounting hole.

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1 - Correct Position

2 - Incorrect Position
If the lower ball joint stud is installed incorrectly with the ball joint stud visible in the lower portion of the steering knuckle mounting hole, remove the lower ball joint and reinstall the lower ball joint stud to the steering knuckle and verify the ball joint stud is in the correct position.
Install a NEW ball joint stud pinch bolt and a NEW nut, and tighten to the proper torque specifications. Refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
Position the vehicle on an alignment rack. Raise vehicle as necessary to access mounting fasteners.
Tighten the two front lower control arm to rear subframe mounting bolts to the proper torque specifications. Refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
Tighten the two front lower control arm to front subframe mounting bolts to the proper torque specifications. Refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .