Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Arm, Lower Control, RWD: Installation
Installation process is the same for both sides of the vehicle.
If installing a lower control arm engine cradle bolt that is a wheel alignment adjustment bolt (1) with a lengthwise grooved shaft (2), make sure to install it in the same position it was during removal. For more details on installation of this special bolt. Refer to WHEEL ALIGNMENT .
- Slide lower control arm into position in engine cradle.
- Install the lower control arm to cradle bolt and nut (1), but do not tighten at this time
.CAUTION:
Before installing knuckle on lower control arm, measure height of ball joint seal boot (1) mounted on knuckle. If seal boot height is above 25.5 mm, any air inside seal boot must be expelled. To do so, follow these steps.
- Tip ball joint stud completely to one side.
- Using thumb and index finger, gently squeeze seal boot together at center expelling any air. Do not allow grease to be release.
- Push down very top of seal boot.
- Return ball joint stud to original "centered" position.
- Measure ball joint seal boot height (1) making sure it is within specification.
- Wipe any grease from ball joint stud.
- Pull knuckle (1) downward and position the lower control arm (2) over ball joint stud. Release knuckle, guiding stud into lower control arm. Install a NEW lower ball joint to knuckle nut (4). Tighten lower ball joint to knuckle nut by holding ball joint stud with a hex wrench while turning nut with a wrench. Tighten to the proper torque specifications. Refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
- Install the strut to lower control arm bolt (3). Do not tighten bolt at this time.
- Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to TIRES & WHEELS, INSTALLATION .
- Remove the support and lower the vehicle.CAUTION:
Because stabilizer bar is disconnected at cradle it is important to use extra care while moving vehicle to alignment rack/drive-on lift.
- Position vehicle on an alignment rack/drive-on lift.
- Tighten the strut to lower control arm bolt to the proper torque specifications. Refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .CAUTION:
If installing a lower control arm engine cradle bolt that is a wheel alignment adjustment bolt (1) with a lengthwise grooved shaft (2), make sure to install it in the same position it was during removal. For more details on installation of this special bolt.
- Install the front stabilizer bar. Refer to STABILIZER BAR, FRONT, INSTALLATION .
- Install belly pan. Refer to BELLY PAN, INSTALLATION .
- Perform wheel alignment. Refer to WHEEL ALIGNMENT .
- Once camber is found to be within specifications, tighten the lower control arm to cradle bolt and nut (1) to the proper torque specifications. Refer to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.