The control arm is attached to the car by a 16mm bolt on the drop link (purple arrow), three 13mm bolts at the ball joint (blue arrow) an 18mm bolt at the front of the sub assembly (yellow arrow) and an 18mm nut and bolt at the rear (green arrow).
Full Answer
Can I replace a control arm myself?
If you have any doubts, it's a good idea to leave the job to a professional. You'll save yourself a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. If you have any doubts you can pull off control arm replacement yourself, it's best to leave the job to a professional mechanic.
How do you check control arms for a play?
Check the Control Arm Bushings for Play Checking the control arm bushings is pretty easy. Place a pry bar on the control arm near the bushing. Then attempt to move the control arm back and forth (you may also want to try moving it downward, depending on the bushing design).
How do you press cradle bushings?
1:324:58How to Replace Control Arm Bushings (FAST) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd now we just tighten everything down. So that's the setup it's very simp. That piece is pushing.MoreAnd now we just tighten everything down. So that's the setup it's very simp. That piece is pushing. Directly onto the bushing. It's pushing it through that way and it's gonna fall in this Cup.
How tight should lower control arm bolts be?
1:283:06Control Arm Bushing Preload, Important Information! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou just want to Snug it. Up. Good just like that it's tight enough so when you drop the car yourMoreYou just want to Snug it. Up. Good just like that it's tight enough so when you drop the car your suspension won't move.
Do you need to do an alignment after replacing lower control arms?
Do you need an alignment after replacing control arm bushings? The control arm bushings don't actually affect alignment. They just help position the arms properly during suspension movement. If they are destroyed, yes, your alignment may suffer, but you'll notice steering issues before that.
How do you know if your control arm is bent?
Here are some of the most common telltale signs that the control arm is bent:Vehicle pulling to the side.Tire sitting at and unusual angle.Accelerated wear on either edge of the tire.Loose steering.Clunking noise in the steering area.
How do you press bushings at home?
1:523:54How to remove rubber bushings without a press or burning - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd appropriate side socket. For the shaft. Of the gear port. And your socket wrench and you areMoreAnd appropriate side socket. For the shaft. Of the gear port. And your socket wrench and you are going to turn your socket wrench clockwise. Until you managed to push out the rubber bushing.
How do you press in a bushing without a press?
0:002:46How to Press Fit a Bushing Without a Press (Cheap & Easy) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut you don't have an arbor press or a hydraulic press to actually fit it in so the cheap and easyMoreBut you don't have an arbor press or a hydraulic press to actually fit it in so the cheap and easy way is going to be to get a shoulder bolt a hex nut and a couple of washers.
How do you press bushings out of a control arm?
Simply set up the press with a large cup on the arm that is large enough to accept the outer shell. Select a driver that matches the diameter of the outer shell for the inside of the control arm bushing (where you will be pressing it out), and slowly drive the control arm bushing out.
How do you preload a control arm?
0:523:09How to Preload Rubber Suspension Bushings - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEach control arm has two bushings one of the subframe. And the other at the wheel carrier thereforeMoreEach control arm has two bushings one of the subframe. And the other at the wheel carrier therefore both bushings need to be pre-loaded. Once the new control arm and the bolts are installed don't
How do you lower the control arm torque?
12:2613:46Control Arm and Ball Joint Replacement With Torque Specs ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd torque to 76 foot pounds torque the drive shaft axle nut to 217 foot-pounds the job is now doneMoreAnd torque to 76 foot pounds torque the drive shaft axle nut to 217 foot-pounds the job is now done and it's time to take the car for a computerized wheel alignment.
Which control arm is more important?
The upper control arm is smaller. The larger lower control arm carries most of the load. Both the lower and upper control arms have a ball joint, although the upper ball joint is often smaller. As the wheel drives over a bump, both arms swing up and down on rubber bushings following the wheel.
If you are starting to hear a knock sound when you go around a corner there is a good chance your control arm bushings are starting to go bad
These bushing get a lot of wear and tear and are in a very warm area by the engine. They do wear out and should be checked every 30,000 miles. You will need to remove the control arm from the vehicle to replace the bushings. You will also need a hydraulic press to press out and press in the new bushings.
Project Photos
Figure 1 This photo illustrates the front control arm from under the car (red arrow). The control arm is attached to the car by a 16mm bolt on the drop link (purple arrow), three 13mm bolts at the ball joint (blue arrow) an 18mm bolt at the front of the sub assembly (yellow arrow) and an 18mm nut and bolt at the rear (green arrow).
