Front Lower Control Arm - Removal

REMOVAL

NOTE: Review all Warnings and Cautions. Service Precautions .

1. Raise vehicle. Maintenance.
2. Remove wheel and tire assembly Tires and Wheels - Removal.
3. Remove brake caliper from knuckle and hang out of the way, then remove brake rotor. Brake Rotor - Removal









4. Remove bolt (3) fastening ABS wheel speed sensor head (2) to steering knuckle (1). Remove sensor head from knuckle.










5. Loosen, but do not remove, nut attaching stabilizer bar link (4) to lower control arm (5). Back off and position nut at end of link stud.










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.

6. Place center punch (3) in dimple on end of stabilizer bar link stud (4). Strike center punch with hammer, releasing link stud from lower control arm. Remove nut (2).










7. Remove bolt and nut attaching shock assembly (6) to bracket on lower control arm (5).










8. Remove cotter pin (2) and castle nut (4) from lower ball joint stud.

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






CAUTION: To avoid damaging grease seal, install Spacer, Special Tool 6983, between grease seal and knuckle as shown.

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.

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










CAUTION: When releasing ball joint from knuckle using Puller (2), Special Tool C-4150A, use care not to pinch and damage ball joint grease seal.

10. Install Puller (2), Special Tool C-4150A, over Spacer (1) and knuckle as shown. Ball bearing in bolt of Special Tool C-4150A must be centered in end of lower ball joint stud.
11. Release lower ball joint from knuckle using Puller.










12. Remove nuts, cam bolts (2) and cam washers (3) attaching lower control arm (5) to mounting brackets on frame rail. Slightly spread ends of mounting brackets to ease removal of lower control arm from brackets.
13. Remove lower control arm.