Upper Arm Replacement
Upper Arm ReplacementSpecial Tools Required
Ball joint remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202
1. Raise the front of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations.
2. Remove the front wheel.
3. Remove the front damper/spring.
4. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the upper arm ball joint, then remove the castle nut (B).
5. Disconnect the upper arm ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint remover.
6. Remove the upper arm mounting bolts (A), and remove the upper arm (B).
7. Install the upper arm (A), and lightly tighten the new upper arm mounting bolts (B), then connect the knuckle, and lightly tighten the castle nut (C).
NOTE:
^ Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when connecting the knuckle.
^ Before connecting the ball joint, degrease the threaded section and tapered portion of the ball joint pin, the ball joint connecting hole, the threaded section and mating surface of the castle nut.
8. Place a floor jack under the lower arm, and raise the suspension until the clearance between the top (D) of the upper arm ball joint and the backside of the fender cutout point (E) is 40 mm (1.6 in.), then tighten the upper arm mounting bolts to specified torque value.
NOTE: To measure the specified clearance, temporarily remove the front inner fender.
9. Lower the floor jack
10. Install the front damper/spring.
11. Place the floor jack under the lower arm, and raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight.
12. Tighten the castle nut (A) on the upper arm ball joint to the specified torque value.
NOTE:
^ Torque the castle nut to the lower torque specification, then tighten it only far enough to align the slot with the ball joint pin hole. Do not align the castle nut by loosening it.
^ Insert the new cotter pin (B) into the ball joint pin hole from the front to the rear of the vehicle, and bend its end as shown. Check the ball joint pin hole direction before connecting the ball joint.
13. Clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel, then install the front wheel.
14. Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary.