Lower Control Arm

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Except Miata and Millenia

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Wheel
   • Lower ball joint pinch bolt from the steering knuckle
   • Stabilizer bar link from the lower control arm
   • Lower control arm bolts and nuts
   • Lower control arm with the lower ball joint

   To install:

3. Install or connect the following:
   • Lower control arm and loosely tighten the mounting nuts and bolts
   • Stabilizer link to the lower control arm. Tighten the nut to 27–39 ft. lbs. (37–53 Nm).
   • Lower ball joint to the steering knuckle. Tighten the pinch bolt to 26–41 ft. lbs. (35–56 Nm).
   • Wheel
4. With the vehicle at normal ride height, tighten the lower control arm mounting bolts. Tighten the front bushing through-bolt to 58–78 ft. lbs. (79–106 Nm) and the rear bushing strap bolts to 69–96 ft. lbs. (94–131 Nm).
5. Check and/or adjust the front wheel alignment.

Miata

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Wheel
   • Undercover
   • Cotter pin and nut from the tie-rod end
   • Tie-rod end from the steering knuckle
   • Stabilizer bar link bolt and the lower strut mounting bolt
   • Cotter pin
   • Lower ball joint by loosening it
3. With the nut protecting the ball joint stud, separate the stud from the knuckle. Remove the nut.
4. Paint alignment marks on the adjusting cams and the chassis for assembly reference.
5. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Lower control arm bolts, nuts and adjusting cams
   • Lower control arm

   To install:

6. Install or connect the following:
   • Lower control arm by loosely tightening the bolts and nuts
   • Lower ball joint to the knuckle. Tighten the nut to 42–57 ft. lbs. (57–77 Nm).
   • New cotter pin
   • Lower strut and stabilizer link bolts by loosely tightening them
   • Tie-rod end to the steering knuckle. Tighten the nut to 22–32 ft. lbs. (30–44 Nm).
   • New cotter pin
   • Wheel and undercover
7. With the vehicle at normal ride height, tighten the lower control arm bolts and nuts to 69–83 ft. lbs. (94–113 Nm), being sure to align the marks on the cam plates and chassis made during removal.
8. Tighten the lower strut mounting bolt to 69 ft. lbs. (93 Nm) and the stabilizer link bolt to 40 ft. lbs. (54 Nm).
9. Check and/or the front wheel alignment.

Millenia

1. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Transverse member
   • Power steering return hose and pressure pipe
   • Intermediate steering shaft bolt
2. Support the engine from the top.
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Engine mount member
   • Bolts for engine mount No. 1
   • Lower strut mounting bolt
   • Tie-rod end from the steering knuckle
   • Upper lateral link ball joint
   • Lower ball joint
   • Stabilizer control link nut
   • Gusset
4. Support the crossmember using a jack.
5. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Crossmember mounting nuts and lower the crossmember to gain clearance
   • Lower arm assembly

   To install:

6. Install or connect the following:
   • Lower arm assembly to the vehicle
   • Crossmember mounting bolts
   • Gusset. Torque the bolts to 58–86 ft. lbs. (79–116 Nm).
   • Stabilizer control link. Torque the nut to 32–44 ft. lbs. (44–60 Nm).
   • Lower ball joint. Torque the bolts to 58–86 ft. lbs. (79–116 Nm) and the nut to 86–115 ft. lbs. (116–156 Nm).
   • Upper lateral link nut and bolt. Torque to 58–86 ft. lbs. (79–116 Nm).
   • Tie-rod end. Torque the nut to 41–59 ft. lbs. (55–80 Nm).
   • Strut lower mounting bolt. Torque to 73–101 ft. lbs. (98–137 Nm).
   • No. 1 engine mount. Torque the bolts to 32–44 ft. lbs. (44–60 Nm).
   • Engine mount member. Torque the bolts to 50–68 ft. lbs. (67–93 Nm) and the nuts to 55–77.3 ft. lbs. (75–104 Nm).
7. Remove the engine support tool.
8. Install or connect the following:
   • Intermediate steering shaft. Torque the bolt to 14–19 ft. lbs. (18–26 Nm).
   • Power steering pressure pipe and return hose
   • Transverse member
9. Check the power steering fluid and fill to proper level, bleed if necessary.
10. Check and/or adjust the front end alignment.