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Control Arm

Removal & Installation

Upper Control Arm
Coil Spring Suspension

To Remove:

  1. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
  2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
  3. Remove the brake disc shield.
  4. Use an appropriate support for the front suspension lower arm.
  5. Mark the position of the front suspension upper arm adjustment cams.
  6. Remove the upper ball joint retaining nut and pinch bolt the separate the ball joint from the front wheel spindle.
  7. Remove the front suspension upper arm.

To Install:

  1. Align the marks made during removal on the front suspension upper arm adjustment cam.

    NOTE: The forward front suspension upper arm nut must be tightened first while the arm is held at the curb position ride height.

  2. Install the front suspension upper arm. Torque to 98 ft-lb (133 Nm).
  3. Install the upper ball joint into the front wheel spindle. Torque to 35-46 ft-lb (47-63 Nm).
  4. Install the brake disc shield.
  5. Install the tire and wheel assembly.
  6. Examine the front end alignment and adjust if necessary.
Torsion Bar Suspension

To Remove:

WARNING
The electrical power to the air suspension system must be shut off before jacking, hoisting, or towing an air suspension vehicle. This can be done by turning off the air suspension switch in the rear jack storage area. Failure to do this can cause unexpected inflation or deflation of the air springs or shocks, which may result in shifting of the vehicle during these operations.

  1. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
  2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
  3. Use an appropriate support for the front suspension lower arm.

    CAUTION
    Before removing the pinch bolt and nut, secure the front wheel spindle to keep it from tilting, which will avoid damage to the spindle.

  4. Remove the pinch bolt and nut from the front wheel spindle.
  5. Remove the front suspension upper arm.

To Install:

  1. Install the front suspension upper arm. Torque to 100 ft-lb (136 Nm).
  2. Install the pinch bolt and nut to the front wheel spindle. Torque to 41 ft-lb (55 Nm).
  3. Remove the support from under the front suspension lower arm.
  4. Install the wheel and tire assembly.

    NOTE: If the vehicle has air suspension, reactivate the system by turning on the air suspension switch.

  5. Lower the vehicle.
  6. Examine the front end ride height.
  7. Examine the front end alignment and adjust if necessary.
Lower Control Arm
Coil Spring Suspension

To Remove:

  1. Remove the coil spring.
  2. Remove the front suspension lower arm.

To Install:

  1. Install the front suspension lower arm.
  2. Install the coil spring.
  3. Examine the front end alignment and adjust if necessary.
Torsion Bar Suspension

To Remove:

  1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist.
  2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
  3. Remove the stabilizer link nut, washer and bushing.
  4. Remove the front shock absorber-to-front suspension lower arm nuts.
  5. Remove the torsion bar.
  6. Remove the lower ball joint castellated nut.

    CAUTION
    Do not use a hammer to separate the ball joint from the wheel knuckle or the wheel knuckle may get damaged.

    CAUTION
    Do not damage the ball joint boot while installing the installer/remover C-frame and screw tool (211-023).

  7. Use the installer/remover C-frame and screw tool (211-023) separate the front suspension lower arm from the front wheel knuckle/spindle.
  8. Remove the front suspension lower arm.

To Install:

NOTE: The front suspension lower arm pivot bolts and nuts must be tightened until they fit snugly. Do not tighten to the specification until installation procedure is finished.

NOTE: Examine the front suspension lower arm ball joints and boot seals for signs of damage.

  1. Install the front suspension lower arm.
  2. Place the front suspension lower arm at the front suspension crossmember then install the pivot bolts and nuts and tighten until they fit snugly.

    CAUTION
    Install the cotter pin into the lower ball joint from outboard to inboard with the fingers bent together at a right angle. Failure to do so will cause damage to the wheel and tire assembly.

  3. Connect the front suspension lower arm to the front wheel knuckle/spindle. Torque to 83-113 ft-lb (113-153 Nm).
  4. Install the front shock absorber-to-front suspension lower arm nuts. Torque to 15-21 ft-lb (21-29 Nm).
  5. Install the stabilizer link bushing, washer, and nut. Torque to 15-21 ft-lb (21-29 Nm).

    NOTE: Whenever the torsion bar or its adjuster is removed, you must check the vehicle ride height.

  6. Install the torsion bar.
  7. Install the wheel and tire assembly.
  8. Lower the vehicle.
  9. Tighten the front suspension lower arm nuts. Torque to 111-148 ft-lb (150-200 Nm).
  10. Inspect and adjust the front end alignment.

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