Lower Control Arm - Rear

This procedure covers the removal and installation of the rear lower control arm on a 2005 Dodge Viper, including suspension disassembly and proper torque specifications for safe operation.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear lower control arm × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Control arm bushings (if not included with arm) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on the ground
3. Raise rear of vehicle and support securely on jack stands positioned under manufacturer-approved lift points on the frame or subframe
4. Remove rear wheel on the side being serviced
5. Apply penetrating oil to all control arm fasteners and allow to soak while preparing tools
6. Mark the orientation of the control arm mounting bolts relative to the mounting brackets if the arm is being reinstalled for alignment reference

Procedure

1. 1

   Support the rear suspension
   Position a floor jack under the rear lower control arm or rear knuckle assembly to support the suspension weight. Raise the jack just enough to take the load off the suspension but not to lift the vehicle. This prevents the suspension from dropping when fasteners are removed and maintains access to all connection points.
2. 2

   Disconnect the sway bar link (if equipped)
   If the sway bar link attaches to the lower control arm on this vehicle, remove the sway bar link lower mounting nut. Verify the actual stabilizer bar link attachment point per the Viper service manual, as it may connect to the knuckle or another link. Hold the link shaft with an Allen key to prevent rotation while loosening the nut. The link may remain attached to the sway bar.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove shock absorber lower mounting bolt
   Locate the coilover shock absorber lower mounting bolt and confirm whether it attaches to the lower control arm or knuckle on this vehicle per the Viper service manual. Remove the bolt and nut. Support the shock absorber to prevent it from hanging on the upper mount.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts115 Nm (85 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Disconnect any brake line or ABS sensor brackets
   Check for any brake line retaining clips or ABS wheel speed sensor wiring brackets mounted to the control arm. Remove the mounting hardware to free these components. Do not disconnect brake lines or electrical connectors; simply unbolt the brackets to allow the lines to move clear of the control arm.
5. 5

   Remove control arm rear mounting bolt
   Locate the rear mounting bolt that attaches the control arm to the rear subframe or chassis mount. This is typically the rearward pivot point of the control arm. Remove the bolt completely. Note the orientation of any washers or bushings for reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove control arm front mounting bolt
   Locate the front mounting bolt that attaches the control arm to the front subframe or chassis mount. This is the forward pivot point of the control arm. Remove the bolt completely while supporting the control arm to prevent it from falling. Note the orientation of any washers or bushings.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove the lower control arm
   With both mounting bolts removed, carefully lower the floor jack supporting the suspension to create clearance. Maneuver the control arm out of the mounting brackets and away from the vehicle. Inspect the mounting bushings in the control arm for wear, cracking, or deterioration. If replacing only the arm and reusing bushings, they may need to be pressed out and into the new arm.
8. 8

   Inspect mounting points and prepare for installation
   Clean the control arm mounting bolt holes in the chassis brackets with a wire brush. Inspect the mounting bracket surfaces for damage, cracks, or excessive wear. Check the mounting bolts for thread damage or corrosion and replace if necessary. Apply a light coating of anti-seize compound to the bolt threads if not using new pre-coated fasteners.
9. 9

   Install the new or serviced lower control arm
   Position the new or serviced control arm into the mounting brackets, aligning the bushing holes with the chassis mounting points. Raise the floor jack under the suspension to align the control arm with the mounting bolt holes. Insert the front mounting bolt first, threading it through the chassis bracket and control arm bushing. Insert the bolt from the same direction as originally installed. Install the nut but do not torque at this time. Repeat for the rear mounting bolt.
10. 10

    Reconnect shock absorber lower mount
    Raise the floor jack to align the shock absorber lower mounting eye with the control arm or knuckle mounting point. Install the lower shock mounting bolt and nut. Torque the bolt to specification.
    Torque spec

    Strut Bolts115 Nm (85 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reconnect sway bar link (if equipped)
    If the sway bar link was disconnected, align the link with the control arm mounting point and install the lower nut. Hold the link shaft with an Allen key and torque the nut to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reattach brake line and sensor brackets
    Reinstall any brake line retaining clips or ABS sensor brackets that were removed from the control arm. Ensure all lines and wiring are properly routed and secured with no tension or interference with suspension travel.
13. 13

    Install wheel and lower vehicle to load suspension
    Install the rear wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Remove the jack stands and carefully lower the vehicle until the suspension is at normal ride height with the vehicle weight on the wheels. Do not fully lower the vehicle to the ground yet; it should be just barely touching the ground or on ramps to maintain ride height while allowing access underneath.
14. 14

    Torque control arm mounting bolts at ride height
    With the vehicle at normal ride height and the suspension loaded, torque both the front and rear control arm mounting bolts to specification. This is critical: control arm bushings must be torqued with the suspension at ride height to prevent bushing bind and premature wear. Torque both control arm pivot bolts to the manufacturer-specified value; verify the exact torque for the front and rear pivots in the 2005 Viper service manual, as they may differ.
    ⚠Control arm bolts MUST be torqued with vehicle weight on wheels at normal ride height. Torquing at full droop will pre-load the bushings and cause premature failure.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Final wheel installation
    Fully lower the vehicle to the ground. Torque the wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts142.4 Nm (105 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reassembly is covered in the procedural steps above, with critical attention to torquing control arm bolts at ride height
2. Ensure all brake lines and ABS sensors are properly secured and routed without interference

Verification

• Verify all fasteners are torqued to specification, particularly control arm mounting bolts at ride height
• Check that brake lines and ABS sensors have adequate clearance through full suspension travel
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area and listen for any unusual noises from the rear suspension
• Verify the vehicle tracks straight and there are no vibrations or handling abnormalities
• Schedule a four-wheel alignment as soon as possible after this repair

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

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