Control Arm Bushing - Front Lower

Replace the front lower control arm bushings on a 2008 Dodge Viper by removing the control arm, pressing out the old bushings, installing new bushings, and reinstalling the arm with proper alignment.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front lower control arm bushing kit × 2 — Use OEM specification or aftermarket equivalent

Preparation

1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the parking brake.
2. Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
3. Loosen the front wheel lug nuts while the vehicle is on the ground.
4. Raise the front of the vehicle with a floor jack and support it securely on jack stands positioned under the frame rails.
5. Remove the front wheels completely.
6. Spray all suspension fasteners with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes.

Procedure

1. 1

   Mark alignment position
   Before removing any fasteners, use a paint pen or alignment marking tool to mark the position of the control arm cam bolts and their adjustment position. This will serve as a reference for initial reassembly alignment.
2. 2

   Disconnect sway bar end link
   Locate the sway bar end link attached to the lower control arm. Using an 18mm wrench to hold the ball stud and a 15mm socket on the nut, remove the nut securing the sway bar end link to the control arm. Separate the end link from the control arm.
3. 3

   Support the lower control arm
   Position a floor jack under the lower control arm near the ball joint area. Raise the jack just enough to take up the weight of the control arm and slightly compress the suspension. This relieves tension on the control arm fasteners and prevents the arm from dropping when bolts are removed.
4. 4

   Remove shock absorber lower mounting
   Locate the shock absorber lower mounting bolt that connects to the lower control arm. Using a 21mm socket, remove the bolt securing the shock to the control arm. Allow the shock to hang free or support it with a bungee cord to prevent strain on the upper mount.
5. 5

   Remove control arm rear bushing bolt
   Locate the rear control arm mounting bolt that secures the control arm to the rear bushing bracket on the frame. This is typically an 18mm bolt. Remove the bolt completely and retain any washers or spacers for reinstallation. Note the orientation of any eccentric washers or cam adjusters.
6. 6

   Remove control arm front bushing bolt
   Locate the front control arm mounting bolt that secures the control arm to the front bushing bracket on the frame. This is typically a 21mm bolt with cam adjustment features. Remove the bolt completely while noting the position of the cam adjuster marked in step 1. Retain all washers, cams, and spacers.
7. 7

   Remove control arm
   With both mounting bolts removed, carefully lower the floor jack to relieve pressure on the control arm. Maneuver the control arm out of the mounting brackets and remove it from the vehicle. The ball joint will remain attached to the knuckle; the arm pivots away from the frame mounts.
8. 8

   Clean control arm mounting areas
   With the control arm removed, use a wire brush to clean the bushing mounting bores in the control arm. Remove all rust, debris, and old bushing material. Clean the frame mounting brackets and inspect for damage or excessive wear.
9. 9

   Press out old bushings
   Secure the control arm in a vise or on a stable work surface. Using a hydraulic bushing press kit or ball joint press with appropriately sized receivers and drivers, press the old bushings out of the control arm. Press from the outboard side toward the inboard side, using a receiver cup larger than the bushing outer diameter and a driver cup smaller than the bushing bore. Apply steady pressure until the bushing is completely removed. Repeat for both front and rear bushing locations.
10. 10

    Inspect control arm and prepare for installation
    Inspect the control arm bushing bores for cracks, elongation, or damage. If the bores are damaged, the control arm must be replaced. Clean the bores thoroughly with a wire brush. If the bushing manufacturer specifies a lubricant, apply only that approved lubricant; otherwise install dry as many pressed bushings must not be lubricated.
11. 11

    Press in new bushings
    Position the new bushing at the control arm bore, ensuring correct orientation (most bushings have a void or notch that must align with the control arm). Using the hydraulic press with the appropriate receiver and driver cups, press the new bushing into the control arm bore. Press until the bushing is fully seated and flush with the control arm housing. Verify that the bushing is centered and the inner sleeve rotates freely. Repeat for both front and rear bushing positions.
12. 12

    Reinstall control arm to vehicle
    Position the floor jack under the ball joint area of the control arm. Maneuver the control arm back into position, aligning the bushings with the frame mounting brackets. Raise the jack to align the mounting points while guiding the arm into place.
13. 13

    Install control arm mounting bolts
    Insert the front and rear control arm mounting bolts through the frame brackets and control arm bushings. Install all washers, cams, and spacers in their original positions as noted during disassembly. Align the cam adjusters to the marks made in step 1. Thread the nuts onto the bolts but do not torque at this time—leave them hand-tight plus one turn.
14. 14

    Reconnect shock absorber and sway bar
    Reconnect the shock absorber lower mounting bolt to the control arm and thread the nut hand-tight. Reconnect the sway bar end link to the control arm, holding the ball stud with an 18mm wrench while threading the nut hand-tight with a 15mm socket.
15. 15

    Load suspension to ride height and torque fasteners
    Lower the vehicle so the wheels are back on the ground, or use the floor jack to raise the lower control arm until the suspension is at normal ride height position (simulating vehicle weight on the ground). With the suspension loaded to ride height, torque the front control arm bolt to specification, then the rear control arm bolt to specification, the shock absorber lower bolt to specification, and the sway bar end link nut to specification. This critical step ensures the bushings are not pre-twisted, which would cause premature failure.

Reassembly

1. Install the front wheels and torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
2. Lower the vehicle completely to the ground.
3. Bounce the front end of the vehicle several times to settle the suspension before performing a final torque check on all fasteners.
4. Repeat the entire procedure for the opposite side if both sides require bushing replacement.

Verification

• Verify all fasteners are torqued to specification with the suspension at ride height.
• Visually inspect that all components are properly connected and no tools or parts are left in the wheel well.
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area and verify no abnormal noises, vibrations, or handling issues.
• Have a four-wheel alignment performed immediately after completing the repair to ensure proper suspension geometry and tire wear characteristics.

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

More procedures for this vehicle