Control Arm Bushing - Rear

Remove and replace the rear control arm bushings on a 2008 Dodge Viper, including control arm removal, bushing press-out/in, and suspension reassembly.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear control arm bushing kit (includes inner and outer bushings per arm) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
4. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at manufacturer-approved jacking points
5. Secure vehicle on four jack stands (two front, two rear) for stability during bushing pressing operations
6. Remove rear wheels completely
7. Apply penetrating oil to control arm fasteners and allow to soak while preparing tools
8. Identify which control arm(s) require bushing replacement (upper or lower, left or right side)

Procedure

1. 1

   Mark alignment reference points
   Before loosening any fasteners, use a scribe tool or paint marker to mark the current position of the control arm relative to the chassis mounting brackets and knuckle attachment points. This provides a baseline reference for approximate alignment during reassembly, though professional alignment will still be required.
2. 2

   Support the rear knuckle assembly
   Position a floor jack with a block of wood under the rear knuckle/hub assembly to support the weight of the suspension. Raise jack until it just contacts and slightly supports the assembly, preventing it from dropping when the control arm is disconnected.
3. 3

   Disconnect outer control arm fastener
   Locate the outer control arm bolt that connects the arm to the rear knuckle or upright assembly. Using a breaker bar and appropriate metric socket, remove the outer bolt and nut. The outer fastener typically requires a socket on the bolt head and a wrench on the nut. Once loose, remove the bolt completely and set aside. Note the orientation and any washers or spacers present.
4. 4

   Disconnect inner control arm fasteners
   Locate the inner control arm mounting bolts at the chassis/subframe connection point. The inner mounting configuration varies by arm on the Viper's multi-link rear suspension; some arms use a single through-bolt pivot while others use additional fasteners. Verify the exact fastener count and arrangement for the specific arm being serviced before removal. Support the control arm as you remove the final bolt to prevent it from falling. Remove both inner mounting bolts using a socket and breaker bar. These bolts may require significant torque to break free. Support the control arm as you remove the final bolt to prevent it from falling.
5. 5

   Remove control arm from vehicle
   With all fasteners removed, carefully maneuver the control arm out of the suspension assembly. You may need to use a pry bar to separate the arm from mounting points if bushings are seized. Inspect the mounting points on the chassis and knuckle for damage or excessive wear. Clean mounting surfaces with a wire brush if necessary.
6. 6

   Inspect and measure old bushings
   With the control arm on your workbench, inspect the old bushings for cracking, tearing, oil contamination, or separation from the metal sleeves. Measure the outer diameter of the bushing housings and inner sleeve dimensions to verify correct replacement bushing sizes. Note the orientation of any offset or indexed bushings before removal.
7. 7

   Press out old bushings
   Using a hydraulic press or bushing press kit, position the control arm securely on the press bed with the bushing aligned over an appropriately sized receiving cup or opening. Select a press adapter that matches the outer diameter of the bushing sleeve. Apply steady pressure to press the old bushing out of the control arm. The bushing should move smoothly once it breaks free. Repeat for both inner and outer bushings if both are being replaced. Clean the bushing bore in the control arm thoroughly with a wire brush and inspect for cracks or damage.
8. 8

   Prepare new bushings and control arm
   Verify new bushings match the dimensions and style of the originals. Check for any alignment marks, voids, or orientation indicators on the new bushings. Some bushings have offset bores or directional installation requirements. Clean the control arm bushing bores with brake cleaner or degreaser. Follow the bushing manufacturer's instructions regarding lubrication; some pressed bushings require dry installation while others allow a light coat of dish soap solution or rubber lubricant (NOT petroleum-based grease) on the outer shell. Do not use lubricant unless specified for that bushing type.
9. 9

   Press in new bushings
   Position the control arm in the press with the bushing bore aligned with a support cup that contacts only the arm body, not the bushing area. Place the new bushing at the bore entrance, ensuring correct orientation per manufacturer instructions. Select a press adapter that contacts the outer bushing shell evenly. Apply steady, even pressure to press the bushing into the bore. The bushing should seat until it is flush with the control arm body or reaches the machined stop position. Verify the bushing is fully seated and centered. Repeat for the second bushing location.
10. 10

    Install control arm to chassis
    Position the control arm at the inner chassis mounting points, aligning the new bushings with the mounting brackets. Insert the inner mounting bolts through the bushings and chassis brackets, but do not tighten fully yet. Thread the bolts by hand initially to ensure proper alignment. Install any washers or spacers in their original positions and orientation.
11. 11

    Connect control arm to knuckle
    With the inner bolts finger-tight, maneuver the outer end of the control arm to align with the knuckle attachment point. You may need to adjust the supporting floor jack height to align the holes. Insert the outer bolt through the control arm bushing and knuckle mount. Install the washer and nut on the outer bolt and thread by hand. Use your alignment reference marks from Step 1 to position the arm as closely as possible to the original position.
12. 12

    Load suspension to ride height
    Before final tightening, raise the floor jack under the knuckle to simulate normal ride height suspension loading. This ensures the control arm bushings are not pre-twisted when fasteners are torqued. The suspension should be at or near its normal ride position, with the vehicle weight simulated by the jack stand height.
13. 13

    Torque all control arm fasteners
    With the suspension loaded to ride height, torque the inner control arm mounting bolts to the proper specification. Torque the outer control arm bolt/nut to specification. Torque fasteners in the sequence recommended by the manufacturer if specified. Remove the supporting floor jack from under the knuckle once all fasteners are torqued.
14. 14

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Reinstall the rear wheel and hand-thread all lug nuts. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground. Torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle and remove jack stands. Torque lug nuts again to final specification with vehicle on ground.

Reassembly

1. If both sides require bushing replacement, repeat the entire procedure for the opposite side
2. Verify all suspension fasteners are torqued to specification
3. Bounce the rear suspension several times to settle components before test driving

Verification

• Perform a visual inspection under the vehicle to confirm all fasteners are installed and tight
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area and listen for any unusual noises from the rear suspension
• Check for proper tracking and handling during initial test drive
• Schedule a professional four-wheel alignment immediately after completing this repair, as control arm removal and bushing replacement will affect rear suspension geometry

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