Replace worn radius arm bushings (lower control arm bushings) on the front suspension to restore handling and eliminate clunking noises.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Lower control arm front bushing × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Lower control arm rear bushing × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Ball joint cotter pin × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
3. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at frame rails
4. Remove front wheels completely
5. Spray all control arm fasteners with penetrating oil and let soak 15-20 minutes

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove ball joint connection
   Remove the cotter pin from the ball joint castle nut. Using a 17mm socket, remove the ball joint nut connecting the lower control arm to the steering knuckle. Use a ball joint separator tool to disconnect the ball joint from the knuckle. Do not strike the ball joint stud with a hammer as this can damage the joint.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut84 Nm (62 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Disconnect stabilizer link if necessary
   If the stabilizer link interferes with control arm removal, use a 14mm socket and Allen key to hold the shaft while removing the nut connecting the sway bar link to the lower control arm. Move the link out of the way.
   Torque spec

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

   Support control arm
   Place a floor jack under the lower control arm near the ball joint to support the arm during removal. Apply slight upward pressure to take load off the mounting bolts.
4. 4

   Remove control arm mounting bolts
   Using a 19mm socket and breaker bar, remove the rear mounting bolt first, then the front mounting bolt securing the control arm to the subframe. Note the orientation of any washers or spacers. Carefully lower the jack and remove the control arm from the vehicle.
   ⚠Control arm will drop when bolts are removed. Keep hands clear and control descent with jack.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Inspect and mark bushing orientation
   Clean the control arm and inspect for cracks or damage. Mark the orientation of the existing bushings before removal, noting any offset angles or directional features. The bushings are often designed with specific orientation.
6. 6

   Press out old bushings
   Using a hydraulic press and appropriately sized adapters, press out the old front and rear bushings from the control arm. Support the arm on the press bed with the bushing area open. Apply steady pressure until the bushing is fully removed. Clean the bushing bores thoroughly with a wire brush and inspect for damage.
   ⚠Ensure press tooling is centered and aligned to avoid distorting control arm mounting eyes.
7. 7

   Install new bushings
   Apply a light coat of soapy water or rubber lubricant to the outer sleeve of the new bushings. Position the new bushing at the bore opening with correct orientation matching your earlier markings. Using the hydraulic press with proper adapters, press the new bushing into the control arm until it is fully seated and flush. Repeat for both front and rear bushings. Verify bushings are seated evenly all around.
   ℹ️Some bushings have alignment marks or offset angles that must match original orientation for proper suspension geometry.
8. 8

   Install control arm to subframe
   Position the control arm back into the subframe mounting points. Insert the front and rear mounting bolts through the bushings and hand-thread the nuts. Do not fully torque at this time. Use the floor jack to support the arm at approximately normal ride height position.
9. 9

   Reconnect ball joint
   Raise the control arm with the floor jack until the ball joint stud aligns with the hole in the steering knuckle. Insert the ball joint stud into the knuckle and install the castle nut. Torque the ball joint nut to specification and install a new cotter pin. Bend cotter pin ends to secure.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut84 Nm (62 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reconnect stabilizer link if removed
    If the sway bar link was disconnected, reconnect it to the control arm. Hold the shaft with an Allen key and torque the nut to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install wheel and lower vehicle
    Install the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle until the tires just touch the ground but the suspension is at normal ride height with full vehicle weight on the wheels. This is critical for proper control arm bolt torque.
    ℹ️Control arm bolts must be torqued with vehicle weight on suspension, not with wheels hanging.
12. 12

    Torque control arm bolts at ride height
    With the vehicle at normal ride height and weight on the suspension, torque both the front and rear control arm mounting bolts to specification. This ensures the bushings are properly pre-loaded at their normal operating position.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Final torque and lower vehicle
    Raise the vehicle slightly and torque the wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle completely and remove jack stands. Repeat entire procedure for the opposite side.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification in the correct sequence
2. Verify cotter pins are properly installed and bent on ball joint nuts
3. Confirm control arm bolts were torqued at proper ride height, not with suspension hanging

Verification

• Test drive vehicle and verify elimination of clunking or knocking noises over bumps
• Check that steering response is normal with no binding or unusual resistance
• Perform visual inspection after 50-100 miles to verify all fasteners remain tight
• Schedule a professional wheel alignment as suspension geometry has been disturbed

More procedures for this vehicle