This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the lateral arm (control arm) on a 2025 Rivian EDV 500 dual motor AWD electric delivery van.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Lateral arm (control arm) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Lateral arm bushing kit × 1 — Use OEM specification if replacing bushings separately
• Ball joint castle nut × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Cotter pin × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Control arm mounting bolts × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and apply parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind wheels opposite to the side being serviced
3. Deactivate the high-voltage system following Rivian service procedures
4. Disconnect the 12V battery negative terminal and wait 2 minutes
5. Loosen wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
6. Raise vehicle with floor jack at designated jacking point
7. Support vehicle with heavy-duty jack stands at frame rails
8. Remove wheel and tire assembly completely
9. Spray all fasteners with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes
10. Visually inspect surrounding components for damage or wear

Procedure

1. 1

   Support the suspension
   Position a floor jack under the lower control arm or knuckle assembly to support the weight of the suspension. Raise jack just enough to take load off the lateral arm but not to lift the vehicle. This prevents the suspension from dropping when the arm is disconnected.
2. 2

   Disconnect stabilizer bar link
   If the lateral arm interferes with the stabilizer bar link, remove the link-to-control arm connection. Hold the ball stud with a wrench and remove the retaining nut. Disconnect the link and move it aside. Note the orientation for reassembly.
3. 3

   Remove outer ball joint connection
   Remove the cotter pin from the ball joint castle nut at the knuckle connection. Remove the castle nut completely. Use a ball joint separator or pickle fork to separate the lateral arm ball joint from the steering knuckle. Apply force evenly to avoid damaging the knuckle or boot. Once separated, support the knuckle to prevent strain on brake lines or ABS wiring.
4. 4

   Mark alignment reference points
   Before removing the lateral arm from the subframe, mark the position of any adjustment cams, eccentric bolts, or the arm position relative to the mounting brackets. Take photos from multiple angles. This provides a baseline reference for alignment after installation, though professional alignment is still required.
5. 5

   Remove front mounting bolt
   Locate the front lateral arm mounting bolt that secures the arm to the subframe or suspension crossmember. Support the arm with one hand or secure with wire. Remove the bolt completely. The arm may now pivot on the rear mount only.
6. 6

   Remove rear mounting bolt
   Remove the rear lateral arm mounting bolt from the subframe or chassis mounting point. The lateral arm is now free from the vehicle. Carefully extract the arm from the suspension assembly, maneuvering around brake lines, ABS sensors, and electric motor components if applicable.
7. 7

   Inspect mounting points and bushings
   Clean the subframe mounting points with a wire brush. Inspect for corrosion, elongated holes, or cracks in the subframe. Check the removed lateral arm bushings for deterioration, cracking, or separation. If only bushings are damaged and the arm is straight, consider pressing new bushings into the existing arm.
8. 8

   Prepare new lateral arm
   Unpack the new lateral arm and verify it matches the original part. Check that bushings are properly seated if pre-installed. Apply a thin coat of anti-seize compound to the mounting bolt threads (unless bolts use thread-locking compound pre-applied). Do not apply lubricant to ball joint tapers or bushings.
9. 9

   Install new lateral arm to subframe
   Position the new lateral arm into the subframe mounting points, aligning with the reference marks made earlier. Insert the front mounting bolt first, threading it by hand. Then insert the rear mounting bolt and thread by hand. Do not fully tighten bolts yet; leave them finger-tight to allow for adjustment.
10. 10

    Connect ball joint to knuckle
    Align the lateral arm ball joint stud with the hole in the steering knuckle. You may need to use the floor jack to raise or lower the suspension slightly for alignment. Insert the stud fully into the knuckle. Install the new castle nut and tighten to specification (specification not available in database - consult Rivian service manual). Install a new cotter pin through the castle nut slots and ball stud hole, bending the ends to secure.
11. 11

    Reconnect stabilizer bar link
    If previously disconnected, reconnect the stabilizer bar link to the lateral arm or mounting point. Install the retaining nut and tighten to specification while holding the ball stud with a wrench to prevent spinning.
12. 12

    Torque lateral arm mounting bolts
    With the vehicle weight on the suspension (lower jack slightly to load suspension but keep vehicle on jack stands), torque the front and rear lateral arm mounting bolts to specification (specification not available in database - consult Rivian service manual). Bolts must be torqued at ride height or with suspension loaded to prevent bushing bind. This is critical for bushing longevity.
13. 13

    Final inspection and cleaning
    Remove the floor jack from under the suspension. Inspect all connections visually to ensure proper installation. Check that no brake lines, ABS wiring, or electrical cables are pinched or under tension. Clean any excess anti-seize compound or dirt from the work area.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the wheel and tire assembly onto the hub
2. Thread lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading
3. Snug lug nuts in a star pattern while vehicle is on jack stands
4. Carefully raise vehicle and remove jack stands
5. Lower vehicle completely to the ground
6. Torque wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern (specification not available - consult owner's manual)
7. Reconnect the 12V battery negative terminal
8. Reactivate the high-voltage system following Rivian procedures
9. Perform a visual inspection of the repair area from all angles

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area and listen for any clunking, popping, or unusual noises from the suspension
• Check for vibration or pulling to one side during straight-line driving
• Verify steering returns to center after turns
• Schedule a professional four-wheel alignment immediately - this is mandatory after lateral arm replacement
• After alignment, re-torque all lateral arm fasteners and verify cotter pin installation
• Re-inspect all mounting points after 50-100 miles of driving
• Monitor tire wear patterns over the next 500 miles to confirm proper alignment

More procedures for this vehicle