This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear lower control arm on a 2012-2017 Toyota Camry with a 2.5L I4 engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear lower control arm × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Ball joint castle nut (if applicable) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
4. Raise rear of vehicle and support securely on jack stands placed on designated jacking points
5. Remove rear wheel completely
6. Spray control arm bolts and ball joint nut with penetrating oil if components show corrosion

Procedure

1. 1

   Support the rear knuckle assembly
   Position a floor jack under the rear knuckle/hub assembly to support its weight. Raise jack just enough to take the load off the control arm, but do not lift the vehicle. This prevents the assembly from dropping when the control arm is disconnected.
2. 2

   Disconnect ball joint from knuckle
   Remove the ball joint castle nut from the lower control arm ball joint stud where it connects to the rear knuckle. Use a ball joint separator tool to separate the ball joint taper from the knuckle. Apply pressure with the separator tool and tap the knuckle mounting area with a hammer to break the taper free. Do not damage the ball joint boot.
   ⚠The ball joint separator can slip suddenly when the taper breaks free. Maintain control of the tool.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut88 Nm (65 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove front control arm bolt
   Locate the front mounting bolt that secures the control arm to the front subframe bushing mount. This bolt passes through the control arm bushing horizontally. Use a 19mm socket and breaker bar to remove this bolt completely. The control arm will now be supported only by the rear bolt.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove rear control arm bolt
   Locate the rear mounting bolt that secures the control arm to the rear subframe bushing mount. Use a 19mm socket and breaker bar to remove this bolt completely. Support the control arm as you remove the final bolt to prevent it from falling.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove old control arm
   Once both mounting bolts are removed and the ball joint is disconnected, remove the lower control arm from the vehicle. Maneuver it out from between the knuckle and subframe. Inspect the removed arm for damage, bent metal, or torn bushings to confirm the reason for replacement.
6. 6

   Prepare new control arm
   Compare the new control arm to the old unit to verify correct part. Check that bushings are properly seated in the control arm and that the ball joint moves freely without excessive play. Clean the mounting bolt holes in the subframe with a wire brush if needed.
7. 7

   Install new control arm to subframe
   Position the new control arm into place and align the bushing holes with the subframe mounting points. Insert both front and rear mounting bolts through the control arm bushings and subframe. Thread the bolts by hand but do NOT torque them yet. Leave them just snug enough to hold the control arm in position.
8. 8

   Connect ball joint to knuckle
   Lower the floor jack slightly if needed to align the ball joint stud with the hole in the rear knuckle. Insert the ball joint stud into the knuckle and install the new castle nut. Torque the ball joint nut to specification. If the castle nut slots do not align with the cotter pin hole, tighten further to the next slot alignment. Never loosen to align.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut88 Nm (65 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reinstall wheel
   Mount the rear wheel onto the hub and hand-thread all lug nuts. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern until wheel is snug against hub but not fully torqued yet.
10. 10

    Lower vehicle to load suspension
    Carefully remove jack stands and lower the vehicle until the full weight is resting on the wheels and suspension is at normal ride height. Do not allow vehicle to bounce or roll. The suspension must be at normal loaded position before torquing control arm bolts.
    ⚠️Control arm bolts MUST be torqued with vehicle weight on suspension. Torquing with suspension hanging will preload bushings incorrectly and cause premature failure.
11. 11

    Torque control arm mounting bolts
    With vehicle weight on wheels and suspension loaded, torque both the front and rear control arm mounting bolts to specification using a torque wrench. Torque in whatever order is accessible, ensuring both bolts reach proper torque value.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Final torque wheel lug nuts
    Torque the wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern using a torque wrench. Make at least two complete passes to ensure even torque distribution.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Control arm mounting bolts must be torqued only after vehicle weight is on the suspension
2. Verify ball joint castle nut is properly torqued and cotter pin is installed if equipped
3. Double-check that all fasteners are tightened to specification

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed and verify no unusual noises or vibrations from rear suspension
• Perform visual inspection under vehicle to confirm control arm is properly seated and all fasteners are tight
• Schedule four-wheel alignment as rear control arm replacement will affect toe and camber settings
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-check torque on control arm bolts and lug nuts

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