This procedure covers the replacement of the front lower control arm radius arm bushings on a 2012-2017 Toyota Camry with the 2.5L I4 engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front lower control arm radius arm bushing × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Ball joint castle nut × 2 — Use OEM specification if damaged
• Cotter pin × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
4. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-specified jacking points
5. Remove front wheels completely
6. Spray penetrating oil on control arm bolts, ball joint nut, and bushing hardware if visible corrosion is present

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove ball joint cotter pin and castle nut
   Locate the ball joint castle nut connecting the lower control arm to the steering knuckle. Remove the cotter pin using pliers and discard. Using a 17mm socket, loosen and remove the ball joint castle nut. Keep nut if reusing.
2. 2

   Separate ball joint from steering knuckle
   Use a ball joint separator tool or pickle fork to separate the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle. Position the tool between the control arm and knuckle, then apply force to break the taper. Once separated, allow the control arm to hang down.
3. 3

   Remove front control arm mounting bolt
   Locate the front control arm bolt (nearest to the front of the vehicle) that passes through the radius arm bushing. Use a 17mm socket and wrench to remove this bolt completely. Note the orientation of any washers or spacers for reassembly.
4. 4

   Remove rear control arm mounting bolt
   Locate the rear control arm bolt that secures the control arm to the subframe. Use a 17mm socket and wrench to remove this bolt completely. The control arm should now be free to remove from the vehicle.
5. 5

   Remove control arm from vehicle
   Carefully lower and remove the control arm assembly from the vehicle. Place on a clean work surface. Inspect control arm for damage, cracks, or excessive wear that would require complete replacement.
6. 6

   Press out old radius arm bushing
   Using a hydraulic press or specialized bushing removal tool, press the old radius arm bushing out of the control arm. Support the control arm properly and apply pressure evenly to the bushing outer shell. Work carefully to avoid damaging the control arm bore.
   ⚠Ensure control arm is properly supported during pressing operation to prevent distortion or damage to the arm.
7. 7

   Clean bushing bore
   Use a wire brush and clean rag to remove any rust, debris, or old bushing material from the control arm bushing bore. Inspect bore for damage or distortion. The bore must be clean and smooth for proper new bushing installation.
8. 8

   Press in new radius arm bushing
   Position the new radius arm bushing in the control arm bore, ensuring proper alignment. The bushing may have orientation marks or voids that must align with control arm features. Using a hydraulic press or bushing installation tool, press the new bushing into place until fully seated and flush with the control arm.
   ⚠Verify bushing orientation before pressing. Some bushings have directional installation requirements indicated by voids or markings.
9. 9

   Install control arm to subframe
   Position the control arm back into the vehicle and align the mounting points with the subframe. Insert both front and rear control arm bolts finger-tight only. Do not torque at this time. Ensure any washers or spacers are in their original positions.
10. 10

    Connect ball joint to steering knuckle
    Lift the control arm ball joint stud up into the steering knuckle hole. Thread on the new or cleaned castle nut and tighten to specification using a torque wrench. If the cotter pin hole does not align, tighten further (never loosen) until the next slot aligns. Install a new cotter pin and bend tabs to secure.
    Torque spec

    Ball Joint Nut88 Nm (65 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install wheels and lower vehicle
    Reinstall the front wheels and hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern. Carefully lower the vehicle until the suspension is fully loaded with vehicle weight on the wheels, but keep jack positioned as safety backup. Do not fully remove jack stands yet.
12. 12

    Torque control arm bolts with vehicle at ride height
    With the vehicle weight on the wheels and suspension at normal ride height, torque both front and rear control arm mounting bolts to specification. This is critical for proper bushing function and longevity. Use a torque wrench and ensure full torque is achieved on both bolts.
    ⚠Control arm bolts MUST be torqued with vehicle weight on suspension. Torquing while suspended will cause bushing bind and premature failure.
    Torque spec

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

    Final wheel installation
    Raise vehicle slightly to remove safety jack and stands completely. Lower vehicle fully to ground. Torque wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern using a torque wrench.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Repeat entire procedure for opposite side if replacing both radius arm bushings
2. Verify all fasteners are properly torqued and cotter pins are installed
3. Inspect work area to ensure no tools or parts were left in wheel well or under vehicle

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed in a safe area and verify no unusual noises from front suspension
• Check for proper steering response and handling with no pulling to either side
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-torque wheel lug nuts to specification
• Schedule a professional wheel alignment as control arm removal will affect alignment settings

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