This procedure covers removal and replacement of the front upper control arm on a 2018-2024 Toyota Camry with 2.5L I4 engine, including disconnection of the ball joint and control arm mounting points.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front upper control arm assembly × 1 — 48068-06190 (driver) or 48069-06190 (passenger)
• Cotter pin for ball joint × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Upper control arm mounting hardware kit × 1 — Use OEM specification if not included with control arm

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on the ground
3. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at designated jacking point
4. Support vehicle with jack stands under frame rails
5. Remove front wheel on side being serviced
6. Spray all fasteners with penetrating oil if corrosion is present and allow to soak

Procedure

1. 1

   Support the lower suspension
   Position a floor jack under the lower control arm or brake caliper mount to support the suspension assembly. This prevents the suspension from dropping when the upper ball joint is disconnected. Raise jack just enough to take slight tension.
2. 2

   Remove ball joint cotter pin
   Locate the upper ball joint nut at the top of the steering knuckle. Straighten and remove the cotter pin using needle nose pliers or a cotter pin removal tool. Discard the old cotter pin as a new one must be installed.
3. 3

   Loosen ball joint nut
   Using a 17mm socket, loosen the upper ball joint castle nut but do not remove it completely yet. Leave the nut threaded on a few turns to protect the threads and prevent sudden separation.
   ⚠Do not remove the nut completely before using the separator tool to prevent the ball joint from violently separating.
4. 4

   Separate ball joint from knuckle
   Install a ball joint separator tool or pickle fork between the upper control arm and steering knuckle. Strike or operate the tool to break the taper fit. Once the joint is loose, remove the castle nut completely and separate the ball joint stud from the knuckle. Lower the jack slightly to allow clearance.
5. 5

   Access upper control arm mounting bolts
   From the engine bay, locate the two upper control arm mounting bolts that attach the control arm to the frame. These are accessed from above, near the strut tower area. Clean the bolt heads and surrounding area with a wire brush if necessary.
6. 6

   Remove control arm mounting bolts
   Using a 14mm socket and wrench, remove the two upper control arm mounting bolts. These bolts typically have nuts on the backside that need to be held while loosening. Note the orientation of any washers or spacers for reinstallation.
7. 7

   Remove upper control arm
   Pull the upper control arm assembly away from the mounting points and out of the wheel well. The arm may need to be maneuvered at an angle. Inspect the mounting points on the frame for damage or excessive corrosion.
8. 8

   Prepare new control arm
   Compare the new upper control arm to the old unit to verify correct fitment. Ensure all bushings are properly seated and the ball joint boot is intact. Apply a thin coat of anti-seize to the ball joint stud threads.
9. 9

   Install new control arm to frame
   Position the new upper control arm into the frame mounting points. Insert the mounting bolts with any washers or spacers in their original orientation. Thread the bolts by hand first to ensure proper alignment. Snug the bolts but do not torque yet as they must be torqued with vehicle weight on wheels.
10. 10

    Connect ball joint to knuckle
    Raise the floor jack under the lower suspension to bring the steering knuckle up to meet the upper ball joint stud. Insert the ball joint stud through the knuckle hole. Thread the new castle nut onto the stud and tighten to specification. Align the castle nut slots with the stud hole for cotter pin installation.
    ℹ️If the castle nut slots do not align with the cotter pin hole at specified torque, tighten further to the next alignment point. Never loosen to align.
    Torque spec

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

    Install new cotter pin
    Insert a new cotter pin through the castle nut slots and ball joint stud hole. Bend the cotter pin ends in opposite directions to secure. Ensure the cotter pin is fully seated and cannot back out.
12. 12

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Reinstall the front wheel and thread lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle until the wheel just touches the ground with slight weight on it. This is the proper position for final torquing of suspension components.
13. 13

    Torque control arm mounting bolts
    With vehicle weight on the wheels, torque the two upper control arm mounting bolts to specification. This critical step ensures the control arm bushings are properly preloaded and prevents premature bushing failure.
    ⚠Failure to torque these bolts with vehicle weight on wheels will cause premature bushing wear and potential suspension noise.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Final torque wheel lug nuts
    Lower the vehicle completely to the ground and remove jack stands. Torque the wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern to ensure even pressure distribution on the wheel.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification
2. Verify the cotter pin is properly installed and secured
3. Remove floor jack from under vehicle
4. Repeat procedure for opposite side if necessary

Verification

• Bounce the front end of the vehicle several times and listen for unusual noises indicating improper installation
• Verify there is no excessive play in the ball joint by attempting to move the wheel vertically with the vehicle on the ground
• Check that the steering operates smoothly through full lock-to-lock rotation
• Schedule a professional wheel alignment as soon as possible, as suspension geometry has been altered
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area and verify normal steering response and no unusual noises

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