Control Arm: Service and Repair

The upper control arm and ball joint are replaced as an assembly.
1. Raise and support front of vehicle under the lower control arms, remove wheel assembly.
2. Remove shock absorber dust cover.

Fig. 8 Front suspension component part arrangement (Part 1 of 2). Exc. 4x4 models:

Fig. 8 Front suspension component part arrangement (Part 2 of 2). Exc. 4x4 models:

3. Remove cotter pin and castellated nut from upper ball joint, separate upper control arm from the knuckle, Fig. 8. Wire the knuckle assembly to the frame or other support, to prevent assembly from hanging by the brake flexible line.
4. Remove the two upper pivot mounting bolts, then the upper shock retaining nut, retainer and grommet. Compress the shock absorber.
5. Remove the upper control arm from the bracket.


Pivot Shaft, Replace
1. Remove the bolts, lock washers, washers and plates from each side of the pivot shaft.

Fig. 11 Removing pivot arm shaft bushing. Pickup:

Fig. 12 Removing pivot arm shaft bushing. Pickup:

2. Remove the bushings and pivot shaft from the upper control arm using tool J-29775, Figs. 11 and 12.

Fig. 13 Installing pivot arm shaft bushing. Pickup:

Fig. 14 Installing pivot arm shaft bushing. Pickup:

3. Install new pivot shaft and bushing on the upper control arm using tool J-29775, Figs. 13 and 14. Install plates, washers, lock washers and bolts, torque bolts to 87 ft. lbs.
4. Install ball joint stud through the steering knuckle, install castellated nut and torque to 75 ft. lbs. (plus additional torque to align cotter pin) and install cotter pin.
5. Install upper control arm on chassis frame. Torque upper pivot mounting bolts to 75 ft. lbs.
6. Install wheel assembly and lower vehicle.