Upper control arm (front) – removal and installation
Note: This procedure applies to models equipped with independent front suspension.
Removal
1. Loosen the wheel lug nuts, raise the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands placed under the frame rails. Remove the wheel.
2. Loosen (but don’t remove) the nut on the upper balljoint stud, then disconnect the balljoint from the steering knuckle with a balljoint removal tool (see illustration). Note: If you don’t have the proper balljoint removal tool, a picklefork type balljoint separator can be used, but keep in mind that this type of tool will probably destroy the balljoint boot.
6.2 Back off the nut a few turns, then separate the balljoint from the steering knuckle (leaving the nut on the ballstud will prevent the balljoint from separating violently)
3. If necessary for clearance, remove the brake disc (see Brakes).
4. Detach the wiring harness from the control arm.
5. Remove the nuts and pivot bolts that attach the control arm to the frame (see illus tration). Pull the upper arm from its frame brackets.
6.5 Remove the nuts and the upper control arm pivot bolts; turn the bolts, not the nuts
Installation
6. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Tighten all fasteners to the torque values listed in this Chapter’s Specifications, but don’t tighten the pivot bolt nuts until the vehicle is sitting at normal ride height. If it’s too hard to get to the nuts with the wheel on, normal ride height can be simulated by raising the outer end of the lower control arm with a floor jack.
7. Install the wheel and lug nuts. Lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts to the torque listed in the Tune-up and routine maintenance Specifications. Have the front end alignment checked and, if necessary, adjusted.