Raise the front of the vehicle and support it securely on stands.
Figure 11.8. Fastening elements of the lower arm of the front suspension: 1 – mudguard; 2 – nuts, retainer and sleeve; 3 – bushings, clamps and gasket; 4 – bolt and nut for fastening the ball joint; 5 – ball joint dust cover; 6 – bolt and nut for fastening the anti-roll bar to the lower arm; 7 – lower arm of the front suspension; 8 – rubber bushing; 9 – nuts and bolts for fastening the lower arm to the frame
If only the lower control arm is being removed, disconnect only the stabilizer bar connecting bolt from it (figure 11.8). If both lower control arms are removed, remove the stabilizer bar.
Remove the wheel(s) and mudguard (mud flaps).
Remove the bolts securing the lever bushings to the lower frame.
Loosen the nut securing the ball joint to the steering knuckle and use a pry bar to disconnect the ball joint from the steering knuckle.
Lower the lower arm.
Check all rubber bushings for hardening, wear and tear, and replace if necessary.
Check the dust boot and ball joint for wear or damage.
To replace the dust cover, you need to use special equipment; in addition, certain skills are required for the job, so to perform this work, take the lower arm to a specialized workshop. The ball joint cannot be replaced separately from the control arm. New bushings can be installed using a vice and tubes or mandrels of the appropriate diameter to press the old bushings out of the lever and press in the new ones. When installing the bushings, use a soap solution as a lubricant.
Installation of the lower arm of the front suspension is carried out in the reverse order of removal.
Caution! Final tightening of the nuts and bolts securing the lower front suspension arm to the lower frame should be performed after the vehicle is parked on its wheels.