Service Manual

5.16
BODY / STEERING / SUSPENSION
FRONT A-ARMS
Removal / Replacement
The following procedure details upper and lower A-arm
removal and replacement on one side of the vehicle.
1. Elevate and safely support the front of the vehicle and
remove the front wheel.
2. Remove the lower shock fastener (A) from the upper A-
arm.
3. Remove the upper ball joint pinch bolt (B) from the front
bearing carrier.
4. Using a soft face hammer, tap on bearing carrier to loosen
the upper A-arm ball joint end while lifting upward on the
upper A-arm. Completely remove the ball joint end from
the bearing carrier.
5. Remove the front bumper to allow A-arm bolt removal.
6. Loosen and remove the upper A-arm through-bolt fastener
(C) and remove the upper A-arm from the vehicle.
7. Examine A-arm bushings and pivot tube (see “Exploded
View”). Replace if worn. Discard hardware.
8. If not replacing the A-arm, thoroughly clean the A-arm and
pivot tube.
9. Install new ball joint into A-arm. Refer to “Ball Joint
Replacement” section.
10. Insert new A-arm bushings and pivot tube into new A-arm.
11. Install new upper A-arm assembly onto vehicle frame.
Torque new bolt to 37 ft. lbs. (50 Nm).
12. Insert upper A-arm ball joint end into the bearing carrier.
Install the upper ball joint pinch bolt (B) into the bearing
carrier and torque bolt to 17 ft. lbs. (23 Nm).
13. Attach shock to A-arm with spacer (D) and fastener (A)
(see “FRONT STABILIZER BAR - Exploded View”).
Torque lower shock bolt to 27-33 ft. lbs. (37-45 Nm).
14. Remove the lower ball joint pinch bolt (E) from the front
bearing carrier.
15. Using a soft face hammer, tap on bearing carrier to loosen
the lower A-arm ball joint end while pushing downward on
the lower A-arm. Completely remove the ball joint end
from the bearing carrier.
16. Loosen and remove the lower A-arm through-bolt fastener
(F) and remove the lower A-arm from the vehicle.
17. Examine A-arm bushings and pivot tube (see “Exploded
View”). Replace if worn. Discard hardware.
18. If not replacing the A-arm, thoroughly clean the A-arm and
pivot tube.
19. Install new ball joint into A-arm. Refer to “Ball Joint
Replacement” section.
20. Insert new A-arm bushings and pivot tube into new A-arm.
21. Install new lower A-arm assembly onto vehicle frame.
Torque new bolt to 37 ft. lbs. (50 Nm).
22. Insert lower A-arm ball joint end into the bearing carrier.
Install the lower ball joint pinch bolt (E) into the bearing
carrier and torque bolt to 17 ft. lbs. (23 Nm).
WARNING
The locking agent on the existing bolts was
destroyed during removal. DO NOT reuse old
hardware. Serious injury or death could result if
fasteners come loose during operation.
WARNING
Upon A-arm installation completion, test vehicle
at low speeds before putting into service.
Upper / Lower A-arm Bolt Torque:
37 ft. lbs. (50 Nm)
Ball Joint Pinch Bolt Torque:
17 ft. lbs. (23 Nm)
A
B
C
D
E
F