🔧 Control Arms - Replacement

This procedure covers replacing the front control arms on your Ram. The front suspension uses upper and lower arms, and the exact work can vary depending on which arm is being replaced, but the removal and installation process is similar. Afterward, you must get a professional alignment.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 4-6 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the truck with jack stands; never work under a vehicle held up only by a jack.
• Use a spring compressor only if the front coil spring is unloaded during arm removal. A spring is under heavy tension and can cause serious injury.
• Disconnect the negative battery cable if any steering angle sensor or electronic suspension components are disturbed.
• Do not fully tighten suspension bolts with the wheel hanging. Final torque must be set at ride height.
• An alignment is required after control arm replacement.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Breaker bar
• Metric socket set
• 18mm socket
• 21mm socket
• 24mm socket
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench
• Socket extension set
• Combination wrench set
• Ball joint separator (specialty)
• Dead blow hammer
• Pry bar
• Penetrating oil
• Spring compressor (specialty)
• Paint marker

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front upper control arm - Qty: 2 if replacing both sides
• Front lower control arm - Qty: 2 if replacing both sides
• Control arm hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Control arm bushings - Qty: 2 if serviceable separately
• Ball joint - Qty: 2 if separate from control arm

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts before lifting.
• Raise the front of the truck and support it securely on jack stands.
• Spray all control arm fasteners with penetrating oil before removal.
• Mark cam bolt positions with a paint marker if your truck uses cam bolts for alignment adjustment.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the front end

• Use a floor jack to lift the front of the truck.
• Place jack stands under the frame and lower the truck onto them.
• Remove the front wheels with a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Support the suspension

• Place the floor jack under the lower control arm or knuckle to keep the suspension supported.
• If replacing an upper arm, support the knuckle so the spring stays controlled.
• Keep one hand clear of pinch points.

Step 3: Disconnect the sway bar link if needed

• Use the correct socket and wrench set to remove the sway bar link from the control arm if it blocks access.
• Set the link aside without hanging it by the boot.

Step 4: Separate the ball joint

• Remove the ball joint nut using the correct socket or wrench.
• Use a ball joint separator to break the taper loose from the knuckle.
• If needed, tap the knuckle with a dead blow hammer to help release it.
• Do not strike the ball joint stud.

Step 5: Remove the control arm pivot bolts

• Use the appropriate 18mm socket, 21mm socket, or 24mm socket depending on the arm and fastener style.
• Remove the inner pivot bolts and keep track of any cam washers or shims.
• Note the orientation of all washers before removal.

Step 6: Remove the control arm

• Work the arm out of the frame and knuckle area using a pry bar if needed.
• If the upper arm is tight against the spring, compress the coil spring with a spring compressor only enough to unload the arm.
• Remove the arm from the vehicle.

Step 7: Install the new control arm

• Position the new arm in the same orientation as the old one.
• Install the inner pivot bolts first by hand.
• Attach the ball joint to the knuckle and install the nut by hand.
• Tighten the ball joint nut to 75 Nm (55 ft-lbs), then continue only if a cotter pin hole lines up.

Step 8: Reconnect suspension components

• Reinstall the sway bar link if removed.
• Make sure all hardware is started before final tightening.
• Use a torque wrench for final fastener tightening.

Step 9: Torque the pivot bolts at ride height

• Lower the truck until the suspension is loaded at normal ride height, or use a jack under the control arm to simulate ride height.
• Tighten the inner control arm pivot bolts with a torque wrench.
• Torque to factory specification for your exact arm and fastener size; these bolts must be final-torqued at ride height.
• Final torque at ride height protects the bushings.

Step 10: Reinstall wheels and lower the truck

• Install the wheels and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the truck and torque the lug nuts with a torque wrench.
• Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Inspect all fasteners visually before driving.
• Test drive slowly and listen for clunks or pulling.
• Check for steering wheel off-center or vibration.
• Schedule a professional wheel alignment immediately.
• Recheck suspension fasteners after the first drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $700-$1,600 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$500 (parts only)

You Save: $520-$1,100 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 4-6 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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