🔧 Suspension Bushings - Front Lower Control Arm Replacement

Assumption: On your Camry, the most common “suspension bushing” repair is the front lower control arm bushings, which are typically serviced by replacing the complete control arm assembly.

This job restores steering feel, reduces clunks, and helps prevent uneven tire wear. On this hybrid, the safest and most reliable fix is usually to replace the arm assembly instead of pressing bushings out on the car.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on level ground and support the car with jack stands rated for the vehicle weight.
• Do not rely on a floor jack alone.
• Keep hands clear of the spring and suspension pinch points.
• If you disconnect any hybrid-related electrical connectors near the front subframe, keep the vehicle fully powered down.
• Use a torque wrench for all suspension fasteners.
• After installation, a wheel alignment is required.

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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
• 21mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 14mm socket
• Torque wrench
• Breaker bar
• Ratchet
• Long extension
• Ball joint separator (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Hammer
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front lower control arm assembly - Left: 1, Right: 1
• Front lower control arm bolts and nuts - Qty: 1 set
• Sway bar link nut hardware - Qty: 1 set
• Alignment service - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a flat surface.
• Set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts before lifting the car.
• Spray all fasteners with penetrating oil and let it soak.
• Mark bolt positions first.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the front of the vehicle

• Use a floor jack to lift the front of the Camry at the proper lift point.
• Place jack stands under the front support points and lower the car onto them.
• Remove the front wheels with a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Remove the lower fasteners

• Use a 17mm socket and breaker bar to remove the front lower control arm rear bolt.
• Use a 19mm socket to remove the front lower control arm front bolt.
• If equipped with a sway bar link attached nearby, use a 17mm socket to disconnect it for access.

Step 3: Separate the ball joint from the knuckle

• Use a 17mm socket to remove the ball joint nut.
• Use a ball joint separator to separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle.
• Do not strike the threads directly.

Step 4: Remove the control arm

• Support the arm with one hand and remove the last fastener with a ratchet and long extension.
• Lower the arm out of the subframe carefully.
• Compare the old arm to the new one before installation.

Step 5: Install the new control arm

• Position the new control arm into the subframe by hand.
• Install the rear and front bolts finger-tight first.
• Reconnect the ball joint to the knuckle using a 17mm socket.
• Torque the ball joint nut to 59 Nm (44 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Final-tighten the suspension bolts at ride height

• Raise the suspension arm slightly with the floor jack until it sits at normal ride height.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the control arm bolts at ride height.
• Torque the front control arm bolts to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).
• Torque any sway bar link hardware to 74 Nm (55 ft-lbs), if removed.

Step 7: Reinstall wheels and lower the car

• Reinstall the wheels using a 21mm socket.
• Lower the vehicle carefully with the floor jack.
• Torque the lug nuts to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Start the car and test for abnormal clunks or pulling.
• Drive slowly at first and listen over bumps.
• Have a professional wheel alignment performed as soon as possible.
• Recheck all fasteners after the first test drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$900 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$420 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$480 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.