🔧 Control Arms - Front Lower Control Arm Replacement

Assumption: This covers the front lower control arms, replaced in pairs.

The front lower control arms locate the front wheels and support the suspension bushings and ball joints. If they are worn, you may get clunks, wandering, uneven tire wear, or steering pull. Replacing them restores suspension tightness and helps keep alignment correct.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on level ground and support the car securely on jack stands before removing any suspension parts.
• Hybrid system: the car can stay OFF for this repair, but keep the key away from the vehicle so it cannot power up unexpectedly.
• Use caution around the axle, brake hose, and ABS wire when moving the knuckle.
• Do not fully tighten the control arm bolts with the suspension hanging. Final torque must be applied at normal ride height.
• If the lower ball joint is separated from the steering knuckle, support the knuckle so it does not strain the axle or brake hose.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• Metric socket set
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 21mm socket
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Ratchet
• Metric wrench set
• Ball joint separator (specialty)
• 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, left - Qty: 1
• Front lower control arm, right - Qty: 1
• Front lower control arm bolt hardware - Qty: 2 sets
• Front lower control arm nut hardware - Qty: 2 sets

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting the car.
• Raise the front and support it securely on jack stands.
• If the old bolts are rusty, spray the control arm fasteners with penetrating oil and let it soak.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the front wheels

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to remove the front lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels and set them aside.

Step 2: Disconnect the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle

• Use a 19mm socket and wrench to remove the lower ball joint fastener at the knuckle.
• Use a ball joint separator (specialty) to carefully separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle.
• Support the knuckle by hand so the brake hose and ABS wire are not stretched.

Step 3: Remove the rear control arm bolt

• Use a 17mm socket and wrench to remove the rear control arm mounting bolt.
• Remove the nut and slide the bolt out.

Step 4: Remove the front control arm bolt

• Use a 17mm socket to remove the front control arm mounting bolt.
• Take the control arm out of the subframe.
• Mark bolt positions before removal.

Step 5: Install the new control arm

• Place the new control arm into position in the subframe.
• Install the front and rear mounting bolts by hand first.
• Connect the ball joint into the steering knuckle.
• Install the lower ball joint fastener and snug it with a 19mm socket.

Step 6: Snug the mounting hardware

• Use a 17mm socket to snug the front and rear control arm bolts.
• Do not final torque these bolts yet.

Step 7: Reinstall the wheel and lower the car to ride height

• Install the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts with a 21mm socket.
• Lower the vehicle so the suspension is at normal ride height.

Step 8: Final torque the control arm hardware

• Use a torque wrench and 17mm socket to torque the control arm mounting bolts at ride height.
• Torque to 137 Nm (101 ft-lbs) for the control arm mounting bolts.
• Use a torque wrench and 19mm socket to torque the lower ball joint fastener.
• Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs) for the lower ball joint fastener.
• Torque the wheel lug nuts with a torque wrench and 21mm socket.
• Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs) for the lug nuts.

Step 9: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the opposite side control arm using the same steps.
• Replace in pairs for even handling and wear.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the car and listen for clunks or pops during turning.
• Check that all fasteners are torqued and the wheels are secure.
• Get a professional wheel alignment after this repair.
• Test drive slowly at first and recheck for unusual noises.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $500-$900 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$360 (parts only)

You Save: $320-$540 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.