🔧 Kicks - Front Lower Control Arm Replacement

This repair replaces the front lower control arms on your Kicks. The control arm holds the front wheel in position and contains bushings and a ball joint that can wear, clunk, loosen steering feel, or cause uneven tire wear.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2.5-4 hours for both sides

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support your Kicks with jack stands before working underneath. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ The front suspension carries vehicle weight. Keep hands clear when lowering or raising the control arm area.
• ⚠️ Replace control arms in pairs if one side is worn. This keeps steering and braking even.
• ⚠️ Do not loosen or tighten suspension pivot bolts with the suspension hanging unless instructed. Final tightening must be done at normal ride height to avoid twisting the rubber bushings.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.
• ⚠️ A wheel alignment is required after replacing control arms.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm lug nut socket
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet 3/8-inch drive
• Socket set 10mm-22mm
• Wrench set 14mm-22mm
• 18mm socket
• 18mm wrench
• 19mm socket
• 19mm wrench
• 21mm socket
• 22mm socket
• Ball joint separator (specialty)
• Pry bar 18-inch
• Rubber mallet
• Needle-nose pliers
• Paint marker
• Penetrating oil
• Wire brush
• 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
• Front lower control arm assembly - Right: 1
• Control arm mounting bolts and nuts - Qty: 1 kit if available
• Ball joint castle nut or lock nut - Qty: 2 if not included
• Cotter pins - Qty: 2 if equipped

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Kicks on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Spray the control arm bolts and ball joint nut with penetrating oil and let it soak for 10-15 minutes.
• Use a paint marker to mark the position of the old control arm bolts before removal. This helps keep alignment close enough to drive to the alignment shop.
• A ball joint separator is a tool that safely pops the tapered ball joint stud loose from the steering knuckle.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Front Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen the front lug nuts about 1 turn while the tires are still on the ground.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loose first, lift second.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Front of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack to lift the front of your Kicks at the front center jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the front side pinch welds or approved support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Give the vehicle a small shake by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels and place them flat away from your work area.

Step 4: Inspect the Control Arm Layout

• Use a flashlight if available and locate the front lower control arm.
• The control arm connects the subframe to the steering knuckle at the ball joint.
• The bushing is the rubber-filled mounting point where the arm bolts to the body/subframe.
• Use a wire brush to clean dirt and rust from the visible bolt threads.

Step 5: Remove Any Lower Splash Shield Fasteners Blocking Access

• If the lower splash shield blocks access to the control arm bolts, use a 10mm socket and ratchet 3/8-inch drive to remove the fasteners.
• Set the fasteners aside in order so they go back into the same locations.

Step 6: Remove the Ball Joint Nut

• Use needle-nose pliers to remove the cotter pin if your ball joint uses one.
• Use the correct-size socket from the 10mm-22mm socket set and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to remove the ball joint nut from the bottom of the steering knuckle.
• If the nut spins the ball joint stud, use a matching wrench from the 14mm-22mm wrench set to steady the stud if the stud has flats.
• Do not hit the threaded ball joint stud with a steel hammer.

Step 7: Separate the Ball Joint from the Steering Knuckle

• Install the ball joint separator (specialty) between the lower control arm ball joint and steering knuckle.
• Tighten the separator slowly with the correct-size socket from the 10mm-22mm socket set until the taper releases.
• A loud pop is normal when the taper breaks free.
• Use a pry bar 18-inch only if needed to gently guide the arm downward.
• Keep fingers away from pinch points.

Step 8: Remove the Rear Control Arm Bushing Bolt

• Use a paint marker to mark the bolt and bracket position before removal.
• Use the correct-size socket from the 10mm-22mm socket set, ratchet 1/2-inch drive, and matching wrench from the 14mm-22mm wrench set to remove the rear bushing bolt and nut.
• If the bolt is tight, use the breaker bar 1/2-inch drive.

Step 9: Remove the Front Control Arm Bushing Bolt

• Use the correct-size socket from the 10mm-22mm socket set and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to remove the front bushing bolt.
• Support the control arm with one hand while removing the final bolt.
• Remove the old control arm from the vehicle.

Step 10: Compare Old and New Control Arms

• Place the old and new arms side by side on the ground.
• Confirm the ball joint, bushing positions, and mounting holes match.
• Make sure the left and right arms are not swapped.

Step 11: Install the New Control Arm Into the Subframe

• Slide the new control arm into the mounting brackets by hand.
• Install the front and rear bushing bolts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a rubber mallet only for gentle alignment if needed.
• Leave the bushing bolts loose for now. Do not final-tighten yet.

Step 12: Connect the Ball Joint to the Steering Knuckle

• Use a pry bar 18-inch carefully to guide the new ball joint stud into the steering knuckle.
• Install the new ball joint nut by hand.
• Use the correct-size socket from the 10mm-22mm socket set and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the ball joint nut.
• Torque to manufacturer specification for your Kicks lower ball joint nut.
• If equipped with a castle nut, use needle-nose pliers to install a new cotter pin after torqueing.

Step 13: Preload the Suspension Before Final Tightening

• Place the floor jack under the outer end of the lower control arm near the ball joint.
• Raise the arm slowly until the suspension is near normal ride height.
• This prevents the rubber bushings from being twisted when the car is back on the ground.
• Final-tighten at ride height.

Step 14: Final-Tighten the Control Arm Bushing Bolts

• Use the correct-size socket from the 10mm-22mm socket set, matching wrench from the 14mm-22mm wrench set, and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the front control arm bushing bolt.
• Torque to manufacturer specification for your Kicks front lower control arm front mounting bolt.
• Use the correct-size socket from the 10mm-22mm socket set, matching wrench from the 14mm-22mm wrench set, and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the rear control arm bushing bolt.
• Torque to manufacturer specification for your Kicks front lower control arm rear mounting bolt.

Step 15: Repeat on the Other Side

• Use the same tools and steps to replace the opposite front lower control arm.
• Replace both sides before alignment if both arms are being changed.

Step 16: Reinstall Splash Shield Fasteners

• If removed, reinstall the lower splash shield using a 10mm socket and ratchet 3/8-inch drive.
• Snug the fasteners by hand. Do not overtighten plastic clips or small screws.

Step 17: Reinstall the Front Wheels

• Install each wheel onto the hub by hand.
• Thread all lug nuts by hand first.
• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 18: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to lift slightly, remove the jack stands, and lower your Kicks to the ground.
• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs)

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce the front of your Kicks gently by hand and listen for clunks.
• ✅ Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock while parked and listen for binding or popping.
• ✅ Take a slow test drive around the block. Start under 25 mph and check for pulling, clunks, or steering wheel off-center.
• ✅ Schedule a four-wheel alignment immediately. Control arm replacement changes front suspension geometry.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using a 21mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $550-$950 (parts + labor, typical U.S. pricing)

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

You Save: $370-$530 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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