Lower Control Arm

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Diamante, 1990–93 Galant, and 1999–00 Galant

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise the vehicle and support safely, allowing wheels and suspension to hang freely.
3. Remove the sway bar links from the lower control arm.
4. Disconnect the ball joint stud from the steering knuckle.
5. Remove the inner mounting frame through-bolt and nut.
6. Remove the rear mount bolts. Remove the clamp, if equipped.
7. Remove the rear rod bushing, if servicing.

   To install:

8. Assemble the control arm and bushing.
9. Install the control arm to the vehicle and install the through-bolt. Replace the nut and snug temporarily.
10. Install the rear mount clamp, bolts and replacement nuts. Tighten the bolts to 72–87 ft. lbs. (100–120 Nm). Tighten the nuts to 29 ft. lbs. (40 Nm).
11. Connect the ball joint stud to the knuckle. Install a new nut and tighten to 43–52 ft. lbs. (60–72 Nm).
12. Install the sway bar and links.
13. Lower the vehicle to the floor for the final tightening of the frame mount through-bolt.
14. Once the full weight of the vehicle is on the floor, tighten the frame mount through-bolt nuts to 75–90 ft. lbs. (102–122 Nm).
15. Connect the negative battery cable.
16. Check the wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.

1994–98 Galant

The lower lateral arm ball joint and the compression arm ball joint are integral components of the lateral arm and the compression arm respectively. If the ball joints are to be serviced, the arms must be replaced.

1. Raise and support the vehicle safely.
2. Disconnect both ball joint studs from the steering knuckle.
3. To remove the lower lateral arm, remove the crossmember brackets.
4. Remove the inner lateral arm mounting bolts and nut.
5. Remove the arm from the vehicle.
6. Remove the two bolts holding the compression arm.
7. Remove the compression arm.

   To install:

8. Assemble the control arms and bushings.
9. Install the lateral control arm to the vehicle and install the inner mounting bolts. Install a new nut and snug temporarily.
10. Install the compression arm to the vehicle.
11. Connect the ball joint studs to the knuckle. Install new nuts and tighten to 43–51 ft. lbs. (59–71 Nm).
12. Lower the vehicle to the floor for the final tightening.
13. Once the full weight of the vehicle is on the suspension, tighten the lateral arm rear bolt to 71–85 ft. lbs. (98–118 Nm) and the front bolt to the damper fork to 64 ft. lbs. (88 Nm).
14. Tighten the bolts for the compression arm to 60 ft. lbs. (83 Nm).
15. Reinstall the crossmember brackets with their mounting bolts. Tighten the mounting bolts to 51–58 ft. lbs. (69–78 Nm).
16. Have a front end alignment performed.

    Fig. 2: Exploded view of the lower control arms — Galant

Mirage

NOTE: The suspension components should not be tightened until the vehicle's weight is resting on its wheels.

1. Raise the vehicle and support safely.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove sway bar links or mounting nuts and bolts from lower control arm. Remove the joint cups and bushings.
4. Disconnect the ball joint stud from the steering knuckle.
5. Remove the inner lower arm mounting bolt and nut.
6. Remove the rear mount bolts from the retaining clamp. Remove the rear retainer clamp if equipped.
7. Remove the arm from the vehicle.

   Fig. 3: Lower control arm assembly and related components — Mirage

   To install:

8. Install the control arm to the vehicle and install the inner mounting bolt. Install new nut and tighten to 78 ft. lbs. (108 Nm).
9. Install the rear mount clamp and bolts. Tighten the clamp mounting bolts to 65 ft. lbs. (90 Nm).
10. Connect the ball joint stud to the knuckle. Install a new nut and tighten to 43–52 ft. lbs. (60–72 Nm).
11. Install the sway bar and links.
12. Lower the vehicle to the floor for the final tightening of the inner frame mount bolt.
13. Install the wheel and tire assembly.