Upper Control Arms

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

1990–93 Galant

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and safely support vehicle.
3. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
4. Support the rear lower control arm.
5. Remove the brake line clamp bolt.
6. Remove the nut and separate the upper ball joint, using tool MB990635 or equivalent, from the rear trailing arm/steering knuckle.

   NOTE: It is important to use proper method of joint separation when reusing joint. Damage can result from unapproved methods, resulting in possible joint failure.

7. Matchmark the eccentric on the upper installation bolt and remove from the control arm.
8. Remove the upper arm from the vehicle.

   To install:

9. Install the arm to the vehicle and install the upper arm installation bolt. Align the matchmarks and tighten the nut snugly only.
10. Install the upper arm ball joint to the rear spindle assembly and install new nut. Tighten to 52 ft. lbs. (72 Nm).
11. Install the tire and wheel assembly.
12. Lower the vehicle until the suspension supports its weight.
13. Tighten the upper arm installation bolt to 116 ft. lbs. (160 Nm).
14. Check the rear wheel alignment.

1994–98 Galant

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove the through-bolt securing the upper arm to the knuckle.
4. Remove the four bolts securing the upper arm to the body.
5. Remove the upper arm assembly.
6. Remove the through-bolts and nuts and remove the upper arm to body brackets.

   To install:

7. Install the upper arm to body brackets to the upper arm. Tighten the bolts and nuts to 41 ft. lbs. (57 Nm).
8. Install the upper arm to the vehicle and tighten the four bolts to 28 ft. lbs. (39 Nm).
9. Install the through-bolt securing the upper arm to the knuckle. Do not tighten the nut until the vehicle is on the floor at normal riding height.
10. Install the wheel and tire assembly.
11. Safely lower the vehicle to the floor and tighten the nut for the through-bolt to 71 ft. lbs. (98 Nm).
12. Check and adjust wheel alignment if necessary.

Diamante

1. Raise and properly support vehicle.
2. Remove appropriate wheel assembly.
3. Disconnect the sway bar and remove the strut assembly.
4. Support the trailing arm assembly and remove the self-locking nut connecting the control arm to the trailing arm.
5. Using a joint separation tool, disconnect the upper ball joint from the trailing arm.
6. Disconnect the control arm from the subframe and remove the assembly.

   To install

7. Install the control arm to the subframe and lightly tighten the mounting bolt.
8. Connect the control arm to the trailing arm and tighten the self-locking nut to 54–61 ft. lbs. (75–89 Nm).
9. Install the strut assembly and connect the sway bar.
10. Install wheel and lower vehicle.
11. With full weight of vehicle on the ground, tighten the control arm to subframe bolt to 54–61 ft. lbs. (75–89 Nm).
12. Check rear wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.