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Upper Control Arm

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Fig. 1: Upper control arm removal and installation components — 2WD and 4WD Pick-ups and Monteros

Fig. 2: Use the special Mitsubishi tool to separate the upper control arm ball joint from the steering knuckle — all Pick-ups and Monteros

Fig. 3: When installing the upper control arm onto the frame, make sure that the bolts are installed in the correct direction

2-Wheel Drive Pick-up
  1. Raise the vehicle and support it safely on jackstands.
  2. Remove the wheel — refer to the previous procedures in this section.
  3. Remove the shock absorber — refer to the previous procedures in this section.
  4. Install Mitsubishi spring compressor tool MB 990792 or equivalent to the coil spring and compress the spring.
  5. Remove the cotter pin and upper ball joint nut.
  6. Suspend the rotor assembly with a wire so there is not excessive pull on the brake hose. A floor jack can be helpful as well.
  7. Release the upper ball joint taper using Mitsubishi tool MB990809–01 or the equivalent.
  8. Remove the tool and remove the ball stud from the knuckle.
  9. Loosen the pivot bar retaining nuts and bolts, identify and remove the alignment shims.
  10. Remove the nuts and bolts and remove the arm from the vehicle.
  11. Install the arm to the frame rail bracket, install the shims in their original locations and install the retaining nuts and bolts. Tighten the nuts initially to about 40 ft. lbs. (54 Nm).
  12. Install the ball joint to the knuckle and tighten the ball joint nut to 43–65 ft. lbs. (60–90 Nm). Install a new cotter pin through the castle nut. If the hole does not line up with the slots in the castle nut, tighten or loosen the nut until the hole lines up, but make sure that the nut is still within the torque range.
  13. Seat the spring correctly and slowly loosen the compressor. Make certain both ends of the spring are correctly placed in the spring indentations in the arm and frame. Remove the spring compressor.
  14. Install the shock absorber.
  15. Align the front end. When all settings are at specifications, tighten the pivot bar retaining bolts to 72–87 ft. lbs. (100–120 Nm).
Montero and 4-Wheel Drive Pick-up
  1. Elevate and safely support the vehicle on stands.
  2. Remove the wheel. Remove the under covers and skid plates.
  3. Remove the shock absorber — refer to the procedures described earlier in this section.
  4. Turn the torsion bar adjustment nut (anchor bolt nut, at the rear crossmember) counterclockwise to relieve all tension from the torsion bar.

    NOTE: When the anchor arm assembly installation nut is loosened, use a jack to support the lower arm to be loosened, thus making the work easier.

  5. Disconnect the brake hose from the brake line and remove the hose from the bracket on the upper arm. Plug or cap the hose and line immediately.
  6. Remove the rebound stopper bracket and brake hose support.
  7. Remove the cotter pin from the upper ball stud.
  8. Release the upper ball joint taper using Mitsubishi tool MB990809–01 or equivalent. Remove the tool.
  9. Remove the ball stud from the steering knuckle.
  10. Loosen the pivot bar retaining nuts and bolts, identify and remove the alignment shims, remove the nuts and bolts.
  11. Remove the arm from the vehicle.

    Fig. 4: Loosen the torsion bar adjusting nut to relieve the tension in the torsion bar — 4WD Pick-ups and Monteros

    To install:

  12. Position the arm at the frame rail bracket.
  13. Install the shims in their original locations and install the retaining nuts and bolts. Torque the nuts initially to about 40 ft. lbs. (54 Nm).
  14. Insert the upper ball stud in the steering knuckle and install the nut. Tighten the nut to 43–65 ft. lbs. (60–90 Nm) and install a new cotter pin. If the hole does not line up with the slots in the castle nut, tighten or loosen the nut until the hole lines up, but make sure that the nut is still within the torque range.
  15. Install the shock absorber — refer to the same shock absorber procedures that were referred to during disassembly.
  16. Install the rebound stopper bracket and brake hose support. Tighten the mounting bolts to 7–10 ft. lbs. (9–14 Nm).
  17. Remove the plugs and carefully attach the brake hose to the line. Don't crossthread the fitting. Make certain the retaining clip is seated.
  18. Bleed the brake system.
  19. Turn the torsion bar adjustment nut clockwise to its approximate previous position. This will apply a load on the bar.
  20. Install the wheel and lower the vehicle.
  21. Set the ride height. Refer to the torsion bar procedure described earlier in this section. Have the front end alignment checked.
  22. Apply final torque to the upper arm retaining bolts, setting them to 72–87 ft. lbs. (100–120 Nm).
  23. Reinstall the skid plates and under covers.

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