Removing
Warning. Details marked with * in Figure 14.32 must be pre-tightened, and the final tightening should be done after lowering the car in an unloaded state on the wheels.
Pic. 14.32. Lower arm front suspension: 1 - ball joint of the lower arm; 2 - self-locking nut; 3 - rubber bushings for mounting the anti-roll bar; 4 - anti-roll bar; 5 - sleeve; 6 - front bushing of the lower arm; 7 - support bracket; 8 - lower arm assembly
- Loosen the nut, remove the bolt and lower arm ball joint pin from the steering knuckle (pic. 14.32).
- Loosen the self-locking nut and remove the rubber grommets and the anti-roll bar mounting sleeve from the front lower control arm.
- Turn away a nut and take a bolt of fastening of the forward plug of the lower lever.
- Turn out 2 bolts and remove a basic bracket of fastening of the back plug of the lower lever.
- Remove the lower arm assembly.
Examination
- Check rubber bushings for wear or damage.
- Check the lower arm for bending or cracks.
- Check the support bracket for wear or damage.
- Check the ball joint boot for cracks.
- Check all bolts for bending and damage.
Checking the Initial Torque Required to Rotate the Lower Arm Ball Joint Pin
- Rock the ball joint pin of the lower arm several times from side to side.
- Install the special tool on the ball joint pin and use a torque wrench to measure the initial torque required to rotate the lower arm ball joint pin (pic. 14.33).
Pic. 14.33. Measuring the Initial Torque Required to Rotate the Lower Arm Ball Joint Pin
Initial torque: 1.0-6.4 Nm
Torque: 1.0-2.5 Nm
- If the torque exceeds the allowable values, replace the ball joint.
- If the torque is well below the allowable value, the ball joint can be reused as long as it does not jam or have excessive play.
Checking the dust boot on the lower arm ball joint
- Squeeze the dust cover with your fingers and check for cracks or damage.
- If the dust boot is cracked or damaged, replace the lower arm ball joint.
Note. If the dust cover is cracked or damaged, the ball joint may also be damaged.
Lower arm rear bushing replacement
- Moisten the joint between the lower arm shaft and the old bushing with soapy water and remove the bushing with a screwdriver as a lever.
- Lubricate the hole in the new bushing with soapy water and install the new bushing in the position shown in Figure 14.34.
Pic. 14.34. Installation position of the rear bushing of the lower arm of the front suspension
- Using a hammer through a wooden block, press the bushing onto the lower arm shaft.
Lower Arm Ball Joint Dust Boot Replacement
- Only if the dust cover is damaged by accident while servicing the vehicle, replace it as follows.
- Use a screwdriver blade to remove the circlip and dust cover from the lower arm ball joint (pic. 14.35).
Pic. 14.35. Using a screwdriver to remove the snap ring securing the ball joint boot
- Apply multipurpose grease to the inside surfaces of the new dust cover.
- Wrap the ball joint pin with plastic tape and put a dust cover on the joint.
- Stop the spring ring securing the dust cover.
- Squeeze the dust cover with your fingers and check for cracks or damage.
Installation
- Installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal, taking into account the following.
- Install the anti-roll bar and tighten the self-locking nut so that the stabilizer mounting bolt protrudes above the nut as shown in Figure 14.36.
Pic. 14.36. Distance (A) protrusion of the stabilizer mounting bolt: A = 22 mm
- Squeeze the dust cover with your fingers and check for cracks or damage.
- Adjust the angles of the front wheels.