Upper Control Arm: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Dodge Stratus and 2005 Chrysler Sebring. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: The rear control arm, control arm bushings, and pivot bar are serviced as a complete assembly on this vehicle. Do not attempt to disassemble the control arm from the pivot bar to service the rear control arm bushings.

Raise vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCEDURE) .
Remove both rear wheel and tire assemblies from the vehicle.

Remove the shock absorber clevis bracket to rear knuckle attaching bolt and nut on both sides of the vehicle. See Fig 1.

Fig 1: Shock Absorber To Knuckle Attaching

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - ATTACHING BOLT

2 - REAR KNUCKLE

3 - SHOCK ABSORBER CLEVIS BRACKET

4 - LATERAL LINK

Remove muffler support bracket from rear frame rail. See Fig 2.

Fig 2: Muffler Support Bracket

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - REAR FASCIA

2 - MUFFLER SUPPORT BRACKET

3 - ATTACHING BOLTS

4 - MUFFLER

Remove the rear exhaust pipe hanger bracket from the rear suspension crossmember. See Fig 3. Let exhaust system drop down as far as possible.

Fig 3: Exhaust Pipe Hanger At Rear Suspension Crossmember

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - BOLT

2 - REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER

3 - HANGER BRACKET

4 - EXHAUST PIPE

If vehicle is equipped with antilock brakes, remove routing clips for wheel speed sensor cable from brackets on both upper control arms. See Fig 4.

Fig 4: Speed Sensor Cable Attachment To Control Arm

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - UPPER CONTROL ARM

2 - SHOCK ABSORBER

3 - SPEED SENSOR CABLE ROUTING CLIPS

4 - BOLT

5 - SPEED SENSOR CABLE

6 - BRAKE FLEX HOSE BRACKET

7 - BOLT

8 - BRAKES

If vehicle is equipped with antilock brakes, remove bolts and wheel speed sensor heads from both rear knuckles.
Remove both rear disc brake calipers from knuckles and hang out of way using wire or cord. (Refer to BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/BRAKE PADS/SHOES - REMOVAL) . Do not allow calipers to hang by brake hoses.
Release brake tubing from clips on top of crossmember.

On the side of the vehicle requiring control arm removal, separate the control arm ball joint from the rear knuckle using following procedure:

Back off nut retaining upper control arm ball joint to knuckle until nut is even with end of stud. This action will help avoid damaging the stud threads when the stud is released from the knuckle in the following step.
Remove ball joint stud from knuckle using Puller, Special Tool, CT- 1106. See Fig 5.
Remove nut retaining upper control arm ball joint to knuckle.

Fig 5: Ball Joint Stud Removal From Knuckle

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - BALL JOINT

2 - SPECIAL TOOL CT1106

3 - BALL JOINT STUD

4 - KNUCKLE

Position a transmission jack and wooden block under the center of the rear suspension crossmember to support and lower crossmember during removal. See Fig 6.

Fig 6: Lowering And Supporting Rear Suspension Crossmember

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - WOODEN BLOCK

2 - TRANSMISSION JACK

3 - REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER

Remove the 4 bolts attaching rear suspension crossmember to rear frame rails. See Fig 7.

Fig 7: Crossmember Attachment To Frame Rails

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - ATTACHING BOLTS

2 - ATTACHING BOLTS

3 - REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER

CAUTION: When lowering rear suspension crossmember do not put a strain on the rear brake flex hoses.

Lower the rear suspension crossmember far enough to access the upper control arm pivot bar to crossmember attaching bolts.

Remove the 2 bolts attaching the upper control arm to the rear suspension crossmember. See Fig 8.

Fig 8: Upper Control Arm Attachment To Crossmember

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - SHOCK ABSORBER

2 - ATTACHING BOLTS

3 - UPPER CONTROL ARM PIVOT BAR

4 - REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER

5 - UPPER CONTROL ARM

Remove the upper control arm from the rear suspension crossmember.
Transfer any required components to the replacement control arm.