First, loosen the wheel lug nuts on all wheels; pick up your car with jackstands, then set it under the subframe rails to hold it firmly. Remove the wheel. Just remove the nuts between the balljoint and lower control arm, and you can then take off the balljoint as three bolts come out. To separate the control arm and subframe, you first remove two bolts: the pivot bolt nut and the rear bushing bracket bolts. Then you disconnect the balljoint from the control arm assembly. Pop the front pivot bolt nut from the lower arm and take off the rear bushing bracket bolts to disconnect the control arm from the frame. You need to take off the drive axle before you can get to the balljoint when you're replacing the one between the
Steering Knuckle and the 4WD model. Check the bushings for any signs of dryness, torn surfaces, or breaking. The forward control arm bushing needs special tools to remove and replace, while mechanics can replace the worn or damaged bushing when they take the control arm to their shop. The rear bushing can move off its position on the control arm by simply slipping it away from the pin. Installation is the reverse of removal. Change the nut and bracket bolts one step at a time, but wait until you lower and raise the vehicle at a normal ride height before tightening them to the right torques. When finished, make sure you tighten all wheel lug nuts according to the specified force value.