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Home >> Chrysler >> 2009 >> PT Cruiser Base, Automatic >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Suspension >> Wheel Alignment >> Front Suspension >> Front >> Arm, Lower Control >> Removal >> Removal
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Arm, Lower Control: Removal: Removal

NOTE: Before proceeding. See Front Suspension/Front - Warning .
  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Quick Reference/Hoisting - Standard Procedure .
    Fig 1: Tire And Wheel Mounting
    GC0083116Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC
  2. Remove the wheel mounting nuts (3), then the tire and wheel assembly (1).
    Fig 2: Stabilizer Bar & Link
    GC0113963Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC
  3. On each side of the vehicle, remove both stabilizer bar link assemblies (3, 4, 6, 7). Remove each link by holding the upper retainer/nut (3) with a wrench and turning the link bolt (7).
  4. Rotate the forward ends of the stabilizer bar (5) downward. It may be necessary to loosen the stabilizer bar cushion retainer bolts (8) a little to ease any turning resistance.
    Fig 3: Ball Joint Pinch Bolt
    GC0113964Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC
  5. Remove the nut (2) and pinch bolt (4) clamping the ball joint stud (3) to the knuckle (1).
    Fig 4: Separate Ball Joint From Knuckle
    GC0098354Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC
    CAUTION: Upon removing the knuckle from the ball joint stud, do not pull outward on the knuckle. Pulling the knuckle outward at this point can separate the inner C/V joint on the halfshaft thus damaging it.
    CAUTION: Use care when separating the ball joint stud (4) from the knuckle (1), so the ball joint seal does not get cut.
  6. Using an appropriate prying tool (2), separate the ball joint stud (4) from the knuckle (1) by prying down on lower control arm (3) and up against the ball joint boss on the knuckle.
    Fig 5: Wheel House Splash Shield & Drive Belt Splash Shield
    GC0113965Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC
  7. If the right lower control arm is being serviced, remove the one fastener (2) securing the wheel house splash shield (1) to the drive belt splash shield (3).
    Fig 6: DRIVE BELT SPLASH SHIELD
    GC0113966Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC
    NOTE: Depending on application, it may be necessary to remove some fasteners securing the front fascia (1) to the body lower reinforcement in order to access drive belt splash shield forward fastener.
  8. If the right lower control arm is being serviced:
    1. Remove the fastener (5) securing the drive belt splash shield (3) to the front suspension crossmember (6).
    2. Remove the fasteners (4) securing the splash shield (3) to the body (2).
    3. Remove the drive belt splash shield (3).
    Fig 7: Strut Mounting
    GC0113967Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC
    1 - NUT
    2 - PENCIL STRUT
    3 - NUT
    4 - FLAT WASHER
    5 - LOWER TORQUE STRUT
  9. If the right lower control arm is being serviced, remove the mounting nuts (1, 3), then the pencil strut (2) from the right front corner of the crossmember and body of the vehicle. Remove the washer (4) behind the strut from the torque strut (5) bolt.
    Fig 8: LOWER TORQUE STRUT MOUNTING
    GC0113968Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC
  10. If the right lower control arm is being serviced:
    1. Remove the bolt (4) mounting the engine torque strut (2) to the engine (3).
    2. Remove the bolt (5) mounting the engine torque strut (2) to the crossmember (1).
    3. Remove the engine torque strut (2).
    Fig 9: Lower Control Arm Attaching Bolts
    GC0113969Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC
    1 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
    2 - FRONT BOLT
    3 - CROSSMEMBER
    4 - REAR BOLT
  11. Remove the front bolt (2) attaching the lower control arm (1) to the front suspension crossmember (3).
  12. Remove the rear bolt (4) attaching the lower control arm (1) to the front suspension crossmember (3) and frame rail.
  13. Remove the lower control arm from the crossmember.