Front lower control arm

[rabbit007jb]

The lower control arm is shot on the right side. Any one have a parts diagram?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Do you have a RWD or an E-4WD?

 

[rabbit007jb]

It is RWD. Thanks for the welcome.

 

[BrooklynBay]

This is from my Ford CD:

Coil Spring and Lower Control Arm.

Aerostar.

Removal:

1. Place the steering wheel and steering system in the "on-center" position.

NOTE:
Any time the steering linkage is disconnected from the spindle, the steering system must be placed in the "on-center" position.

2. Raise the vehicle on a hoist. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.

3. Disconnect the stabilizer bar link bolt from the lower arm.

4. Remove the two nuts attaching the shock absorber to the lower arm assembly.

5. Remove the upper nut and washer retaining the shock absorber. Remove the shock.

6. Support the vehicle with safety stands under the jacking pads, and lower the hoist, but maintain working room.

7. Using Spring Compressor Tool D78P-5310-A or equivalent install one plate with the pivot ball seat facing downward into the coils of the spring. Rotate the plate, so that it is flush with the upper surface of the lower arm.

8. Install the other plate with the pivot ball seat facing upward into the coils of the springs. Insert the upper ball nut through the coils of the spring so that the nut rests in the upper plate.

9. Insert the compression rod into the opening in the lower arm through the upper and lower plate and upper ball nut. Insert the securing pin through the upper ball nut and the compression rod.

NOTE:
This pin can only be inserted one way into the upper ball nut because of a stepped hole design.

10. With the upper ball nut secured, turn the upper plate so that it walks up the coil until it contacts the upper spring seat; then back off one-half turn.

11. Install the lower ball nut and thrust washer on the compression rod, and screw on the forcing nut.

12. Tighten the forcing nut until the spring is compressed enough so that it is free in its seat.

13. Loosen the two lower arm pivot bolts. Remove the cotter pin and loosen, but do not remove the nut attaching the lower ball joint to the spindle. Using Pitman Arm Puller T64P-3590-F or equivalent, loosen the lower ball joint. Remove the puller tool. Support the lower control arm with a jack and remove the ball joint nut. Lower the control arm and remove the spring.

14. If a new spring is to be installed, mark the position of the upper and lower plates on the spring with chalk and measure the compressed length of the old spring.

15. Loosen the forcing nut to relieve spring tension, and remove the tools from the spring.

16. Remove the bolts and nuts retaining the lower control arm to the No. 1 crossmember. Remove the lower control arm.

NOTE:
Prior to removing the lower control arm, the front post of the hoist should be rotated to support the vehicle under the No. 1 crossmember.

17. Replace the entire lower control arm assembly-to-service bushings.

Installation:

1. Position the lower control arm in the No. 1 crossmember. Install the bolts in the direction shown. Install the nuts and tighten until snug. DO NOT TIGHTEN TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE AT THIS TIME. Inspect lower ball joint boot seal for damage and replace if required.

2. Assemble the spring compressor, and locate in the same positions indicated in Removal, Step 14.

3. Before compressing the coil spring, be sure that the upper ball nut securing pin is inserted properly.

4. Compress coil spring until spring height reaches the dimension obtained in Removal, Step 14.

5. Position the coil spring assembly into the lower arm.

6. Raise the control arm back up into position, making sure the lower ball joint sits in its bore of the spindle properly.

7. Install the lower ball joint attaching nut and tighten to 108-163 N-m (80-120 ft-lb). Install a new cotter pin.

8. Remove the spring compression tool.

9. Lower the vehicle to the floor and with the vehicle resting in the normal ride height position, tighten the nuts and bolts retaining the lower control arm to the No. 1 crossmember to 136-190 N-m (100-140 ft-lb).

10. Raise the vehicle back up. Position the shock absorber and install the washer and upper nut. Tighten nut to 34-47 N-m (25-35 ft-lb).

11. Install the two nuts attaching the shock absorber to the lower control arm and tighten to 19-33 N-m (14-24 ft-lb).

12. Connect the stabilizer bar link bolt to the lower control arm and tighten to 12-16 N-m (9-12 ft-lb).

13. Lower the vehicle.

 

[rabbit007jb]

Thanks for the reply. What I am wondering about is the lower control arm. I have seen two different types, (1) lt is your standard control arm,(2) is one with two long studs going through the X-member.
I have only taken a quick look at it. So not sure of what I need.