Lower Control Arm; Removal; Removal - 4X4 (Ld); Removal - 4X2 - Dodge dakota 2002 Service Manual

2 - 20 FRONT - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION

LOWER CONTROL ARM

REMOVAL

REMOVAL - 4X4 (LD)

(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
(3) Remove the upper ball joint nut. Separate ball
joint from the steering knuckle with Remover 8677.
(4) Remove the front halfshaft, (Refer to 3 - DIF-
FERENTIAL & DRIVELINE/HALF
REMOVAL).
(5) Remove the torsion bar, (Refer to 2 - SUSPEN-
SION/FRONT/TRACK BAR - REMOVAL).
(6) Remove the shock absorber lower bolt.
(7) Remove the stabilizer bar link (Refer to 2 -
SUSPENSION/FRONT/STABILIZER
REMOVAL).
(8) Remove the lower ball joint nut. Separate ball
joint from the steering knuckle with Remover 8677.
(9) Remove the control arm pivot bolts and suspen-
sion arm from frame rail brackets (Fig. 23).
Fig. 23 LOWER CONTROL ARM
1 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
2 - UPPER CONTROL ARM
3 - FRONT BOLT
4 - NUTS
5 - REAR BOLT

REMOVAL - 4X2

(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
(3) Support the lower control arm at the outboard
side of the lower control arm to support vehicle
weight.
(4) Remove the shock (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/
FRONT/SHOCK - REMOVAL).
(5) Install Spring Compressor DD-1278 up through
the lower suspension arm, coil spring and shock hole
in the frame. The bell-shaped adapter goes against
the lower suspension arm. Install the nut on top of
the tool at the shock hole.
(6) Tighten the spring compressor nut against bell-
shaped adapter finger tight then loosen 1/2 turn.
NOTE: This will hold the spring in place until the
lower suspension arm is separated from the steer-
ing knuckle.
(7) Remove the stabilizer link (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/FRONT/STABILIZER LINK - REMOVAL).
SHAFT -
(8) Remove the lower ball joint nut at the steering
knuckle.
(9) Install Ball Joint Remover tool 8677 on the
lower ball joint and separate the ball joint from the
knuckle.
LINK -
NOTE: Do not allow the upper control arm and
steering knuckle to rebound downwards they must
be supported.
(10) Support the upper control arm and steering
knuckle out of the way.
(11) Remove the lower control arm support.
(12) Tighten the spring compressor tool to allow
clearance for the lower ball joint to be removed out of
the knuckle.
(13) Loosen the tension on the spring compressor
tool slowly allowing the lower suspension arm to
pivot downward.
(14) Remove the spring compressor tool.
(15) Remove coil spring and isolator pad from the
vehicle (Fig. 26).
(16) Remove the front and rear pivot bolts (Fig.
24).
(17) Remove the lower control arm.
1 - FRONT PIVOT BOLT
2 - REAR PIVOT BOLT
3 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
Fig. 24 LOWER CONTROL ARM - 4X2
DR