Upper control arm installation

Good morning.

Procedure below for you to view. an alignment is required after replacement.

Roy

REMOVAL
1. Raise and support vehicle.
2. Remove wheel and tire assembly
3. Remove the nut from upper ball joint.


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4. Separate upper ball joint (1) from the steering knuckle (3) with puller 8677 (2).

CAUTION: When installing puller 8677 (2) to separate the ball joint, be careful not to damage the ball joint seal.


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5. Remove the wheel speed sensor wire (5) from the retaining brackets (3) to the upper control arm (4).
6. Remove the control arm pivot bolts (1) and nuts (2) and remove control arm (4).

INSTALLATION

NOTE: All suspension components should be tighten with the weight of the vehicle on them (curb height).


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1. Position the control arm (4) into the frame brackets. Install bolts (1) and nuts (2). Tighten to 176 Nm (130 ft. lbs.).
2. Reposition the wheel speed wire (5) into the retaining brackets (3).
3. Insert ball joint (6) in steering knuckle (7) and tighten ball joint nut to 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.).
4. Install the wheel and tire assembly,.
5. Remove the support and lower vehicle.
6. Perform a wheel alignment.

Why is a alignment needed not even messing with tie rod ends or rack pinion. What size tools are needed do I have to have ball joint seperater?

It is 2006 Dakota SLT 3.7.

Since you are replacing the arm, the caster or camber may have changed from the new component being replaced. The tie rods only do toe in not caster camber.

It does not list sizes of wrenches for the job.

As I remember, 15/16 is one for the attaching bolts to the frame and 3/4 or 7/8 for the ball joint nut.

Roy

Is there a certain way to put the control arm on and or a way to get it close so the alignment is not off too bad until I can have one done? So there is no special tool for the job none required just wrenches and sockets so forth?

No special tools required.

The arm only goes on one way only.

The best you can do is eye it up. Otherwise you need gauges to check the camber.

Roy

What exactly do you mean by eye it up and check camber? What is camber and what kind of gauges?

Camber is how the tire contacts the ground. The tire should sit flat on the ground and not tilt in or out.

Gauges are part of alignment equipment.

Roy

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/upper-control-arm-replacement

Alright, sorry asked so many questions. This is the first time I will be doing a control arm. Thanks for your information.

No problem. Glad to help.

Feel free to ask any follow-up questions.

Roy