How to Replace a Control Arm on a 1998 Cavalier

The 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier base model is powered by a 2.2-liter, four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. The Cavalier was designed as an economy priced vehicle that was good for basic transportation needs and a great first car for young drivers. Even as an economy vehicle, all models had traction control, daytime running lights and four-wheel antilock brakes. The interior is quite roomy; however, it was cheaply built and can break easily. Replacing the control arm requires separating the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle, but a new ball joint comes pre-installed in the new control arm assembly.

Instructions

Removal

1

Park the vehicle on a smooth level surface and set the parking brake. Break loose the lug nuts on the side of the vehicle to be serviced with the lug wrench.

2

Lift the front of the vehicle into the air with the floor jack. Place the jack stands under the front frame rails or cross member of the vehicle. Do not place the jack stands under the control arms. Lower the floor jack until the vehicle securely rests on the jack stands. Remove the floor jacks

3

Remove the lug nuts from the wheel and tire. Remove the wheel and tire from the vehicle and set it aside.

4

Remove the nut securing the front sway bar link to the control arm. Remove the sway bar link bolt from the bottom of the control arm along with the washer and rubber bushing. Remove the rest of the sway bar link assembly from above the control arm and set it aside.

5

Remove the cotter pin that goes through the castle nut and lower ball joint stud with a pair of pliers. Remove the castle nut with the socket and ratchet. Attach the ball joint separator to the control arm and ball joint, then separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle.

6

Remove both the vertical and horizontal nut securing the lower control arm to the vehicle. Remove the lower control arm from the vehicle.

Installation

7

Set the new control arm into position. Thread the vertical and horizontal mounting nuts through the control arm and bushing to the cross member and hand-tighten them.

8

Raise the control arm to the steering knuckle and guide the ball joint into the mounting point on the steering knuckle. Install the castle nut until hand-tight. Tighten the castle nut to 50 foot-pounds of torque with the torque wrench. Ensure the valley in the castle nut is lined up with the cotter pin hole in the ball joint stud; if it is not, loosen the nut just enough to line up the valley with the hole. Slide the cotter pin through the castle nut and ball joint stud. Separate the ends of the cotter pin and wrap them in opposite directions around the castle nut.

9

Install the washer and bushing onto the sway bar link bolt and push it through the bottom of the control arm. Install the bushing and washer over the bolt on the top of the control arm. Set the sway bar link sleeve over the bolt followed by another washer and bushing. Push the sway bar link assembly through the sway bar link and install the bushing followed by the washer. Install the sway bar link nut and tighten to 13 foot-pounds of torque with the torque wrench.

10

Place the wheel and tire onto the vehicle and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Raise the vehicle off the jack stands with the floor jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground and remove the floor jack. Tighten the lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds with the torque wrench.

11

At curb height with the full weight of the vehicle on the suspension, tighten the front control arm bolt (horizontal) to 74 foot-pounds of torque with the torque wrench, then rotate it another 90 degrees. Tighten the rear control arm bolt (vertical) to 125 foot-pounds with the torque wrench.

12

Take the vehicle to a local shop to have the front end alignment checked and adjusted as necessary.