Below is a video on how to replace lower control arms 2005-2009 Subaru Outback
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Today we are going to be showing you how to replace front lower control arms 2005-2009 Subaru Outback. We are going to be showing you on this 2007 Subaru Outback. This will be similar to other years and model Subaru’s.
You can replace just the rear control arm bushing but you will need a press to press the old bushing out and the new one in. Most find that its easier to replace the lower control completely as the bushing is already installed in the new arm. We are also going to be replacing the ball joints as the boots on them are ripped and then are eventually going to fail as sand / debris gets into the ball joint.
To start well get the front of the vehicle into the air. For us we are going to use this lift. If you were doing this in your driveway you will need a floor jack and some jack stands. Once we have the car in the air we can grab a 19mm and an impact driver and remove the lug nuts from the drivers and passenger side wheels.
With the lug nuts removed we can remove the wheel and tire and set it aside.
To remove the lower control arm we will start by removing the front sway bar link. On this one its an aftermarket link so it will be a 17mm socket. Well also grab a pair of channel lock pliers to hold the shoulder to make sure that the stub doesn’t spin within the socket.
Once we have the sway bar link nut removed we can take that 17mm socket and impact and also a 17mm wrench and remove the lower front bolt out of the lower control arm.
With that bolt removed we can grab a 19mm socket and impact and remove the nut and the two bolts on the back of the control arm. Which will allow us to remove the bracket as well.
Now we can proceed to the ball joint area. Our control arms came with the ball joints and our boots are ripped so we are going to replace them as well. So for us we are going to grab a 14mm socket and remove the ball joint bolt. You can grab a flat chisel and place it into the joint of the ball joint and tap it a few times to spread it open a bit to make it easier to remove the ball joint. If the ball joint is still you can also use an Astro Subaru ball joint puller to pull it right out.
If you are not replacing the ball joints you will want to grab a set of pliers and remove the cotter pin from the ball joint castle nut. Once you have the cotter pin removed you can grab that 19mm socket and remove the castle nut from the ball joint.
Once you have removed the 14mm bolt for the ball joint or the 19mm ball joint castle nut we can grab a hammer and hit the lower control arm to either pop the control arm off the ball joint or pull the ball joint out.
With the ball joint pulled out we can fully remove the 17mm front bolt in the control arm followed by pulling it off the rear stud and finally removing the sway bar link. That will allow us to fully remove the old control arm.
Next we can grab a wire wheel to clean out the socket where the ball joint goes and the 14mm bolt itself. Once we have it cleaned out we can apply some anti seize to the top of the ball joint and the 14mm bolt.
The ball joint should sit in the socket flush and the bolt should be able to slide in rather easily. Well start the bolt by hand and snug it up with the 14mm socket and impact. Next we can grab a torque wrench and the 14mm socket and torque it down to 37 ft-lbs.
Once we have the ball joint torqued down we can grab the new control arm and slide it onto the pin/ stud in the rear. Just use the 19mm nut to hold it. Then we’ll get the ball joint on and tread on the 19mm castle nut to hold it as well.
Next we’ll pull the hub out and get that front 17mm bolt to align. You may need a pry bar to help keep it aligned to be able to start the bolt. You may also want to use a hammer to tap it in to seat it. Be careful as to not mess up the threads. Once we have it though we can apply some anti seize and start the nut by hand.
Once we have that nut started. We can get the sway bar link back into the lower control arm. You may find it easier to remove the ball joint castle nut and take the control arm off the ball joint. If you do you can use a bar to pull the A arm downward while getting the control arm back onto the ball joint. Then we can restart the castle nut.
With the castle nut back on the ball joint we can remove the back 19mm nut and install the bracket and apply some anti seize to the stud and the two bolts. With the bracket in place with the nut and bolts reinstalled we can grab the 19mm socket and impact and snug them down.
Once we have them snugged down we can grab a torque wrench and torque them. If they are a steel control arm the torque is 110 ft lbs if they are an aluminum control arm it will be 80 ft lbs.
Next we can grab a 17mm socket and impact and wrench and snug down the front bolt. Once we have it snugged down we can grab the torque wrench and set it to 80 ft lbs and torque it down.
With that 17mm bolt torqued down we can move onto snugging the sway bar link nut down within the control arm. With it snugged down we can grab the torque wrench and set it to 34 ft lbs and torque it down.
Now that we have the sway bar link nut torqued we can snug down the 19mm castle nut for the ball joint. Once hand tight we can grab the torque wrench and set it to 29 ft lbs and torque it down. Keep in mind we need the castle part of the nut to align with the hole in the ball joint so we can get the cotter pin in.
Once we have the 19mm castle nut torqued down we can grab our new cotter pin and slide it though the hole in the ball joint. Once though we can grab a pair on needle nose or cutting dike pliers and bend the extra over to ensure it can’t back out.
That completes the install for the drivers side. It’s best just to double check that everything is tight and torqued down. We’ll repeat the same process for replacing the passenger side lower control arm and ball joint.
With the passenger side control arm and ball joint replaced we can reinstall the wheels and start the lug nuts by hand. Once we have the lug nuts started by hand we can grab the impact and a 19mm socket and snug them down in a star pattern to ensure we pull the wheel evenly onto the hub.
Now that we have the lug nuts snug we can lower the car back onto the ground and grab a torque wrench and torque the lug nuts down to 90 ft lbs. Be sure to use a star or criss cross pattern to torque the wheel down.
With both front wheels on and the lug nuts torqued down we can take the vehicle for a ride to ensure there are no noises and rides smooth. If everything is good the next stop will be at a local alignment shop to get the car aligned to ensure the new tires they put on last and we don’t have any uneven tire wear And to get the steering wheel straight as well as its off just a bit to the left when going straight.
That’s it we have just shown you how to replace lower control arms 2005-2009 Subaru Outback.
If you would like to see a video on replacing the front sway bars on a 2005-2009 Subaru outback
