Login to enhance your online experience. Login or Create an Account
Logo
Shopping Cart

Shopping Cart 0 Items (Empty)

Toyota B 2B engine factory workshop and repair manual digital

Tools & parts
- Tools: floor jack, jack stands (rated), wheel chocks, 1/2" breaker bar, set of sockets and wrenches (common metric: 10–24 mm), torque wrench (capable to ~200 ft‑lb), ratchet, extensions, universal joints, impact wrench (optional), ball‑joint separator (pickle fork) or a two‑jaw ball‑joint puller, tie‑rod separator (optional), large pry bar, hammer, punch, penetrating oil (PB Blaster), wire brush, shop rags, rubber mallet, grease and rags, anti‑seize, thread locker (per factory), replacement cotter pins, wire cutters.
- Optional: 3‑jaw puller, hydraulic or threaded ball joint press (if pressing out bushings), heat gun/propane torch (careful).
- Parts: new control arm assembly (recommended) or new control arm bushings and ball joint if rebuilding; new mounting bolts/nuts if torque‑to‑yield or corroded; new cotter pin(s); new sway bar link hardware if needed. Always have the Toyota factory service manual or OEM torque specs.

Safety precautions
- Work on a level surface, set parking brake, chock opposite wheels.
- Use a floor jack only to lift; always support with jack stands under the frame/subframe points. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.
- Wear eye protection and gloves.
- If heating bolts, keep flammables away.
- Keep hands clear when separating press‑fit ball joints—components can release suddenly.
- After reassembly, get a professional wheel alignment before driving more than a few miles.

Step‑by‑step: front lower control arm replacement (typical Toyota bB / similar Toyota compact)
1. Preparation
- Park on flat surface, chock rear wheels, loosen front wheel lug nuts slightly while car on ground.
- Spray penetrating oil on control arm mounting bolts, ball joint nut, sway bar link fasteners and axle nut if needed. Let soak.

2. Lift and remove wheel
- Lift front of car with floor jack at designated lift point; place on jack stands under subframe or pinch welds. Lower onto stands.
- Remove front wheel.

3. Disconnect ancillary components
- Remove sway bar end link from control arm if attached (remove nut and separate link). Use two wrenches to hold stud while removing nut.
- Remove brake caliper and hang it (do NOT let hang by brake hose) or secure it with a hanger. Remove brake rotor if it blocks access.
- If necessary, remove ABS sensor or bracket from knuckle and secure wiring out of the way.
- If the CV axle is inboard and hub nut blocks access, remove axle nut (use breaker bar or impact). Support the hub/knuckle if needed.

4. Separate ball joint from steering knuckle
- Remove the castle/hex nut from the lower control arm ball joint stud. If cotter pin present, remove it first.
- Use a ball‑joint separator (pickle fork) or two‑jaw puller between ball joint and knuckle. Alternatively, hit the knuckle sharply with a hammer on the side near the ball joint stud to break tapered fit (support hub to avoid stressing the CV).
- Once separated, push knuckle away and be careful not to over‑extend CV axle.

5. Unbolt control arm from subframe/frame
- Locate and remove the bolts that attach the control arm to the subframe or body (usually 2–3 bolts through bushings). Support the control arm with a jack or pry bar so it does not drop suddenly.
- If bolts are seized, use penetrating oil, heat, and an impact wrench. Take care not to bend or damage mounting points.

6. Remove old control arm
- Lower control arm and remove it from vehicle. Inspect ball joint, bushings, and mounting points to confirm replacement reasons.

7. Prepare replacement
- If installing a new complete control arm assembly, compare to old part—confirm orientation and that ball joint and bushing preloads are correct.
- Clean mounting surfaces and wire‑brush bolts. Apply anti‑seize on bolt threads if recommended. Replace bolts/nuts if corroded or if factory calls for new ones.

8. Install new control arm
- Position new control arm and insert mounting bolts finger‑tight. Do not fully torque bush mounting bolts until vehicle is at normal ride height unless factory instructs otherwise—some bushings require pre‑load or torque with suspension compressed. Check service manual for bushing preload procedure.
- Reconnect ball joint into knuckle; tighten ball joint nut to factory torque. If a cotter pin is required, install new cotter pin and bend properly.
- Reinstall sway bar link and other brackets; torque all fasteners to spec.

9. Reassemble brakes/wheel
- Reinstall rotor and caliper, torque caliper bolts.
- Reinstall wheel, hand‑tighten lug nuts.

10. Lower and torque
- Lower vehicle onto ground with normal weight on suspension. With car on ground, torque control arm mounting bolts to factory specs (if manual calls for torque at ride height). Torque wheels to spec in a star pattern.
- If axle nut was removed, torque to spec and install new cotter pin if needed.

11. Final checks and alignment
- Double‑check all fasteners, ensure no cracked boots on ball joints, no brake line pinches.
- Start the car and slowly roll forward/backward to let suspension settle, then re‑torque bolts if required.
- ALWAYS get a professional 4‑wheel alignment after replacing control arm(s).

How each major tool is used (brief)
- Floor jack & jack stands: lift and safely support vehicle. Use stands under manufacturer‑approved points.
- Breaker bar/impact: to break loose tight nuts (ball joint nut, axle nut, mounting bolts). Use impact for stubborn corroded fasteners.
- Ball‑joint separator/pickle fork or puller: inserted between ball joint stud and knuckle; applying leverage or threaded action pushes the tapered stud out of the knuckle without damaging threads. Use puller if you want cleaner separation.
- Pry bar: used to position control arm for bolt insertion or to relieve tension on ball joint to remove stud.
- Torque wrench: used to tighten bolts to factory torque values—critical for safety and proper bushing preload.
- Press or ball joint tool: if replacing bushings or pressing ball joint, press tool is used to press bushings/ball joint in/out; requires supporting arm and careful alignment.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Reusing damaged or torque‑to‑yield bolts: replace if corroded or specified single‑use.
- Forgetting to torque control arm bushings at ride height: follow factory procedure or you’ll get premature bushing wear or alignment pull.
- Damaging CV axle boots by letting hub hang unsupported: always support hub/knuckle.
- Not replacing cotter pins or using improper fasteners: use new cotter pins and correct OEM nuts.
- Using excessive force on ball joints: use proper separator/puller to avoid tearing boot or damaging joint.
- Not getting an alignment after replacement: results in poor handling and rapid tire wear.
- Overheating nearby components with torch: use heat sparingly and protect rubber/plastic lines.
- Forgetting to check ABS sensor wire routing: don’t pinch or trap wiring when reinstalling.

Final notes
- If you’re unsure about any torque value or bushing preload procedure, consult the Toyota bB factory repair manual for model year‑specific instructions and torque specs.
- When in doubt replace the entire control arm assembly (with preinstalled ball joint and bushings) — faster and more reliable than rebuilding.
- After road test, re‑inspect fasteners and cotter pins.

Done.
rteeqp73

You Might Also Like...

Kryptronic Internet Software Solutions