How to Replace Rear Lower Control Arm 06-10 Ford Explorer
Difficulty: Advanced · About 90 min · Ford Explorer
Replace the rear lower control arm on a 2006–10 Ford Explorer, supporting the trailing arm and tightening bonded bushings at normal ride height.
Tools you will need
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- 19 mm socket
- 24 mm socket
- 24 mm wrench
- 15 mm socket
- 16 mm socket
- Ratchet
- Torque wrench
Parts and supplies
- Rear lower control arm
- Sway bar link hardware, as needed
Steps
Raise and remove the wheel
Loosen the lug nuts on the ground, raise and support the rear safely, then remove the wheel.
Disconnect the sway bar link
Apply penetrant to the link fasteners and counterhold the stud while loosening its nuts. Remove the link hardware and set the bushings and washers aside in order.
Support and remove the control arm
Support the trailing arm with a jack. Loosen the control arm fasteners while counterholding their nuts, then remove the knuckle, strut, and frame bolts and lower the arm.
Install the new control arm
Transfer any required bracket and align the replacement arm with the frame, strut, and knuckle. Start all bolts by hand while the suspension remains supported.
Tighten at ride height and reconnect link
Raise the suspension to normal ride height before tightening the control arm pivot bolts to vehicle specification. Reinstall the sway bar link with its bushings and washers correctly stacked.
Reinstall the wheel and inspect
Mount the wheel and torque lug nuts to specification. Lower the vehicle, inspect clearances, and arrange an alignment check if the repair changed suspension geometry.
Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.