2nd Generation Prius: Front Lower Control Arm Replacement

[@michaelblacktree]

3:01 - I meant to say the open end, not the box end. Oops.

[@billsmith5166]

Those castle nuts are a NIGHTMARE. I worked on one for an hour and a half with an air hammer to get it off. I got the second one off by using an air hammer with a pickle fork from the opposite side. It apparently stretched the threads enough for it to loosen though I'd also soaked it with Liquid Wrench for a day. For me, if I ever have to do anything again I'll just put on a new knuckle and all the other stuff. It's nice to see that I wasn't the only one that had a major problem. Every other video I've seen makes it look like a good hard sneeze would make them spin off. Thanks for the video.

[@michaelblacktree]

Yeah, I wanted to show how much I struggled with that, because other videos just gloss over it.

[@Sagemeister007]

Thanks for your comment. When I start this project next weekend, I’m going straight to chisel and a hammer with dousing with penetrating oil.

[@Youneedkoolin]

Thanks for this super helpful video. I love that you provided what size sockets will be needed, and that you showed the noise to diagnose. 2 things I hardly ever see in repair videos

[@michaelblacktree]

thanks!

[@TomFrostJr]

Exactly the noise I've been hearing on mine!

[@jessehummer]

Thanks for the video! I like how you do the subframe drop, I'll be doing the right side next weekend, so this will save me lots of time

[@Roccowrenches]

great short cut for the lower control arm bolt on the passenger side!!! appreciate it :)

[@brightfame7984]

Awesome video! That narrows down my problem with my prius.

[@yukaydin]

Thank you Michael. Your video helped me to install the Control Arms on Prius 2007.

[@waqarqadeer5217]

Very nicely done and explained

[@marbesky]

I have the exact same noise Thanks for this video now I know what to do

[@michaelblacktree]

i'm happy to help.

[@SearchRochesterHomes]

Fantastic help Michael, thank you!!

[@DavidBeatypersonal]

Great video, thanks for including the torque specs.

[@maxelsosa3863]

Woow I skipped this video a few times, the castle nut on my Prius 2nd Gen Lower ball joint got stripped and didn’t know how to get it off. I had that in mind the chisel, but haven’t tried it, now with your video I’m sure is gonna come off. Thanks so so much.

[@michaelblacktree]

Yeah, those were a big hassle. Best of luck!

[@maxelsosa3863]

@@michaelblacktree thanks a lot again I really appreciate it.

[@davidallen9392]

Great video. Very informative!!

[@JockeyCake]

Thank you, This guide is perfect

[@123sumom]

thanks

[@Rider_9213]

Thanks this help me a lot !

[@mrvic92154]

Thanks for the video it was very well done and a well informed segment, I'd like to add my two cents to help get this job done even easier what I did at the 4:40 to remove that pesky bolt because of the engine what I did was remove the lower engine mount and I swung the engine forward a couple of inches and I wedged a 2x4 between the transmission and the frame just enough to wear the pesky bolt came right out easily, I have a short video on just that alone concerning the traction arm, thanks again

[@michaelblacktree]

not a bad idea

[@riceburner4747]

Nicely done! Thqnks for the tips AND torque specs/bolt/nut sizes. Im interested in all prius projects. Gave u a 👍 & sub'd

[@michaelblacktree]

thanks!

[@bat__bat]

Thanks for help with the passenger bolt. I thought remove oil pan, especially since I need an oil change. But I'm not certain that would gain enough clearance. I'll be trying something in a few days when I tackle this. EDIT: removing the oil pan does not gain enough clearance. Did this today and used your prying method and it worked. Having trouble removing the castle nut 😖 taking a break. Looked for a chisel and I don't have one. Screwdriver isn't sharp enough to get a notch. Still working on it

[@Sagemeister007]

Thank you!

[@Sagemeister007]

I was struggling with the passenger side castle nut too. That was pretty difficult to remove. I truly appreciate your step by step process and explanation of your methodology. Thank you!!

[@Enorkyeoj]

In my prius manual, it states to remove the cv axel to access the castle nut for the ball joint.

[@cityinthesky1341]

"...a fun little trip on the struggle bus..." Funny...

[@Cool_Papa_Funk]

It took me two days to figure it out, but there's a super easy way it get that castle nut off: If you remove the cv axle, you can gently pry off that shroud that's in the way of the cast nut. Then you have clear access to it.

[@michaelblacktree]

Thanks for the advice!

[@datazndood]

That castle nut is a real nightmare boy. Spent 3 hours on it and nothing. Even with the chisel it’s very difficult. I plan to slice into sections with a dremel and then try either chisel or flat head hopefully that works. Like others have said, it’s totally worth just buying a used knuckle on eBay and a new ball joint for the easy swap. The worst part is I got it off easy when I did the wheel bearing not too long ago by removing the axle out of the way and this time I was careless and underestimated the hell that ensues once these nuts are damaged. Great video though, at least I know the subframe trick when I get there thanks!

[@michaelblacktree]

Best of luck, man.

[@datazndood]

@@michaelblacktree I actually got it off with the dremel with minimal damage to the knuckle. I cut blind almost completely flush, lucky. I used to know better just to replace the entire knuckle on my old Cayenne, I thought Prius was a cake walk but there’s a lot of bad engineering with them aside from the good gas mileage I’m quickly learning as a first time owner. Thanks again!

[@garthbartin]

This video is super helpful, thanks! But man is this repair going badly for me, all the bolts/nuts are seized as hell and the new control arms are binding really badly as I try to put them in

[@michaelblacktree]

Sorry to hear that.

[@aaronlashawn3024]

I'm fighting with mine right now, the ball joint nut is giving me the business, and I've tried almost everything with no luck. I'm getting a magnetic induction heater tomorrow to hopefully give me the upper hand that I need.

[@michaelblacktree]

Best of luck, man.

[@alennovak8446]

I did it so that i put car jack beneath oil pan, remove 2 bolts from RH engine mount upper side and 2 nuts from the bottom and lower the engine. Was done in 15 minutes. With both.

[@johnlynch-ti2yr]

Would an issue with lower control arms cause the car to pull right then go center then pull left and repeat? Even after an alignment

[@michaelblacktree]

If the bushings are worn out, it can do that. A bad tie rod can do that, as well.

[@johnlynch-ti2yr]

@ all that is good I narrowed it down the the axle I have a ripped cv boot I’ve had 2 places check all the bushings and inner and outer tie rods the only thing left is the axle and I think an owner before me hit a carb hard on that passenger side there’s a dent in the rocker so would a bad axle cause it to do that also ? I’m gonna change it when I get some time

[@lightbright8888]

I’m currently stuck because the castle but on the passenger side of my Prius won’t come off……. The rear bolts on the control arms are seized also. I guess I’ll make a trip to the store for a chisel and a torch.🥴

[@michaelblacktree]

Best of luck!

[@lightbright8888]

@@michaelblacktree thank you!

[@rc4211]

This is the most detailed and comprehensive video about replacing Gen II Toyota Prius lower control arms that I've seen yet. Well done! What particular brand/model of control arms did you install, and from where did you purchase them?

[@michaelblacktree]

Thanks for the compliment. The control arms were from Mevotech. They were the cheapest name brand part available at the time.

[@drippingwax]

Me, too, but I wasn't aware I was supposed to watch those! I am just here for morale, which I do terribly! :)

[@michaelblacktree]

You're right about that.

[@drippingwax]

@@michaelblacktree Thanks? :)

[@eternallyborn]

Hello there. Thanks for putting this on the internet as a resource! I had trouble getting the bolt to thread through the front bushing properly on the driver's side. I don't know if this means there's a defect in the arm or I just haven't wiggled it into the right position. Do you have any recommendations on how to get this bolt to thread properly in captive nut in the back? It seems getting it into place is a delicate affair on my car.

[@michaelblacktree]

There's a trick I like to use for stuff like that. If you have a big screwdriver, or a really long bolt, or something similar, you can insert it in the bolt hole and use it to finagle the control arm into place.

[@eternallyborn]

@@michaelblacktree Thanks for the quick reply, sir! I'm going to try this out tomorrow.

[@joepblow]

This is an incredibly well done instruction. I do have one question... Would there be a difference between tightening the control arm bolts before removing the shims and tightening them after removing the shims?

[@michaelblacktree]

The important part is to make sure the suspension is at normal ride height when you tighten those bolts. There are different ways to do that. So you can choose what works best for you.

[@Chris-go9ti]

Where was the arm from? If it was OEM then I guess I would fight the ball joint. If not 3 nuts on the bottom and your done. The OEM is better than aftermarket

[@deandavis-troller46]

What’s the downside for the poly urethane bushings?

[@michaelblacktree]

The ride quality will be worse.

[@justdissin7340]

Why is my prius lower from driver side? Bad springs maybe? Tires are good

[@michaelblacktree]

That can happen if the spring breaks. You might want to take a closer look at it.

[@Maluprince315]

What brand of control arms did you use?

[@michaelblacktree]

It was the cheapest name brand I could find, which was Mevotech.

[@shijirbatbattur7815]

Hello was that good? I don’t know which should I choose. There are so many options and what do you think about 150 or 160 $ 6 or 10 pieces of suspension kit

[@onefromfuture6913]

Couldnt you have just lubricated the bushing if it was just a squeak

[@michaelblacktree]

The bushings were going bad. They needed to be replaced.

[@mry82]

No poly for the Prius? LOL 😄

[@michaelblacktree]

Nah, the BMW gets all the poly. 😛

[@pinpon163]

Great video, but what a huge pain in the ass. I think I'm just gonna live with the noise. I've changed nearly every suspension in my period and this looks to be the most annoying.

[@michaelblacktree]

The ball joints were the worst part. The job would've been much easier if they cooperated.

[@mry82]

No poly for the Prius? LOL

[@themadburner]

I had to bang mines out with a hammer as it was jammed in there.

[@mry82]

No poly for the Prius? LOL 😄

[@mry82]

No poly for the Prius? LOL 😄