Focus XR5 / ST225 Rear control arm replacement step by step by OEM Denied Performance

Guide on how to replace rear control arms on a Focus XR5 / ST225 or any mk2 Focus (aside from RS mk2 as suspension is slightly different)
Tool list and torque settings are at the end of the video.
Tools not shown in tools list: Transmission jack or trolley jack.
Available from: focusonperformance.com.au/upg...

[@bensongwydion9299]

This video made me think this would be a nice simple job. Not in the sodding uk however, seized bolts at every turn - tools required include angle grinder, reciprocating saw, penetrating lubricant and a reasonable vocabulary of naughty words

[@jeffmee763]

Yes you so right.

[@philpaulcook]

Look at how fing clean STs are underneath in Australia, he would not be that chipper if he was doing it in the UK, but I do really appreciate the vids very helpful.

[@OEMDeniedPerformance]

One of the reasons why I moved here! We get bad sun damage on paint and dash's crack instead though :(

[@billy10uk]

Gotta say you've been a massive help with jobs on my st225 👌🏼 keep em coming, appreciate it.

[@EllipticRecords]

Awesome vid and a great help as went for wheel alignment on my MK2 RS yesterday to find out the inner bolts aren't looking to special so couldn't be done on the rear. Decided to replace the rear control arms and poly bush at the same time and then low and behold this vid pops up in my timeline....Must be fate! Cheers from the UK. 👍👍

[@stephenchown4318]

Another fine vido Jamie, I will be putting in the new engine mount, alternator and pcv that i have purchased from you next week. Thankyou for your first class service and the videos that you do.

[@andrewwww7684]

You Guys in Australia are so fkn lucky no rain (mostly) and definitely no road salt!..... well apart from funnel web spiders under the toilet ready to bite you on the balls, BUT when I did this job on the drive on my wife's car here in the UK with a trolley jack I had to cut the inner cam bolts off with a 4 inch cutting disc as they were sized solid!! Jamie you Sir are a star please keep smashing the vids out mate love em, how you do not have multi thousand followers is beyond me as your videos are so good?

[@OEMDeniedPerformance]

Had a snake in the parts shed once! but yeah the next to no rust is one of my top favourite things about here + the beach! Glad you like the videos mate :)

[@kenmurphy4317]

Hello mate just about to do mine .the inner cam bolts are sized solid.i am gonna cut the bolt.was your hub end bolt sized aswell.not checked the bolt yet.i also live in the u.k

[@andrewwww7684]

@kenmurphy4317 Hi Ken, no hub end looked crusty but came out no problem, you can buy new geomet coated bolts online if needed.

[@kenmurphy4317]

@Andrewww w thanks Andrew fingers crossed then.i have got a new arm drop link and bolts.will cover in Greece. Will look at bolts after I have fitted for now.thanks for info .

[@kenmurphy4317]

@Andrewww w sorry what was the bolt you mentioned.never heard of that before.was it a typo error or is that what they are called.

[@liamsutcliffe473]

Love all of these videos but this one is especially helpful. Thank you 🤝

[@OEMDeniedPerformance]

glad to be of help! :)

[@wonkylommiter6364]

At around 1 min 50 you mention that the two cam bolts are for toe alignment, I think they are for camber, not toe. all the best mate ;-)

[@ioandriment3140]

Many thanks. It is useful .

[@TomS-mo1ox]

Got the new arms in following this vid so many thanks. I did end up getting rid of the ridges on the subframe when removing old camber bolt / washer (Seized with rust) How do I go about solving this issue rather than new subframe essentially ? TIA.

[@Sloposse]

You should fit the wheels and lower the car to its own ride height before you tighten those bush bolts/nuts on those rear arms

[@OEMDeniedPerformance]

With normal bushings, yes you would do this to prevent loading up of the bushing as the arm then moves as the vehicle weight is put back onto the ground. But if you re-watch video the arms being fitted are poly-bushed. On factory bushings the internal spacer tube that the bolt goes through get pinched by the subframe and rear knuckle. It does not rotate as the bushing rubber is bonded to the spacer tube and the outer steel casing as 1 piece. With a poly-bush like what has been fitted to these arms the spacer tube is not attached to the bushing itself so it is free to spin, therefore can be tightened in any position because once tight the arm can still move. (for example at 3:34 when the nut is cracked off the pressure releases and the arm swings downwards from gravity as the tube is no longer being pinched. With a poly bush it will swing with the pressure still on the spacer tube because the spacer tube and the bushing can move independently of each other)

[@OEMDeniedPerformance]

If you are fitting arms with factory bushings, the official replacement procedure is to make up a spacer 113mm long & 20mm wide. Remove the bump stop, install the spacer on the control arm in a vertical position next to the bump stop mounting lug and to jack the control arm up until the spacer is between the control arm and the subframe. Then mark the position of the adjustment bolts and remove then. When tightening up the bolts after installing the new arms to follow the same process and install the spacer, then fully tighten.

[@southernvapersden1304]

Do you know if the rear control arm bushes being worn can cause the st225/xr5 rear to feel loose? or come out when its wet/raining? feels very unstable

[@jeffmee763]

No rust not seized bolts make it sound so easy but it is not when the bolts are seized you have to cut the bolts beware.

[@justinhanna584]

Hey Jamie quick question about the extreme clutch what would happen if you don’t reverse bleed it.

[@OEMDeniedPerformance]

you risk over stroking the CSC which will then in turn fail. Please send us a message for questions that aren't related to the video you are commenting on though mate - its a useful Q&A for someone on our clutch video, tad confusing for someone reading it on a control arm one!

[@ismailcezeri1691]

Hi, Can you share your repair manuel? Where did you find torque values?

[@OEMDeniedPerformance]

we use the Ford workshop manual. Have it from when used to work for Ford years ago. You should be able to find something online but if not and just after torque settings feel free to shoot us an email for them [e-mail]

[@JoshuaLBatterson]

Have you had many customers say how much better the feel of the upgraded control arms are?

[@OEMDeniedPerformance]

People do tend to say that after replacing yes but like all suspension components if you replace something that's flogged with something that's new its always going to feel better even if you're replacing with stock standard.

[@christianbarton4052]

My knuckle bolt is seized into the bush what's best way to remove it even if I got new arms

[@OEMDeniedPerformance]

as it the bolt wont turn at all or it turns and is no longer threaded into the arm but wont come all the way out? If its the latter I find putting the open end of a spanner underneath the head of the bolt to push against as you turn helps. Also try supporting the arm a little bit as it could be the pressure from the spring pushing down against the arm which is making it hard to fully remove the bolt

[@MYMOUNTAIN_122]

Do you sell the arms Jamie as a complete replacement?

[@OEMDeniedPerformance]

yes, there has just been a delay with some more bushes. Should be on the store by the end of the week.

[@MYMOUNTAIN_122]

@@OEMDeniedPerformance you're updated site looks alot better.

[@adrianb2891]

hi ,,,,,the final tightening of the screws is done incorrectly

[@OEMDeniedPerformance]

if you are referring to final torque of control arm to subframe and knuckle bolts, previous reply to someone else stating the same: @Sloposse 1 year ago You should fit the wheels and lower the car to its own ride height before you tighten those bush bolts/nuts on those rear arms @OEMDeniedPerformance 1 year ago With normal bushings, yes you would do this to prevent loading up of the bushing as the arm then moves as the vehicle weight is put back onto the ground. But if you re-watch video the arms being fitted are poly-bushed. On factory bushings the internal spacer tube that the bolt goes through get pinched by the subframe and rear knuckle. It does not rotate as the bushing rubber is bonded to the spacer tube and the outer steel casing as 1 piece. With a poly-bush like what has been fitted to these arms the spacer tube is not attached to the bushing itself so it is free to spin, therefore can be tightened in any position because once tight the arm can still move. (for example at 3:34 when the nut is cracked off the pressure releases and the arm swings downwards from gravity as the tube is no longer being pinched. With a poly bush it will swing with the pressure still on the spacer tube because the spacer tube and the bushing can move independently of each other)

[@Liam-iu8ti]

I wish i see this 2 weeks ago. All i am going to say