How To Replace: Lower Control Arm - Toyota Camry | 2003 - 2016 | (Complete Step By Step Full Video)

This video shows how to remove and install lower control arms on Toyota Camry LE, the customer was experiencing shimming problems when he applied the brakes on his 2003 Toyota Camry LE, after test driving the vehicle we determined the rear bushing on lower control arm had to be replaced, this involved replacing the entire lower control arm.
This included:
+Removing the wheel
+Removing the transmission mount
+Removing the ball joints
+disconnecting the tie rod end
+disconnecting the sway bar
+Loosening the bolt head for the front mount for the transmission
TOOLS:
22mm socket
19mm socket
17mm socket
Baby sledge hammer
19mm box wrench
Ratchet wrench
Breaker bar
DISCLAIMER:
While Precision Estaloca Group (P.E.G) strives to make the information provided in this video as accurate as possible, it makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or applicability of the content. No information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. All do-it-yourself projects entail some risk. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to assume this risk. Precision Estaloca Group (P.E.G) is not responsible or liable for any loss damage (including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, or punitive), liability, claim, or any other injury or cause related to or resulting from any information posted in this video.
Produced and edited by: Wlatee Pryce for Digital Media16 (DM16)

[@christopherdrew1602]

This was a great video, really helped with the job today. I replaced both control arms on a 2003 Camry. The tips for removing the transmission and motor mounts were helpful. If I could make one suggestion. I found it much easier to install the rear bushing bolt first, then rotate the control arm into place to get the two front bolts installed. Once the control arm was installed, I was able to use the pry bar to hold the control arm down to line up the ball joint.

[@jrshumach6747]

Excellent. Clear images of everything and great commentary as you went along. Just for the record: The torque spec for the two 22mm bolts is 148 ft. pounds (!) and for the 19mm rear bushing nut it is 100 ft. pounds.

[@precision_eg]

Thanks buddy

[@charlesaddei326]

I have watched many control arm videos. This is the best. It's like being in the classroom.

[@JK-jt5qh]

This is an outstanding video. I'm a very experienced amateur mechanic, rebuild my own transmissions for example. This is the kind of video you need for more complex jobs, and for ones with subtle points that can otherwise stump you for hours (aligning the two forward mounting bolts, e.g.). I think when I first did this job on one side of our Lexus ES, it took me the better part of two days to figure it all out, just doing it on my own. 2 years later, I watched this video as a review and I was done in a leisurely 4 hours when I did the other side (very leisurely). This is a difficult job for the DIY'er w/o professional tools, but this video is outstanding. It really walks you through the small points and is not at all junk like the videos by other "big name" car guys just trying to churn views to make fractional pennies. Great Job!!!! Five stars, sir!

[@JK-jt5qh]

@Bruce Lee I wanted to say, if you actually did bend one or both of those pans, consider this: a) The way to avoid that is to use a "drift." This is a softer material that spreads the force out so you don't deform a critical material. For examply, you put a 2x4 peice of lumber between your jack and the pan surface so it applies the same force, but over a much larger area so no specific ares is over-stressed and bends. b) And if you did bend something, you really need to monitor that. Bending the pan can have bad consequences - the mating surfaces can defore and you can create bad leaks. In this area, it might not drip on the ground even, but run along the seam and collect in the belly pan, sub-frame, etc. Go under there later and check. If you are not an experienced mechanic, I recommend checking in at helpful forums like Club Lexus, etc. and soliciting advice first - people will always help!

[@precision_eg]

Thank you much. Just got access to answer questions etc.

[@donaldshelton]

Loosening that bolt on the other trans mount at 4:22 is very important, took me awhile to figure this out. Thanks for the vid.

[@jacoblindsay4775]

Thank you so much for this detailed video! Gained the confidence to do it and was grateful for the time you spent. Also, thank you for showing the struggle with getting the back bolt installed. I was able to handle it without having to remove the tie rod and swaybar link but I am grateful you showed it. Great job. Thank you so much!

[@precision_eg]

you're welcome

[@setholson7588]

Many thanks for putting this out. About to tackle the job myself. Your film and narration skills are better than most.

[@philipdecatanzaro1822]

Thank you for the informative video. I just bought a pair of LCAs for my 2004. I just did the rack last summer and there was no point doing an alignment without doing this job. This video is very helpful. I don't image that I'll get to this until the weather improves. Still snow here.

[@ScubaCat3]

After doing this a few times, I can tell you it's *MUCH* easier and even faster to just remove the knuckle. It sounds like more work but it's actually not because the arm then easily slides out and the new back in, and then I just set the knuckle onto the ball joint stud, reattach everything, and am on my way. No jacking up the ball joint or spending the whole afternoon trying to line up that back bushing bolt or anything.

[@kneebarx]

ScubaCat3 i shouldve done that its so hard trying to line it up

[@ScubaCat3]

H P Trust me, it's actually a lot FASTER too because it's just a few more quick and easy steps.

[@mrdutchx8]

Doesn’t this require you to remove axle retaining nut. Found this to be troublesome due to compressed edge.

[@Rob-kv3ry]

I replaced the LCA on the passenger side. The best way to seat it is to make sure the rear bushing is lined up straight. Then the bolt will go right in. Then set the other 2 on the sub frame. I did learn that if you connect the ball joint onto the spindle first, you will have to unbolt the 2 strut bolts, to get it to set in. Trying to jack up the spindle without it being connected to the LCA is next to impossible. The spindle wants to come out and not go straight up. Hence I had to unbolt the 2 strut bolts, then I could connect the spindle-ball joint-LCA bolts, then push in on the spindle to line the strut bolts up. Many ways to do this, but it's good to learn from others mistakes.

[@dc5723]

I do that, drop the knuckle. Irregardless, you'll have to do an alignment anyway and removing the knuckle make it a lot easier to remove/replace the lower control arm.

[@paulfrick1799]

Best video on this project I've seen. I removed the dogbone (upper motor mount) to make it easier to jack the engine (I started on the other side of the car, replacing both LCAs), but forgot about the front motor mount. I will rectify that mistake before tackling the driver's side. Thanks!

[@garypryor9930]

Was it necessary to keep the entire front of the car elevated to do one side at a time? My driveway is on a slight incline and I'm nervous about keeping the whole front end raised

[@precision_eg]

Sorry for the delay but I just got access to answer questions and comments. Thanks much.

[@precision_eg]

Hi Gary, I am late for this job but in the future, it's always advisable to be on level paved surface when jacking a vehicle. However, if I "HAVE" to do this on an incline, the front and the back, in the direction of the incline, I will take every precaution to prevent the vehicle from rolling. For instance, if lifting the first of a front wheel drive vehicle, I will use well made rubber chocks on both rear wheels and apply my parking brakes as hard as possible. If it's the rear I will chock the front and put the car in, opposition to direction of roll, gear. Same theory applies to rear drive (in reverse).

[@rodcros]

I'm just getting set to do this procedure on my 2005 Lexus es330. Your video is very helpful.

[@Dexion845]

I performed this on my 2009 Camry, its much easier if you remove the knuckle from the axle because the lower ball joint castle nut was the hardest part with the cotter pin nicely rusted in place and you'll just have more room in general. Use a prybar to hammer-tap the new control arm into place of the 19mm bolt by the bushing first upon re-install. Good luck! New Ball joints will also get rid of steering wander on windy days.

[@SK-fp8us]

Excellent video very articulate description of each step...Thank you.

[@alvinbaez2006]

Thanks for the video. Alot of the struggle reinstalling was due to tightening everything down. Instead of leaving a little loose for some play.

[@ChrisNole_]

Excellent video! Thank you for taking the time to put this together.

[@precision_eg]

thanks for the comment, be sure to subscribe to get updates on our latest videos

[@jamesjoyner9454]

Great video so much detail thank you for doing these videos it helped me a lot when I worked on my car keep up the good work thanks

[@ahmadghosheh3104]

Good video. I had such a problem with the back long bolt on the control arm I thought I am doing something wrong. I see you had the same problem. Also the ball joint castle nut was a nightmare. I eventually removed the axle then cut off the ball joint nut and grounded it then using a tool pushed it out. This is a hard job for sure. Your video helped me a lot.

[@JamesAutoDude]

Also I'd just take the ball joint off the control arm. Would make it a lot easier to prevent it going too far in and not being able to get the nut on...

[@kneebarx]

loosening the front mount bolt helps alot thanks for the tip!

[@planchik]

which front mount bolt? the dogbone mount?

[@benjaminsmith9175]

Thank you for the great video. You are extremely detailed and helpful

[@kennethbouch7796]

Every video on KZbin is for the easy side that you can jack up on the transmission. What about the other side where the only thing to jack on is the oil pan which you can’t do. How do you get that motor mount out so you can get to that one bolt?

[@compallitoscott6595]

Thank you help me alot your video to fix my car 👍

[@shaneolean1396]

Doing this job today with some MOOG control arms on my 2013 V6. Hoping all goes smoothly!

[@shaneolean1396]

Update: DONT pull hard on your passenger cv axle. It will come apart. The boots will come off. The intermediate bearing is very hard to reach to remove. Just dont pull on the cv. Be careful if you turn the steering wheel with the ball joint disengaged. That's how I broke my CV.

[@shaneolean1396]

I just did this job on the driver side to my car over the last 2 days. Some things I learned: 1. Take the CV out the whole way before starting. It will save you a lot of work. 2. Lining up the rear control arm bushing is hard. Get 2 people to help. 3. When jacking up the transmission, the front mount bolt is extremely important. If you have the V6, you have to use a universal joint to loosen the front mount bolt. If you dont loosen it enough, the Jack will life the whole car by that front mount bolt. Which is dangerous and things could break. It may be best to take that bolt completely out. It should line back up when you let it down. 4. Get a ball joint tool that squeezes the top of the ball joint down. It will save you a lot of time hammering wedges.

[@planchik]

@@shaneolean1396 which front mount bolt are you talking about exactly?

[@sanctealphonse4510]

@@planchik The front motor mount behind the radiator.

[@jamespinckard4210]

Good job and explanation but didn't you have to remove the upper dog bone before you started this job?

[@blthetube1962]

Great video..Very descriptive and easy to follow. One question....What are you doing a week from tomorrow?

[@precision_eg]

Sorry for the delay. Just got access to answer questions.

[@johncarey9005]

Your help is wonderful. Thank you very much for your patience and knowledge. I subscribed-JLC

[@johnathangarcia3877]

I seen countless videos telling me to mount or lift the engine/transmission. Can you explain WHERE exactly is the spot I’m supposed to place the jack?

[@sanctealphonse4510]

Drivers side: you could either put a piece of 2X4 over the pan or on the split part of the case a little further back. I tried the pan first but it was lifting too high on the forward part which was bottoming out power connector to the alternator against a bracket there so I decided to jack up the transmission further back at the mating surfaces of the transmission case. This made the transmission lift up more evenly to where I could get the transmission mount off. I'm mostly done with one side and got beat up pretty bad and my axle separated at the boot. I would really read the earlier comments about taking the whole knuckle off to do this and consider that route. That's what I plan to do on the passenger side and I might have to do it to the drivers side since I'm encountering so many problems although I'm so close Im not sure.

[@MA_808]

it really helps to have an impact wrench to pull everything apart

[@fastcache]

Thank you for the video! Great info!

[@JamesAutoDude]

just so everyone knows, this part can also cause a "pop"/"clunk" while stopping

[@TylerRivera635]

I turned this into a night mare lol I popped the cv axle shaft out of its socket on the joint and had to put it back together. This happened while I was trying to loosen the castle-nut for the balljoint

[@precision_eg]

Sorry I am 8 months late. Just got access to answer questions and comments. Hope things worked well for you. Fortunately it's not like the CV joints on the early VWs. The Japanese vehicle axles are easier.

[@MH-wo1pm]

Thank you for this video. This was very helpfull.

[@fahadsalman5285]

Thankyou , Very Helpfull for me !

[@precision_eg]

glad to help

[@MariaGonzalez-ei1pv]

Excellent video... 👏Bravo 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 5 stars

[@garypryor9930]

Great video. Is this able to be done by jacking up only one side of the car at a time?

[@precision_eg]

Sorry for the delay. Just got access to answer questions. Certainly, but might be more difficult. Best to have both sides evenly jacked up.

[@timdixon1166]

NOTE TO AUSTRALIAN VIEWERS.....the Oz built (4 cyl) Camry is different. You do NOT need to remove the engine mount (on the left side) as both bolts are readily accessible (and tight!!). The rear bush bolt looks hard to get to but the (top) nut is on a retaining plate so does not need to be held when undoing the bolt from the bottom. Some smart redesign for the Oz built Camrys.....

[@johnbarber6862]

maybe so, but the Aussie Tarago is a bitch with the mount in the way & mount long top bolt problem ~ the other mount bolt is a good tip at 4:22

[@johnbarber6862]

Great, Similar to Tarago 00-06,(Aussie 8seat minibus) same engine mount in way problem. I was thinking, loosen front bolt (split ring spanner) remove rest & pivot arm around & use bolt puller to replace bush, would that work instead of lifting motor & removing engine mount? maybe front bolt TOO Tight?

[@khaledelsayed7009]

Great video. Thanks

[@danielcasahombre53]

Muchas Gracias por éste video 💯 It was nice explanation I love it 🤜🤛 🇺🇸 🇬🇹

[@JamesAutoDude]

Did you try to pull the motor mount up all the way and then try to bring it out from the bottom instead of pivoting it from the top?

[@jen3345]

Thank you for this great video! How long did it take you to do both control arms?

[@precision_eg]

Sorry it took a year to reply. Just got access to answer questions and comments. Don't recall the time it took but it is always much longer when do a video.

[@jen3345]

@@precision_eg No worries lol. My dad and I did this and it took about 6-8 hours in total. Luckily none of my bolts were rusted.

[@pedrocampos7334]

Muy buen video muy bien explicado grasias , mucha ayuda

[@steve-1888]

Unfortunately while doing this job the other day, I somehow managed to ruin the bolt hole threads of one of the 22mm holes (not the one under the motor mount). Any suggestion on how to fix that as its a high torque location? A tap?

[@MrColeman631]

Did you remove the sway bar link

[@Technewlogy]

I just changed the LCA on my 2007 with new ball joints as well but noe when the wheel turns there is a popping/clicking sound. Is that because its new?

[@precision_eg]

Sorry I am 9 months late. Just got access to answer questions and comments. Hope you were able to solve the problem. Answer is no. In a case like this, many certain everything is tight and secure. Check axes joints etc.

[@zofa300]

Thank you so much. Great video. I did exactly what you have done and it works great for Camry 2007 LE 2.4L. However when I dropped the car at the shop for alignment, They can not align it well and they thought that I had an accident at the passenger side. They said the best they can do is to have a Toe deviation of 1 degrees which is A LOT. I am not sure what is going on wrong. I suspect that the issue is in the aftermarket control arm and ball join. I think I should have bought the original parts rather than using the aftermarket one. Any idea what else could be wrong? It is just too much work for replacing the control arm again :( Thank you

[@precision_eg]

Hey man, sorry I didn't get to you a year ago. Just got access to answer questions etc.. I always use aftermarket arms. Never had a problem. Was the problem solved?

[@migzchevy22]

I have a Camry with 128,000 miles, was going to only change the ball joint after this video I am better off changing the whole control arm.

[@precision_eg]

Sorry for the delay but I just got access to answer questions. You were on the right track. Hope your repair went well.

[@NevardoCortezLobo]

Does any1 know if you buy an Toyota branded OEM lower control arm, will it come with the ball joint? Should I get the ball joints replaced with the control arms?

[@jeronefarewell6879]

I replaced my lower control arms on a 2004 camry le 2.4 with Moog parts but now my front end is about 2 inches higher? Why is this? Any help is greatly appreciated.

[@juansaldana7101]

How do you replace the lower control arm drivers side, for 2011 Toyota Sienna

[@FreshClothingInk]

How do you leverage the bushing in to get the both through

[@bowler0328]

Hi. I have 2007 Camry V6. Do you jack the engine with piece of wood on transmission pan to remove both engine mounts?

[@precision_eg]

Hi there, anytime you have to Jack up an engine or transmission, locate the most solid part of the unit you want to elevate and place a piece of wood between the Jack and that area. If you're doing this on the pan, use a piece of wood that will cover a large surface area. Thanks for watching.

[@ahmadmohd1504]

Guys , after finishing the replacement of control arm ,,, is it necessary to alignment of the tire rod ?

[@sanctealphonse4510]

Are you asking if you need an alignment? Probably not really necessary but a good practice - your car is probably due for one anyway. They'll check to see if it needs it anyway and adjust it if it does.

[@hadit4029]

how many hour needed to replace front left and right?

[@jds1209]

I did recently on 04 v6 camry, had to cut using sawzall 1 engine mount bolt and another control arm bolt. These models have the WORST design, took around 20 solid hours continuous if you have to calculate, I took couple days spread over to finish, i also replaced inner and oter tie rod and strut assembly, wheel bearing and hub as well

[@Dexion845]

Not looking forward to doing this, i see my LCA bushing showing cracks on my 2009 so I guess it’s coming soon

[@precision_eg]

Good luck, let me know how it turns out

[@Dexion845]

@@precision_eg Turned out good! I found two OEM ones on Ebay for a good deal (2004-2016 are all the same L/R parts) I disconnected the knuckle from the strut and cv axle so I can have more space. I had to wind up cutting the cotter pin and impacting the castle nut off. Made the job much easier with the knuckle free though. Thank you for your video!

[@_King.Khan_]

Is it normal for the rear bushing to have a lot of flex?

[@precision_eg]

These bushings are not designed to flex a lot because that will give rise to sloppy handling. When checking bushings, I jack the vehicle up, remove the wheel (use Jack stands at all times) and place a pry bar between the slot where the arm fits and the frame that the bushing is pressed into and pry. If you're uncertain, compare left and right sides. Also look for cracks in the rubber. Check the metal sleeve in the center (shouldn't be separated from the rubber). Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@precision_eg]

Sorry for taking so long to respond. Just got access two days ago to respond to comments.

[@tmorton922]

I mean, how the hell you get the trans mount out of there???? dropped sub frame Lifted motor. Pass side twists out but drivers side will not rotate and cannot get enough celearance,,, What gives?

[@jayt717]

Yeah, just loosen the back bolt, no problem 🤷🏻‍♂️🙄

[@mitchellh6885]

Anybody have the torque specs for these different bolts

[@ratataran]

Good and tight, it isn't a head gasket replacement

[@gr8dfender742]

I have to say Toyota disappoints me when it comes to this remove and replace. The fact the trans mounts have to be removed surprises me. This is a inconvenience American car Engineers usually leave us shade tree mechanics. That being said do I want to spend a entire day on my ass in the garage or take it to a reliable local shop who gave me a quote of $900 parts and labor for both control arms? Can I get some opinions?

[@precision_eg]

Don't know what to say about this except that, every vehicle out here have their pros and cons. My background is in engendering and I spend a lot of time looking at how things are designed and what they are designed to do. Believe it or not, the old Volkswagen beetle, in my opinion, is the most thoughtful design and therefore easiest vehicle I've worked on.

[@josea5228]

Wait untill you replace the rear lower forward. That's a pain! The gas tank is blocking the bolt

[@coreylewis9221]

If u had to apply that much pressure to move that ball joint that other was shot to hell way pass not bad lol

[@tmorton922]

Nobody wants to address motor mounts on a rx 330 . especially the driver side

[@precision_eg]

Sorry man, never done one.

[@tmorton922]

@@precision_eg They are a mother.... Been there, done that on my wife's car. Toyotas are put together so well, they don't like to be taken apart.