Replace Lower Control Arm & Ball Joint | 1993-2001 Toyota Camry

We replaced the lower control arm bushing and ball joint on my 1995 Toyota Camry, 3rd generation. A bushing in the lower control arm and the ball joint needed to be replaced. I had a machine shop push out the old, worn bushing and push in the new bushing.

[@shimxininahi8024]

Well detailed narratives help a lot! Learn to lock a box end wrench to the open end side of the working wrench gives more torque leverage on the ball joint castle nut. There are crowfoot wrench attachments for the torque wrench in tight areas you wanna torque. Attaching the lower control arms rear bolt is the hardest if anyone doesn't follow your method! That locknut clip keeps running away because it's nut is not anchored like body fender clips. Why couldn't I have found this 1st? You gals eliminate all the difficulties I encountered! Loved the close up video !!!🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@frugaldiy1]

Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I appreciate that and will pass on your comment to Sister. HappyDIYing! ;)

[@mingyang1922]

This is the best video for lower control arm and ball joint replacement. Very clear. Nicely done. Thanks.

[@frugaldiy1]

Thank you, Ming. That means a lot to me, and I appreciate that you took the time to say it. ;)

[@damgreene]

good video and detailed However, I woud suggest you refrain from using your torque wrench as a breakerr bar and use it only to tighten to spec. Using it in the fashion you did can lead to decalibration and damage!

[@Cokie907]

Wow! Working on them foreign jobs is quite a chore. I got tired just watching! Think I did the LCA and ball joint on my Saturn in 30 mins and i didn't need any pickle forks, cheater bars or machine shops. 😂

[@curbz99]

Great Video !! -- Very well explained and documented.

[@frugaldiy1]

Thank you, C Urbz. We appreciate your comment. Happy DIYing!

[@tinaluke5124]

Thank you for this brilliant video.

[@frugaldiy1]

You're welcome, Tina, and thank you for your kind words.

[@vicmf]

Ustedes son unas dura! Best video on KZbin about this matter

[@frugaldiy1]

Victor, that means so much to me. Thank you for taking the time to write such a supportive and nice comment--truly. Good luck on your project and happy DIYing! ;)

[@vicmf]

Thank you!

[@josephgarcia3767]

Great video, do you have a recommendation for the replacement bushings for the control arm. Did you use original Toyota parts? Thank you.

[@frugaldiy1]

Thank you, Joseph. Toyota does not have or sell OEM bushings for the lower control arm. They do sell the entire lower control arm, which I would NEVER buy because it's not necessary--hence, Frugal DIY. :) DO Not under any circumstances give up your OEM contol arm, just replace the bushings. I purchased my replacement bushings from AutoZone--the AutoZone Duralast brand. Call AutoZone and they will help you find the correct bushing(s) for your exact vehicle. Now, if you need to replace both the round, donut bushing (the rear one that I replaced) AND the long, cylindrical bushing (toward the front of the control arm), you can buy a bushing kit that has both. Or, you can purchased them separately, as I did. I then had a machine shop push the bushing out an in for $20.00. Look for a machine shop in your local area that is willing to push lower control arm bushings out and in. Some machine shops don't have the equipment to do that small bushing. I did use a Toyota OEM ball joint, and I highly recommend you do. I purchased the Toyota OEM ball joints off of eBay for a screaming deal. LOOK on eBay. The Toyota dealership wanted too much money for the ball joints. Message back if you need more info or help.

[@thetir0]

Torque wrench for removal!? Interesting.

[@frugaldiy1]

Works like a charm, Bob.

[@ask43242flight]

@@frugaldiy1 this is no no. Doing so will eventually damage your torque wrench.

[@Bpaz6335]

Do you have to call Toyota to order a part or can you simply search it online !?

[@Habanecro]

8:26 The tab of the locking nut on our camry's right control arm broke and we had to use a flare nut wrench to hold the nut in place in order to get the bolt loose. What would you recommend we do in order to replace it? The control arms we bought didn't come with replacement hardware and I can't find those locking nuts anywhere online :/

[@frugaldiy1]

I'd recommend you call your local Toyota dealership or go to junk/salvage yard and pull one off. That's what Sister and I would do.

[@emilioochoa5454]

Damn this was good. Thank you ! I got quote $800 to do this job (including alignment) and I was just like there’s no way. I outta owe you a percentage of the money saved. Question. Could I first remove the control arm completely then the ball joint? Just to get the control arm out the way and have more room. Or do you recommend I keep it on while getting the ball joint out?

[@frugaldiy1]

Thank you, Emilio, for the nice comment. There's no harm in trying. We just found it easier to take the ball joint first. You've got to consider the leverage points you need to loosen and/or remove parts, which is what we did.

[@ElohiSilverEarthVentures]

This is compatible with the Toyota Avalon right? Mines a 1998

[@m88driver]

Saved me 1,500 bucks

[@frugaldiy1]

WONDERFUL to hear! ;)

[@tyerogers1247]

I got question is it okay to use a torque wrench when it's rusted at the bottom

[@shimxininahi8024]

Just clean it up and continue using it if the adjusting nut is still secured. You might wanna use a rust stopper.

[@ask43242flight]

May you please share where you bought the replacement bushings?

[@frugaldiy1]

AutoZone