Drivers Side Control Arm Replacement

[mix123]

Hi. I'm going to be replacing the drivers side control arm on my '04 Hatchback Aveo this week. I just had two questions...

- Do you have to lift the transmission slightly out of the way to remove all of the bolts? I read a thread that stated that but wanted to confirm as I don't see those instructions in the service manual or in the steps in the how to I found on here.

- The service manual mentions after you have the new arm on. You should tighten the bolts with a jack stand under the arm so it has all of the weight on it. IS this necessary? Sounds strange.

Thanks in advance!

[cnelon85]

I didn't have to move the transmission when servicing mine.

YES, it is necessary to pre load before your final torque unless you're okay with ride height and bushing issues.

[mix123]

I didn't have to move the transmission when servicing mine.

YES, it is necessary to pre load before your final torque unless you're okay with ride height and bushing issues.

Thanks!

Preload....So put the wheel back on...put jackstand under the control arm...lower onto jackstand....torque everything? or Just put wheel on put car back on the ground then torque everything.

[cnelon85]

Reassemble everything, lower it on the stand, torque, then you can lower it to the ground. Make sure to use thread sealer and new locking nuts.

[mix123]

Reassemble everything, lower it on the stand, torque, then you can lower it to the ground. Make sure to use thread sealer and new locking nuts.

Ok. Any idea what locking nuts I will need? Size and type. So I can grab them before I start on this...thnx. If not I will just run and get some when I have them off.

[cnelon85]

You want self locking nuts and I don't remember the exact size off the top of my head. It's for the stabilizer links (1 link per side, 2 nuts per link). They have a tendency to work themselves loose if you reuse them and youll know it when you start hearing a loud knocking in your floorboard.

[mix123]

You want self locking nuts and I don't remember the exact size off the top of my head. It's for the stabilizer links (1 link per side, 2 nuts per link). They have a tendency to work themselves loose if you reuse them and youll know it when you start hearing a loud knocking in your floorboard.

Ok. I'll just go grab some once I have them off. Thanks for all the help. I'll let you know how it goes. Just waiting on the new arm to arrive.

[mix123]

So I've started working on this. Honestly its been more work than anticipated llol. It turns out you do have to lift the tranny slightly to get the front bolt out. Took me a while to figure that one out.

Then it turned out the rear bolt was seized into the sleeve inside the bushing. So I pissed around with that for a while then just cut it out with the sawzall.

Have the arm off finally. Just now have to get the little bit of bolt out of the nut that's welded on. Not sure if I should just try and get that nut off and just replace it. Or try and get the bolt out of the nut. What do you guys think?

[gothstone]

Drill it out centered and a few sizes smaller than the bolt. Usually when your part way through it will break loose, then you can reverse the drill and it will come off with the drill bit. If not your left with cutting and replacing the nut which I would think would be a bitch to re-weld.

[mix123]

Drill it out centered and a few sizes smaller than the bolt. Usually when your part way through it will break loose, then you can reverse the drill and it will come off with the drill bit. If not your left with cutting and replacing the nut which I would think would be a bitch to re-weld.

OK. I'll give it a try.