How to Replace Control Arm 1999-2009 Volkswagen Jetta
Created on: 2014-03-31
Watch this video to learn how to replace a lower control arm on your 99-09 Volkswagen Jetta.
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step 1 :Removing the Wheel
- Remove the lug nut covers with a 7mm Allen bit
- Push the lug nut key into the special lug nut
- Loosen the lug nuts with the vehicle on the ground
- Raise the vehicle with a floor jack
- Secure the vehicle on jack stands
- Remove the lug nuts
- Pull off the wheel
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step 2 :Removing the Lower Control Arm
- Remove the first 18mm bolt from the control arm with a ratchet and pipe for leverage
- Loosen the second 18mm bolt with the ratchet and pipe
- Hold the bolt with an 18mm wrench
- Remove the second 18mm bolt with the ratchet
- Remove the 16mm bolt from the sway bar link
- Attach locking pliers between the wheel knuckle and the ball joint nut
- Remove the ball joint nut with a 19mm wrench
- Pull the wheel aside
- Pull the control arm down and out
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step 3 :Removing the Ball Joint from the Control Arm
- Remove the three 13mm bolts that hold the ball joint in place
- Pull the ball joint out of the control arm
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step 4 :Attaching the Ball Joint to the New Control Arm
- Put the new ball joint into place on the control arm
- Put the ball joint bracket into place
- Thread the 13mm bolts through from the bottom
- Tighten the 13mm bolts to 40 foot-pounds of torque
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step 5 :Installing the Lower Control Arm
- Push the control arm into place
- Tap it into place with a hammer if necessary
- Push the 18mm bolts and associated nuts into place
- Push the ball joint into the wheel knuckle
- Put the 19mm nut onto the ball joint
- Tighten the 19mm nut
- Tighten the 18mm bolts to 70 foot-pounds
- Insert the 16mm bolt into the sway bar link
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step 6 :Reattaching the Wheel
- Slide the wheel into place
- Start the lug nuts by hand
- Tighten the lug nuts preliminarily
- Lower the vehicle to the ground
- Tighten the lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds in a crossing or star pattern
- Reattach the lug nut caps
Tools needed
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Hammer
18mm Wrench
16mm Socket
17mm Socket
Jack Stands
19mm Wrench
18mm Socket
Floor Jack
7mm Allen Wrench
13mm Wrench
Brought to you by 1AAuto.com, your source for quality replacement parts and the best service on the Internet.
Hi, I'm Don from 1A Auto. I hope this how-to video helps you out, and next time you need parts for your vehicle, think of 1AAuto.com. Thanks.
In this video, we're going to show you how to replace the lower control arm on this 2004 Volkswagen Jetta. We show you on the passenger side, but the driver's side is a similar procedure. The items you'll need for this is a new front lower control arm from 1AAuto.com; 16, 17, and 18 millimeter sockets and ratchet; 13 millimeter and 18 millimeter wrenches; 7 millimeter Allen bit; locking pliers; torque wrench; jack and jack stands; and a hammer.
Start off by using a 7mm Allen bit, and just prying out these lug nut caps. We'll fast forwards as he does the rest of those. You'll notice that this lug nut is a little different than the others. You're going to need a key to remove it, and that key can be found right here next to your jack stand in your truck. You can just push it into that lug nut, and now it removes just like a regular lug nut. If you don't have the benefit of air power tools, then loosen up the lug nuts while the vehicle is on the ground. Raise and support the vehicle and them remove them the rest of the way. Once the lug nuts are removed, the wheel will pull right off.
Your lower control arm is located right here, and you want to start off by removing these two 18mm bolts. You're going to see on the first one we use a socket and ratchet and a piece of pipe for some extra leverage to get it going. For this bolt, you're going to need both hands to remove, so first just break it free. Then you're going to want to put an 18mm wrench on the top of it. Then use your socket and ratchet for the bolt itself. We'll just fast forward as Don does this. Next, remove this 16mm bolt in your sway bar link. At the top of this ball joint there's a 13mm nut, and you want to go ahead and remove that. To do that, you want to put some locking pliers in between the gasket on the ball joint and the wheel knuckle. Using a 13mm wrench remove the nut at the top. We'll just fast forward as Don does this. Once that's removed just pull the wheel away, and then pull the control arm down and out. Next, remove these three 13mm bolts that hold the ball joint in place. Once you've removed the last one, your ball joint will pull free.
On the left is your old control arm, on the right is the new one from 1A Auto. You can see they're identical and they're going to fit exactly the same. Now, you would take your old ball joint and push it into your new control arm, but we're just going to replace our ball joint with a new one. Then you just put it into your control arm, put this bracket right here, and then start twisting in your bolts from the other side. We'll fast forward as Don tightens those up.
Push the lower control arm back into place. You may need a hammer to help push it back. Then put one of your bolts in, and if doesn't fit, hammer it back a little further. Push the bolt in all the way, and then put the nut on the other side of it. Just make sure the other side lines up, push that bolt back into place. Now you can line up your ball joint and push that up into the wheel knuckle. Then just replace that nut at the top of the ball joint. We'll fast forward as Don tightens up those two bolts and that nut at the top of the ball joint. The nut on our new ball joint was 19mm. Now torque those two 18mm bolts to 70 foot pound. Replace that 16mm bolt and your sway bar link, and tighten it up. Push the wheel back into place and line up the holes for the lug bolts. Then replace the lug bolts. If you don't have air powered tools, you want to tighten these preliminarily, lower the vehicle and then tighten them the rest of the way. Then lower the vehicle and torque each lug nut to 100 foot pounds in a crossing pattern. Replace your lug nut caps and you're all set.
We hope this video helps you out. Brought to you by www.1AAuto.com, your source for quality replacement parts and the best service on the Internet. Please feel free to call us toll-free, 888-844-3393. We're the company that's here for you on the Internet and in person.
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