By 2005, the Ford Focus had entered its sixth model year. Introduced in 1999 in North America as a 2000 model, the Focus underwent few year-to-year changes. The Focus is a front-wheel drive car that utilizes front suspension control arms suspended by McPherson struts. Although a front control arm may last the life of the vehicle, damage from hitting curbs or minor fender benders may bend or deform the control arm, necessitating its replacement.
Chock the rear wheels. Slide a floor jack under the front cross member under the engine and transmission assembly. Loosen the front wheel lug nuts with a lug wrench. Raise the jack until both front wheels are off the ground. Place two jack stands under the cross member on either side of the jack. Lower the jack until the weight of the car rests on jack stands. Finish removing the lug nuts, and remove the wheels.
Spray penetrating fluid on the four control arm retaining bolts---one in front, two at the rear and one star-head bolt attaching the control arm to the wheel spindle---and allow it to soak in for several minutes.
Remove the three hex-head control arm bolts and nuts by placing a wrench on the bolt head and twisting the corresponding nut off with a socket and ratchet. Remove the star-head bolt on the spindle with a star T-50 wrench along with a socket and ratchet.
Pry the control arm pin out of the spindle with a pry bar to separate the control arm from the spindle. Use a hammer if the pin seems stubborn, but take care not to damage the control arm bushings.
Pry the control arm from its mounting bracket with a pry bar, and remove it from the front of the car.
Place the rear of the new control arm into its mounting bracket, then wedge the front of the control arm into its end of the bracket using a pry bar if necessary. Replace the front control arm mounting bolt and nut, but do not tighten it at this time.
Replace the control arm pin by tapping it into place with a hammer until it becomes fully seated. Push the shorter rear control arm bolt and nut into place, but do not tighten the nut. Replace the remaining rear control arm bolt and nut, and tighten it with a socket and ratchet. Tighten the other rear control arm bolt in the same fashion.
Tighten the front control arm bolt with a socket and ratchet. Replace the torx bolt that holds the control arm to the spindle and tighten it, as well. Tighten all four control arm bolts again. Repeat entire procedure to replace the control arm on the other side of the car.
Replace the wheels and lug nuts. Raise the floor jack, and slide the jack stands from under the car. Lower and remove the floor jack. Tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern.
