An excessively worn control arm bushing can lead to damage to other suspension components, as the bushing softens the contact between the control arm and vehicle frame. On a 2002 Pontiac Grand Am, a hydraulic press is needed to replace the control arm bushings. However, the entire control arm can be replaced without the need of a hydraulic press or having to visit a machine shop that has a hydraulic press.
Raise the front of the vehicle with a vehicle jack. Place jack stands under the frame rails on each side of the vehicle to secure it while changing the control arm bushing.
Remove the lug nuts with a socket wrench. Pull the tire off of the wheel studs.
Disconnect the stabilizer bar from the control arm, unscrewing the retaining bolt with a socket wrench.
Remove the cotter pin on the end of the balljoint with pliers. Loosen the nut on the end of the balljoint stud. Attach a balljoint separator to the balljoint and detach the balljoint from the steering knuckle.
Remove the nut from the end of the balljoint stud. Push the balljoint stud through the end of the steering knuckle.
Remove the front control arm pivot bolt and rear vertical bushing bolt with a socket wrench. Pull the control arm from the vehicle.
Press out the old bushing with a hydraulic press. Press in the new bushing with a hydraulic press. If a hydraulic press isn't accessible, take the control arm and new bushing to a machine shop. Most machine shops can replace the bushings for a small fee.
Place the control arm in position and install the front control arm pivot bolt and rear vertical bushing bolt with a torque wrench. Tighten the front control arm bolt to 50 foot-pounds and the rear vertical bushing bolt to 78 foot-pounds.
Push the balljoint stud through the steering knuckle. Install the retaining nut on the end of the balljoint stud with a torque wrench, tightening the bolts to 41 foot-pounds. Push the cotter pin into the hole near the end of the balljoint stud.
Attach the stabilizer bar to the control arm, installing the retaining bolt with a torque wrench. Tighten the bolt to 49 foot-pounds.
Place the tire back onto the wheel studs. Tighten the lug nuts with a torque wrench to 100 foot-pounds.
Remove the jack stands from under the vehicle. Lower the vehicle with the vehicle jack.
