Mitsubishi Montero (2002-2004). Manual - part 420

LOWER ARM

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FRONT SUSPENSION

33A-15

LOWER ARM

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

M1332001500129

CAUTION

To prevent bushings from breakage, the parts indicated by * should be temporarily tightened, and 
then fully tightened with the vehicle on the ground in the unladen condition.

Required Special Tool:

• MB991897: Ball Joint Remover

Pre-removal Operations
• Drive Shaft Removal (Refer to GROUP 26, Drive Shaft 

P.26-23

.)

Post-installation Operations
• Check the dust cover for cracks or damage by pushing it 

with your finger. 

• Drive Shaft Installation (Refer to GROUP 26, Drive Shaft 

P.26-23

.)

• Wheel Alignment Check and Adjustment (Refer to 

P.33A-

5

.)

ACX00724AB

123 

± 

14 N

·

m *

91 

± 

10 ft-lb *

108 

± 

10 N

·

m

80 

± 

7 ft-lb

147 

± 

29 N

·

m

109 

± 

21 ft-lb

162 

± 

14 N

·

m *

119 

± 

11 ft-lb *

25 

± 

4 N

·

m

18 

± 

3 ft-lb

123 

± 

14 N

·

m *

91 

± 

10 ft-lb *

95 

± 

11 N

·

m

70 

± 

8 ft-lb

11

9

5

3

2

1

6

4

7

8

10

1

5

39 

± 

4 N

·

m

29 

± 

3 ft-lb

N

N

REMOVAL STEPS

1. COTTER PIN

<<A>>

2. LOWER ARM BALL JOINT AND 

KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY 
CONNECTION

<<A>>

3. TIE ROD END AND KNUCKLE 

ASSEMBLY CONNECTION

4. UPPER ARM AND UPPER ARM 

BALL JOINT CONNECTION

5. LOWER ARM BALL JOINT
6. HUB AND KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY

7. SHOCK ABSORBER AND LOWER 

ARM ASSEMBLY CONNECTION

8. BUMP STOPPER
9. LOWER ARM ASSEMBLY AND 

STABILIZER LINK CONNECTION

<<B>>

10. LOWER ARM MOUNTING BOLT
11. LOWER ARM ASSEMBLY

REMOVAL STEPS (Continued)

LOWER ARM

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REMOVAL SERVICE POINTS

.

<<A>> TIE ROD END AND KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY/LOWER 
ARM BALL JOINT AND KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY DISCON-
NECTION

CAUTION

• Do not remove the nut from ball joint. Loosen it and use 

special tool MB991897 to avoid possible damage to ball 
joint threads.

• Hang special tool MB991897 with a cord to prevent it 

from falling. 

1. Install special tool MB991897 as shown in the figure.

2. Turn the bolt and knob as necessary to make the jaws of 

special tool MB991897 parallel, tighten the bolt by hand and 
confirm that the jaws are still parallel.
NOTE: When adjusting the jaws in parallel, make sure the 
knob is in the position shown in the figure.

3. Tighten the bolt with a wrench to disconnect the ball joint.

.

<<B>> LOWER ARM MOUNTING BOLT REMOVAL
After making the alignment mark on the bracket and eccentric 
cam bolt, remove them.

INSPECTION

M1332002900056

• Check the bushing for wear and deterioration.

• Check the lower arm for bend or breakage. 

• Check the lower arm for deterioration or damage. 

• Check all bolts for condition and straightness.

.

AC106820 AB

CORD

BOLT

MB991897

NUT

BALL JOINT

AC106821

KNOB

PARALLEL

BOLT

GOOD

BAD

AB

ACX00725AB

ECCENTRIC 
CAM BOLT

LOWER ARM

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LOWER ARM BALL JOINT TURNING TORQUE CHECK

Required Special Tool:

• MB990326: Preload Socket

1. After shaking the ball joint stud several times, use special 

tool MB990326 to measure the turning torque of the lower 
ball joint.

Standard value: 1.0 

− 6.9 N⋅m (9 − 61 in-lb)

2. If the measured value exceeds the standard value, replace 

the lower arm ball joint.

3. If the measured value is lower than the standard value, 

measure the lower arm ball joint end play with a dial 
indicator.

4. If the end play exceeds a minimum scale of the dial indicator 

[0.01 mm (0.0004 inch)], replace the lower arm ball joint.

.

LOWER ARM BALL JOINT DUST COVER CHECK
1. Press the dust cover with your finger to check that there are 

no cracks or damage in the dust cover.

2. If the dust cover is cracked or damaged, replace the lower 

arm ball joint assembly.
NOTE: If the dust cover is cracked or damaged, it is possible 
that there may also be damage to the ball joint. If it is dam-
aged during service work, replace the dust cover.

BALL JOINT DUST COVER REPLACEMENT

M1332007800032

Required Special Tool:

• MB990799: Ball Joint Remover and Installer

CAUTION

Do not apply grease to the place (tapered section) where 
the threaded section of the ball joint connects with the 
knuckle. Wipe the grease off if it is applied in this area. To 
prevent the grease from being applied to the ball joint con-
nection (taper) with knuckle, do not compress the dust 
cover before installation.
If the dust cover is damaged accidentally during service work, 
replace the dust cover as follows:
1. Remove the clip ring, and then remove the dust cover.

AC200959 AB

MB990326

AC005012

STABILIZER BAR

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33A-18

2. Apply multipurpose grease to the inside of the dust cover as 

shown.

3. Apply multipurpose grease to the shown parts inside the 

dust cover and the ball joint stud.

4. Wrap plastic tape around the lower arm ball joint stud, and 

then install the dust cover to the lower arm ball joint.

5. Using special tool MB990799, drive the dust cover into the 

position shown in the illustration.

6. Press the dust cover with your finger to check that there are 

no cracks or damage in the dust cover.

STABILIZER BAR

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

M1332004000178

ACX00726 AB

30 mm
(1.18 in) 
OR MORE

ACX00727 AB

MB990799

DUST
COVER

Pre-removal Operations
• Under Cover Removal

Pre-installation Operation
• Press the dust cover with your finger to check that there 

are no cracks or damage in the dust cover.

• Under Cover Installation

ACX00728 AB

44 

± 

10 N

·

m

33 

±

 7 ft-lb

4

2

3

1

1

108 

± 

10 N

·

m

80 

± 

7 ft-lb

108 

± 

10 N

·

m

80 

± 

7 ft-lb