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Home Blog How To Replace Toyota Tacoma Suspension Control Arms

How To Replace Toyota Tacoma Suspension Control Arms

Toyota Tacoma control arms can endure substantial wear and tear throughout their lifespan. Over time, the control arm and the attached ball joints and bushings can weaken or deteriorate. The longevity of your control arms depends on factors like mileage and the conditions in which your Tacoma operates. If you’re uncertain about the condition of your control arms, check out this post on how to diagnose a failing control arm. 

Perhaps you are replacing control arms that are worn. You may also be upgrading to the popular TRD control arms (find TRD upper control arms here: left | right ) for better appearance or off-road performance. Either way, you can performing this install yourself. All you need is a little automotive repair experience and the necessary tools. Here are the basic steps for control arm replacement on a Toyota Tacoma. Keep in mind that these are the most basic repair steps. Please consult a vehicle-specific repair manual for more detailed instructions, including torque specifications.

Tools And Supplies Needed

  • New control arm
  • Replacement nuts and bolts, as needed.
  • Floor jacks, jack stands and wheel chocks
  • Pry bar/breaker bar
  • Dead blow hammer
  • Pickle fork
  • Ratchets, sockets and wrenches/torque wrenches/lug wrenches
  • Needle-nose pliers/side cutting  pliers
  • Wire brush
  • Penetrating oil

Suspension Control Arm Replacement

Vehicle Preparation

  1. Park the truck on a flat surface, set the parking brake and chock the wheels to prevent vehicle movement.
  2. Verify that the automatic transmission is in park or the manual transmission is locked in gear.
  3. Use a lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the front wheel. (Wait to remove the lug nuts completely.)
  4. Use a floor jack to lift the front of the truck and support it with jack stands.
  5. Remove the front tire and wheel assembly.

Removing The Control Arm

  1. Locate the upper control arm connecting the top of the steering knuckle to the truck frame.
  2. Apply penetrating oil to any bolts that appear rusted or difficult to remove. Loosen the bolts connecting the upper control arm to the frame. (Wait to remove the lug nuts completely.)
  3. Remove the brake line bracket and sway bar link from the steering knuckle.
  4. Remove the cotter pin from the castle nut on the upper ball joint.
  5. Loosen the ball joint nut to the end of the stud with a wrench.
  6. Separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle with a pickle fork. You can also use a pry bar by applying downward pressure between the axle and the ball joint nut. Remove the castle nut from the ball joint stud.
  7. Remove the nuts and bolts securing the upper control arm to the frame. Note the positions (or take a photo) of the nuts and bolts to ensure you reinstall them correctly.

Installing The New Control Arm

  1. Clean rust and debris from the steering knuckle and lower control arm mounting points with a wire brush.
  2. Position the new control arm in the frame and steering knuckle.
  3. Loosely install the ball joint castle nut and control arm mounting nuts.
  4. Reconnect the brake line bracket and sway bar link as needed.
  5. Tighten the frame mounting nuts and bolts on the control arm. 
  6. Tighten the ball joint castle nut and install a new cotter pin.
  7. Reinstall the tire and wheel assembly.
  8. Torque wheel lug nuts to specification.
  9. Test drive the vehicle to verify the repairs.

Important Tips

  • Always follow safety precautions, including eye protection.
  • Vehicle age and corrosion may increase the difficulty of the repair or require additional replacement parts.
  • Take pictures as you work to document how to reinstall the parts.
  • Keep parts and fasteners organized to ensure they go back in the correct location.
  • Learn more about suspension control arms and why they are important.

OEM Toyota control arms include a minimum 12-month warranty from the date of purchase. Learn more in our Toyota Control Arm Buyer's Guide (*link needed, new post). If you have questions about ordering new control arms for your Toyota Tacoma, email us or give us a call. 

Genuine OEM Control Arms From Olathe Toyota Parts Center 

  • We have a large selection of control arms for your Toyota vehicle.
  • Centrally located in Kansas City, we provide fast shipping to the east and west coasts.
  • All OEM parts are backed by the standard Toyota 12-month, unlimited miles warranty

Do you have questions? We’re here to help. Please feel free to contact us!