Control arm replacement question?

[Armynational]

I'm replacing both lower control arms on my 2011 ram 4x4. Do I have to remove the brake caliper in order to get the lower ball joint to clear when pulling it out? Or can I leave it in tact? I'm not trying to screw with my brakes at all. Thanks for the help!

 

[meedom]

Hopefully someone that's actually done the swap will chime in for you...

 

[muddy12]

I recently replaced the lower ball joints on my 2012 4x4, and the short answer is YES, you will have to unbolt the caliper, and secure it to the frame. You do not have to disconnect the brake fluid line though, so no need to bleed after reassembly.

With your truck being a 4x4, it is the CV axle shaft that prevents the lower ball joint brim being removed from the knuckle.

Step 1: remove the axle nut.
Step2: disconnect upper ball joint.
Step 3: loosen nut on lower ball joint, and make sure lower ball joint stud loose from knuckle.
Now for the fun part.
Step 4: while pulling the top of the knuckle out and down, work the cv shaft out of the wheel bearing.
Step 5: remove lower ball joint nut and remove the knuckle.

On the plus side, you can leave the rotors on.



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[RedSRT4Me]

I recently replaced the lower ball joints on my 2012 4x4, and the short answer is YES, you will have to unbolt the caliper, and secure it to the frame. You do not have to disconnect the brake fluid line though, so no need to bleed after reassembly.

With your truck being a 4x4, it is the CV axle shaft that prevents the lower ball joint brim being removed from the knuckle.

Step 1: remove the axle nut.
Step2: disconnect upper ball joint.
Step 3: loosen nut on lower ball joint, and make sure lower ball joint stud loose from knuckle.
Now for the fun part.
Step 4: while pulling the top of the knuckle out and down, work the cv shaft out of the wheel bearing.
Step 5: remove lower ball joint nut and remove the knuckle.

On the plus side, you can leave the rotors on.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I can confirm the brakes have to be removed from the bracket then just tuck the caliper out of the way.