How do I properly install a lower control arm?

[Wret]

It can be difficult to get the tapered shaft of the ball joint to line up the hole in the wheel carier. I usually wrap a ratchet strap around the strut assembly to pull into alignment while applying jack pressure under the control arm/ball joint.

[Jjay71]

Just did mine with similar issues. Try loosening the two 15mm nuts directly under the control arm socket that go through the big aluminum brace underneath the engine and trans axle.

[steved0x]

Originally Posted by Jjay71

Just did mine with similar issues. Try loosening the two 15mm nuts directly under the control arm socket that go through the big aluminum brace underneath the engine and trans axle.

Agreed, this lets it slide right in. Don't forget to tighten it back

[Uwe]

Probably too late, but dont forget to mark the eccentric washer or bolt end before loosening it. There's an alignment factor to this and the rearmost control arm. Your problem was likely that the bushing is very tight in its frame part, and will only want to rotate e a very small amount while tightened, like others have pointed out. This bolt should get its final torque with the load of the car on it. Otherwise it will fight itself during suspension movements.