Q: How to Maintain the Rear Suspension's Upper Control Arm on 2002 Chrysler Sebring?
A: Raise the car and then take away both wheels and tires from the back. Separate the shock absorber clevis bracket from the rear knuckle, take out the muffler support bracket from the rear rail and remove the rear exhaust pipe hanger bracket from the suspension crossmember to let the exhaust system drop down. If antilock brakes are fitted, pull off the routing clips and remove the bolts and heads of the wheel speed sensor cable, from both rear knuckles. After removing both rear disc brake calipers, hang them where they won't touch the brake hoses. Remove the brake tubing from the clamps fixed to the crossmember. On that side, unfasten the ball joint by releasing the nut until it lines up with the stud end, then pull it away using Puller, Special Tool, CT-1106. After releasing the ball joint nut, put a transmission jack with a wooden block under the crossmember, take off the four bolts joining the rails to the crossmember and avoid putting stress on the rear brake flex hoses. First, put the crossmember down to reach the upper control arm pivot bar bolts, then remove the bolts holding the upper control arm to the crossmember and get the control arm out. To remove a ball joint, hold the control arm with Special Tool 6758, the receiving cup and press it out using Special Tool 6804 and the arbor press. If the control arm is broken or bent, it can't be fixed and needs to be replaced. There are just two items that work: the rear upper ball joint and its seal. Put the ball joint assembly into the control arm hole so it doesn't twist or lean and push until the gap between the lip and control arm surface is 3 mm. Mount the control arm by fitting the pivot bar into the holes in the crossmember and tightening the pivot bolt to 108 Nm (80 ft. lbs.). Support the rear suspension crossmember and screw in the four bolts loosely, then move the crossmember with a drift before tightening each bolt to 108 Nm (80 ft. lbs.), With the jack off the car, put the upper ball joint stud into the knuckle and tighten the nut to 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.). Work the brake tubing back into place and fit the brake calipers at the rear and if your vehicle uses antilock brakes, also attach the sensor heads and their clips before tightening the bolts to 8 Nm (75 inch lbs.). Install the muffler support bracket, the rear exhaust pipe hanger and shock absorber clevis brackets, then tighten the shock absorber bolts to 95 Nm or 70 ft. lbs. After removing the wraps, install the wheel and tire assembly, making sure the nuts are tightened progressively to 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.), next lower the vehicle and be sure to check that the rear wheel camber and toe are correct.