Need help figuring out how to get the front bearings off a front lower control arm on bronco sport big bend 2024

[dirtygrunt]

Howdy everyone,

First off want to say the bronco sport big bend is the best compact suv for light off roading and it being your first vehicle.

Anyways, I hit a curb and now the bearing in the rear lower control arm is destroyed. So I decide to be a responsible car owner and try to replace the entire control arm by myself. I have done a couple of mechanical works here and there and I always follow the manufactures or expert advice. and if given advice I ensure to learn more about it. Anyways as I removed the lower ball joint, and rear bearing I hit a wall and saw a subframe bracket shield covering the bolt head or nut I need to screw off. I then remover the outer tire rod end, and the sway bar to give me some more room.

really bummed out I was moving along so well and get stuck on something like this.

Does anybody by chance know how to take off the front bearing of the Lower control arm that is cover by the shield for the subframe brakes that cover the "ears" of the subframe where the front bearing is clamped in a bronco sport.

 

[Quashish]

that looks very much captive, which is strange. i don't see how you can get to the through bolt that secures that LCA through that bushing. you would need to hold one end and loosen the other. looks like they put the LCA in and kept welding the sub frame around it.

 

[Stircrazy]

you are talking about a Bushing, not a berring ... right?

I had to do this in my fusion, but you are going to have to undo that end of the subfram so it drops a bit and gives you access

 

[Dude]

Hey @dirtygrunt, I provided the prompt below to ChatGPT to see if ChatGPT had any useful info

generally whatever comes out of ChatGPT I would carefully cross check before using any of ChatGPTs info

Maybe the response will be of some use to you

front lower control arm (LCA) on Bronco Sport (LH and RH) — part number for driver side is given as LX6Z‑3079‑G

Perhaps someone in this Forum will post the PDF of this section for you:
Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures in Section 204‑01.

Note that the response below includes info from your post on the forum and appears to also include the Quashish post above as well so that’s not so helpful that ChatGPT found and adjusted its response

ChatGPT Prompt:
Do you have access to 2021 to 2024 Bronco Sport repair manuals specifically to replace the driver side lower front control arm. The horizontal bushing is covered by a shield bracket. Do you know if there is any way to remove this shield bracket? This is not the full-size Bronco - the question today is for Bronco Sport.

Response:

Good questions. I tried to dig into publicly available info for Ford Bronco Sport (2021‑2024) and whether there’s a “shield bracket” over the driver‑side lower front control arm (LCA) horizontal bushing — and whether that bracket can be removed to replace the control arm / bushing. What I found — and where the gaps are — explained below.

What is known about Bronco Sport lower control arm and related service docs

• The front lower control arm (LCA) on Bronco Sport (LH and RH) — part number for driver side is given as LX6Z‑3079‑G.
• For control‑arm replacement or inspection (e.g. under the 2021 recall for some Bronco Sport LCAs) Ford refers to the “Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures in Section 204‑01.”
• According to typical control‑arm replacement cost sources, replacing front lower control arms (including bushings/ball joint) on 2021‑2024 Bronco Sport is considered an “intermediate DIY/repair” — but the job “will be more difficult” if the bushings need pressing in/out rather than being pre‑installed.
• There are aftermarket lift‑kit and suspension‑upgrade guides for 2021‑24 Bronco Sport that assume the LCA can be removed: for example an off‑road 1.5″ lift installation guide uses instructions to remove lower control arm bolts, lower shock bolt, and then remove the control arm — implying full access to the control arm without extraordinary disassembly.
• On a forum thread for 2024 Bronco Sport someone described exactly what you described: they say that when they removed the lower ball joint and rear bearing they “hit a wall” — a “subframe bracket shield” was covering the bolt head or nut needed to remove the LCA. The thread suggests that the bracket may be “captive” (i.e. built around the subframe so you can’t simply unbolt it independently) — at least according to one reply:

“that looks very much captive… i don’t see how you can get to the through bolt that secures that LCA through that bushing. you would need to hold one end and loosen the other. looks like they put the LCA in and kept welding the sub frame around it.”

So at least some Bronco Sport owners/DIYers believe there is a shield/bracket around the subframe or bushing bolt that complicates LCA removal.

What the public manuals do not confirm (or make clear) about a removable bracket or shield on the lower control arm bushing

• I was unable to locate any publicly available (free) copy of the WSM for 2021‑2024 Bronco Sport that shows a detailed diagram of a “shield bracket” over the lower control arm’s horizontal bushing. The excerpts of WSM procedures I found are for upper control arm removal — they mention “shield nut and shield” for the upper arm.
• The documented WSM procedure (from the public sample) is for 4WD “front suspension — upper arm.” It does not cover the lower control arm in that snippet.
• Because of that, I could not confirm that Ford officially calls that “shield bracket” over the lower bushing a removable item — as they do for the upper arm shield.

In other words: publicly‑available Ford service docs (that I saw) do not show a “remove bracket” step for the lower control arm bushing. The known “shield + nut + shield” step is for the upper control arm, according to the generic sample.

What this means for your particular question: Can the shield‑bracket over the lower‑arm bushing on Bronco Sport be removed?

• Because the only public WSM I found shows a shield on the upper control arm, and nothing on the lower control arm, there is no firm documentation — at least publicly — that a “shield bracket” covering the lower control arm horizontal bushing is meant to be removed.
• The forum thread suggests that at least for some 2024 Bronco Sports, the “shield” (subframe bracket) might be captive — i.e., welded/formed as part of the subframe, not a standalone bolt‑on shield.
• If indeed captive, that means you cannot simply unbolt it. To access the through bolt of the lower control arm you’d need to lower or drop part of the subframe (or at least loosen subframe mounting points) to gain access around the bracket — a more involved job than a typical control‑arm swap on vehicles whose bushings are exposed. Some DIYers report that’s exactly what was required.
• Because of this complexity — and since the OEM WSM is not publicly available to show definitive instructions — many shops will likely choose to replace the entire lower control arm assembly, rather than reuse the old arm and try to press out the bushings. This is consistent with how the LCA is listed in OEM parts catalogs (bushing + ball‑joint included).

Related Documented Resource (Video)

There is a YouTube video that demonstrates removing the stock suspension on 2021+ Broncos. While this may include Bronco Sport (since the platform is shared) — it might show what that “shield” looks like (or if it’s even present) when doing a full front suspension teardown.

 

[Dude]

And here is ChatGPT’s recommendation:

As stated above, ChatGPT’s response is altered due to what is read in your forum post

My Recommendation (Given What I Know)

• If you are planning to do this yourself, assume the worst: treat the “shield bracket” as likely captive — plan to drop or at least partially loosen the subframe to get enough clearance for the lower control arm through‑bolt.
• Don’t count on being able to just unbolt a shield as in upper‑arm removal.
• Given the complexity, cost, and the fact that OEM LCAs come as a complete assembly (with bushing and ball joint), many DIYers or shops will likely just swap out the full LCA rather than attempt bushing press‑in — safer, simpler, less labor.
• If you want to go further: consider purchasing a subscription to a full service manual database (e.g. the official factory WSM for Bronco Sport) — that will give you diagrams & torque specs to know exactly what you’re up against

If you like — I can try to track down a full 204‑01 WSM PDF for 2021‑2024 Bronco Sport (or at least check if it exists publicly online) and see exactly what the lower control arm / bushing area looks like (with or without a bracket).

Do you want me to attempt that now?

 

[cprcubed]

See if this helps (from 2022 Service Manual). Cheers!

 

[dirtygrunt]

you are talking about a Bushing, not a berring ... right?

I had to do this in my fusion, but you are going to have to undo that end of the subfram so it drops a bit and gives you access

wow, okay, that where I figured the direction I need to be going. The front

 

[dirtygrunt]

Hey @dirtygrunt, I provided the prompt below to ChatGPT to see if ChatGPT had any useful info

generally whatever comes out of ChatGPT I would carefully cross check before using any of ChatGPTs info

Maybe the response will be of some use to you

front lower control arm (LCA) on Bronco Sport (LH and RH) — part number for driver side is given as LX6Z‑3079‑G

Perhaps someone in this Forum will post the PDF of this section for you:
Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures in Section 204‑01.

Note that the response below includes info from your post on the forum and appears to also include the Quashish post above as well so that’s not so helpful that ChatGPT found and adjusted its response

ChatGPT Prompt:
Do you have access to 2021 to 2024 Bronco Sport repair manuals specifically to replace the driver side lower front control arm. The horizontal bushing is covered by a shield bracket. Do you know if there is any way to remove this shield bracket? This is not the full-size Bronco - the question today is for Bronco Sport.

Response:

Good questions. I tried to dig into publicly available info for Ford Bronco Sport (2021‑2024) and whether there’s a “shield bracket” over the driver‑side lower front control arm (LCA) horizontal bushing — and whether that bracket can be removed to replace the control arm / bushing. What I found — and where the gaps are — explained below.

What is known about Bronco Sport lower control arm and related service docs

• The front lower control arm (LCA) on Bronco Sport (LH and RH) — part number for driver side is given as LX6Z‑3079‑G.
• For control‑arm replacement or inspection (e.g. under the 2021 recall for some Bronco Sport LCAs) Ford refers to the “Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures in Section 204‑01.”
• According to typical control‑arm replacement cost sources, replacing front lower control arms (including bushings/ball joint) on 2021‑2024 Bronco Sport is considered an “intermediate DIY/repair” — but the job “will be more difficult” if the bushings need pressing in/out rather than being pre‑installed.
• There are aftermarket lift‑kit and suspension‑upgrade guides for 2021‑24 Bronco Sport that assume the LCA can be removed: for example an off‑road 1.5″ lift installation guide uses instructions to remove lower control arm bolts, lower shock bolt, and then remove the control arm — implying full access to the control arm without extraordinary disassembly.
• On a forum thread for 2024 Bronco Sport someone described exactly what you described: they say that when they removed the lower ball joint and rear bearing they “hit a wall” — a “subframe bracket shield” was covering the bolt head or nut needed to remove the LCA. The thread suggests that the bracket may be “captive” (i.e. built around the subframe so you can’t simply unbolt it independently) — at least according to one reply:

“that looks very much captive… i don’t see how you can get to the through bolt that secures that LCA through that bushing. you would need to hold one end and loosen the other. looks like they put the LCA in and kept welding the sub frame around it.”

So at least some Bronco Sport owners/DIYers believe there is a shield/bracket around the subframe or bushing bolt that complicates LCA removal.

What the public manuals do not confirm (or make clear) about a removable bracket or shield on the lower control arm bushing

• I was unable to locate any publicly available (free) copy of the WSM for 2021‑2024 Bronco Sport that shows a detailed diagram of a “shield bracket” over the lower control arm’s horizontal bushing. The excerpts of WSM procedures I found are for upper control arm removal — they mention “shield nut and shield” for the upper arm.
• The documented WSM procedure (from the public sample) is for 4WD “front suspension — upper arm.” It does not cover the lower control arm in that snippet.
• Because of that, I could not confirm that Ford officially calls that “shield bracket” over the lower bushing a removable item — as they do for the upper arm shield.

In other words: publicly‑available Ford service docs (that I saw) do not show a “remove bracket” step for the lower control arm bushing. The known “shield + nut + shield” step is for the upper control arm, according to the generic sample.

What this means for your particular question: Can the shield‑bracket over the lower‑arm bushing on Bronco Sport be removed?

• Because the only public WSM I found shows a shield on the upper control arm, and nothing on the lower control arm, there is no firm documentation — at least publicly — that a “shield bracket” covering the lower control arm horizontal bushing is meant to be removed.
• The forum thread suggests that at least for some 2024 Bronco Sports, the “shield” (subframe bracket) might be captive — i.e., welded/formed as part of the subframe, not a standalone bolt‑on shield.
• If indeed captive, that means you cannot simply unbolt it. To access the through bolt of the lower control arm you’d need to lower or drop part of the subframe (or at least loosen subframe mounting points) to gain access around the bracket — a more involved job than a typical control‑arm swap on vehicles whose bushings are exposed. Some DIYers report that’s exactly what was required.
• Because of this complexity — and since the OEM WSM is not publicly available to show definitive instructions — many shops will likely choose to replace the entire lower control arm assembly, rather than reuse the old arm and try to press out the bushings. This is consistent with how the LCA is listed in OEM parts catalogs (bushing + ball‑joint included).

Related Documented Resource (Video)

There is a YouTube video that demonstrates removing the stock suspension on 2021+ Broncos. While this may include Bronco Sport (since the platform is shared) — it might show what that “shield” looks like (or if it’s even present) when doing a full front suspension teardown.

wow thank you so much for going this in depth with my situation. Appreciate it brother. I have the WSM and the section of removing/install front control arm. To keep It short. Im basically disassemble my front bumper and dropping the subframe. However, the bolts that are unthreaded will need to be discarded and replaced.

It's been a while since I posted this and during that I found a video on YouTube that shows HRG installing a lift kit on bronco sport. In this video they remove the cross member bar that connects to opposite end of the from lower subframe extension arm. I think by removing that I will have more room.

 

[dirtygrunt]

And here is ChatGPT’s recommendation:

As stated above, ChatGPT’s response is altered due to what is read in your forum post

My Recommendation (Given What I Know)

• If you are planning to do this yourself, assume the worst: treat the “shield bracket” as likely captive — plan to drop or at least partially loosen the subframe to get enough clearance for the lower control arm through‑bolt.
• Don’t count on being able to just unbolt a shield as in upper‑arm removal.
• Given the complexity, cost, and the fact that OEM LCAs come as a complete assembly (with bushing and ball joint), many DIYers or shops will likely just swap out the full LCA rather than attempt bushing press‑in — safer, simpler, less labor.
• If you want to go further: consider purchasing a subscription to a full service manual database (e.g. the official factory WSM for Bronco Sport) — that will give you diagrams & torque specs to know exactly what you’re up against

If you like — I can try to track down a full 204‑01 WSM PDF for 2021‑2024 Bronco Sport (or at least check if it exists publicly online) and see exactly what the lower control arm / bushing area looks like (with or without a bracket).

Do you want me to attempt that now?

I am replacing the whole control arm. And no worries about the WSM I already own one. Im just very surprised that it takes an extensive dissaseble to replace that cruise part of suspension.

 

[dirtygrunt]

See if this helps (from 2022 Service Manual). Cheers!

that and yep this is the ridiculous way to go about it

 

[Stircrazy]

wow, okay, that where I figured the direction I need to be going. The front

ya I had to stare at it like I was dumb for about 20 min when I replaced the front suspension in my fusion, in the end I had to pull the front subframe connector bar out which was 6 bolts for the rear of the subframe, then I marked the location at each of the 4 main mounting bolts, took the rear ones out and losened the front ones and that allowed the rear to drop about 2 to 3 inches which allowed me to take the lower control arms out and replace them. then I took it for an alignment after I put it all back togeather.

 

[RSH]

How do you know the control arm rear bushing is bad, did you take it in for an alignment after your curb incident and that was the diagnosis.
Unfortunately there is some extra disassembly compared to an Escape that needs to be done to get to the front bolts of the control arms on the Sport and if having to basically lay on the ground to perform this task adds to the frustration. Good luck with your endeavour, hope you get it fixed soon.

 

[dirtygrunt]

How do you know the control arm rear bushing is bad, did you take it in for an alignment after your curb incident and that was the diagnosis.
Unfortunately there is some extra disassembly compared to an Escape that needs to be done to get to the front bolts of the control arms on the Sport and if having to basically lay on the ground to perform this task adds to the frustration. Good luck with your endeavour, hope you get it fixed soon.

yes, I went first to get a diagnosis and they concluded the tire rod (inner/outer), lower control arm, sway bar, sway bar link, and inner steering rod need to be replace.

I have the WSM for the Ford Bronco Sport and for suspension and alignment they recommend just replacing all these components. I won't go into depth why but I can see why they sent me invoice fro 2,000 dollars in parts alone. I checked those parts and they are charging me like way past MSRP.

 

[RSH]

Sounds like you need to rebuild one side of your Sports front suspension.
Even though you can buy Ford parts online at a decent discount, If getting your vehicle repaired at a Ford dealer they will charge full retail for parts as you have found out
Now you have a not much fun holiday project.

 

[dirtygrunt]

Sounds like you need to rebuild one side of your Sports front suspension.
Even though you can buy Ford parts online at a decent discount, If getting your vehicle repaired at a Ford dealer they will charge full retail for parts as you have found out
Now you have a not much fun holiday project.

you're telling me brother . ugh it is what it is ! will update how it went down !

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