GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Special Tools

    • J 45859 Axle Remover
    • J 43631 Ball Joint Remover

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 925269  Size: SH
  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
  2. Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  3. Remove the rear brake rotor. Refer to Rear Brake Rotor Replacement.
  4. Remove the wheel driveshaft nut and discard.

  5. Object Number: 767222  Size: SH
  6. Disconnect the antilock brake system (ABS) sensor harness connector.
  7. Disconnect the ABS sensor harness connector from the backing plate.

  8. Object Number: 925255  Size: SH
  9. Remove the parking brake cable bracket from the knuckle. Refer to Park Brake Cable Mounting Bracket Replacement.
  10. Remove the parking brake cable from the parking brake lever (3).

  11. Object Number: 802238  Size: SH
  12. Remove the upper ball joint mounting nut.

  13. Object Number: 802249  Size: SH
  14. Using J 43631 separate the ball stud from the knuckle.

  15. Object Number: 728904  Size: SH
  16. Support the lower control arm with a suitable jack.

  17. Object Number: 783074  Size: SH
  18. Remove the lower dampener mounting bolt.

  19. Object Number: 783092  Size: SH
  20. Remove the trailing arm to knuckle mounting bolt and nut.

  21. Object Number: 783094  Size: SH
  22. Remove the lower control arm to knuckle mounting bolt.

  23. Object Number: 783090  Size: SH
  24. Remove the adjustment link to knuckle mounting bolt.

  25. Object Number: 899220  Size: SH
  26. Install J 45859 or equivalent to the wheel bearing/hub.
  27. Note: May need to use the wheel hub remover to fully disengage the wheel bearing/hub from the drive axle.

  28. Using the J 45859 or equivalent, disengage the wheel drive shaft from the wheel bearing/hub.

  29. Object Number: 783031  Size: SH
  30. Remove the knuckle from the vehicle.
  31. Remove the wheel bearing/hub bolts.
  32. Remove the knuckle and backing plate from the wheel bearing/hub.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 783031  Size: SH
  1. Install the knuckle and backing plate to the wheel bearing/hub.
  2. Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

  3. Install the wheel bearing/hub mounting bolts.
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 116 N·m (85 lb ft).


    Object Number: 783090  Size: SH
  5. Install the knuckle to the vehicle.
  6. Note: Loosely install all fasteners before tightening.

  7. Install the adjustment link to knuckle mounting bolt.
  8. Tighten
    Tighten the adjustment link to knuckle bolt to 161 N·m (118 lb ft).


    Object Number: 783092  Size: SH
  9. Install the trailing arm to knuckle mounting bolt and nut.
  10. Tighten
    Tighten the trailing arm to knuckle bolt to 172 N·m (127 lb ft).


    Object Number: 783074  Size: SH
  11. Install the lower dampener and mounting bolt.
  12. Tighten
    Tighten the lower shock mounting bolt to 150 N·m (111 lb ft).


    Object Number: 783094  Size: SH
  13. Install the lower control arm to knuckle mounting bolt.
  14. Tighten
    Tighten the lower control arm to knuckle retaining bolt to 161 N·m (118 lb ft).


    Object Number: 802238  Size: SH
  15. Connect the upper ball joint to the knuckle.
  16. Install the upper ball joint mounting nut.
  17. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 66 N·m (48 lb ft).

  18. Install the parking brake cable bracket to the knuckle. Refer to Park Brake Cable Mounting Bracket Replacement.
  19. Remove the jack.

  20. Object Number: 767222  Size: SH
  21. Connect the ABS sensor electrical connector to the backing plate.
  22. Connect the ABS sensor electrical connector.

  23. Object Number: 925269  Size: SH
  24. Install a new wheel drive shaft nut.
  25. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 160 N·m (118 lb ft).

  26. Install the brake rotor. Refer to Rear Brake Rotor Replacement.
  27. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  28. Lower the vehicle.