GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

General Description SOHC Engine

The front suspension for this vehicle is a combination knuckle/strut and spring design.

The control arms pivot from the body. The lower control arm pivots use rubber bushings. The upper end of the strut is isolated by a rubber mount and contains a bearing to allow the wheel to turn.

The lower end of the steering knuckle pivots on a ball joint bolted to the control arm. The ball joint is fastened to the steering knuckle with a nut, and to the lower control arm with rivets.

When servicing the control arm-to-body attachment and the stabilizer shaft-to-body insulators, make sure the attaching bolts are loose until the control arms are moved to the trim height, which is curb height. Trim height is the normal position to which the control arms move when the vehicle is sitting on the ground.

General Description DOHC Engine

The front suspension for this vehicle is a combination knuckle/strut and spring design.

The control arms pivot from the body. The lower control arm pivots use rubber bushings. The upper end of the strut is isolated by a rubber mount and contains a bearing to allow the wheel to turn.

The lower end of the steering knuckle pivots on a ball joint bolted to the control arm. The ball joint is fastened to the steering knuckle with a nut, and to the lower control arm with rivets.

When servicing the control arm-to-body attachment and the stabilizer shaft-to-body insulators, make sure that the attaching bolts are loose until the control arms are moved to the trim height, which is curb height. Trim height is the normal position to which the control arms move when the vehicle is sitting on the ground.

The springs in the front suspension DOHC engine are stronger and the shocks are heavier than are the springs and shocks in the front suspension SOHC engine.