GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2003 🢒 Blazer - 4WD - RHD 🢒 General Information 🢒 General Information 🢒 Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement

Removal Procedure

    Caution: Floor jack must remain under the lower control arm during removal and installation to retain the lower control arm in position. Failure to do so could result in personal injury.

  1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle with safety stands. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  3. Remove the wheel speed sensor wiring harness bracket and brake hose bracket mounting bolts and nuts.
  4. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor wiring harness bracket and brake hose bracket from the upper control arm.
  5. Remove the cotter pin from the upper ball joint stud.
  6. Remove the upper ball joint stud nut.
  7. Using a pry bar, placed under the upper control arm and on top of the frame, pry upward.
  8. With the aid of a helper, carefully hammer on the steering knuckle in the area of the upper ball joint stud in order to release the stud from the steering knuckle.

    9. Object Number: 1949 Size: SH
  9. Remove the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle.
    10. 9.1. Place a block under the upper control arm to keep the control arm and the steering knuckle out of the way.
    9.2. Suspend the steering knuckle to prevent straining the brake line.

    Object Number: 1832 Size: SH
  10. Remove the rivets from the upper ball joint.

    11. Use a 3.175 mm (1/8 in) drill to cut a 6.35 mm (¼ in) deep hole in the center of each rivet.


    Object Number: 1833 Size: SH
  11. Drill the rivet heads away using a 12.7 mm (½ in) drill.

    12. Object Number: 1834 Size: SH
  12. Remove the rivets using a pin punch.
  13. Remove the upper ball joint.

Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 177415 Size: SH
  1. Install the upper ball joint to the upper control arm.

    2. Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  2. Install the upper ball joint retaining bolts and the nuts.

    3. Tighten
    Tighten the upper ball joint retaining nuts to 23 N·m (17 lb ft).


    Object Number: 1986 Size: SH
  3. Install the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle.
  4. Install the upper ball joint to steering knuckle retaining nut.

    5. Tighten

        • Tighten the upper ball joint to steering knuckle retaining nut to 83 N·m (61 lb ft).
        • Tighten the upper ball joint to steering knuckle nut in order to align for the cotter pin. Do not tighten the nut more than 1/6 turn.
  5. Install the new cotter pin to the upper ball joint stud. Bend the pin ends against the nut.
  6. Connect the wheel speed sensor wiring harness bracket and brake hose bracket to upper control arm.
  7. Install the wheel speed sensor wiring harness bracket and brake hose bracket mounting bolts and nuts.

    8. Tighten
    Tighten the wheel speed sensor wiring harness bracket and brake hose bracket mounting nuts to 24 N·m (18 lb ft).

  8. Install the tire and the wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  9. Lower the vehicle.
  10. Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement in Wheel Alignment.