GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2008 🢒 Captiva 🢒 Suspension 🢒 Suspension General Diagnosis 🢒 Coil Spring Replacement

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  2. Remove the rear tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .

    3. Object Number: 1768921 Size: SH

    Important: Hold the link with a wrench during nut removal.

  3. Remove the stabilizer link to lower control arm nut.

    4. Object Number: 1776972 Size: SH
  4. Remove the trailing arm bracket to underbody bolts.

    5. Object Number: 1768929 Size: SH

    Caution: To prevent personal injury and/or component damage, use the proper tools to support the lower control arm when removing the coil spring. The coil spring is under extreme pressure and can become a projectile should the spring separate from the lower control arm before all of the tension is relieved.

  5. Place a screw-type jack under the lower control arm.
  6. Using the jack, compress the coil spring.
  7. Remove the lower shock bolt.

    8. Object Number: 1768937 Size: SH
  8. Loosen the lower control arm to support frame bolt.

    9. Object Number: 1768905 Size: SH
  9. Remove the lower control arm to knuckle nut and bolt.
  10. Lower the control arm in order to unload the coil spring.
  11. Remove the coil spring and the insulators.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 1768946 Size: SH
  1. Fully seat the top and bottom insulators to the coil spring.
  2. Install the coil spring with the insulators to the lower control arm.
  3. Using the screw type jack under the lower control arm, compress the coil spring.

    4. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1768905 Size: SH
  4. Install the knuckle to the lower control arm.

    5. Tighten

        • Tighten the lower control arm to knuckle bolt to 160 N·m (118 lb ft).
        • Tighten the lower control arm to support nut and bolt.
        • Tighten the bolt to 110 N·m (81 lb ft).

    Object Number: 1768929 Size: SH
  5. Install the shock to the lower control arm.

    6. Tighten
    Tighten the lower shock bolt to 110 N·m (81 lb ft).

  6. Remove the jack.

    7. Object Number: 1768921 Size: SH

    Important: Hold the link with a wrench during nut installation.

  7. Install the stabilizer link to the lower control arm.

    8. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 15 N·m (11 lb ft).


    Object Number: 1776972 Size: SH
  8. Push the trailing arm upward in order to align the front bracket to body bolt.
  9. Use a drift in order to aid in bracket alignment.
  10. Install the bracket to body bolts.

    11. Tighten
    Tighten the bracket to body bolts to 110 N·m (81 lb ft).

  11. Install the rear tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  12. Lower the vehicle.
  13. Measure the wheel alignment. Adjust the alignment if necessary. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement .