GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

    • J 33432-A Transverse Spring Compressor
    • J 42188 Ball Joint Separator

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.

  3. Object Number: 200316  Size: SH
  4. Measure the spring stud height (1) before removing the transverse spring mounting bolt.

  5. Object Number: 65323  Size: SH
  6. Install J 33432-A to the spring.
  7. Compress the spring.

  8. Object Number: 65327  Size: SH
  9. Remove the nuts, bolts (2), and insulators retaining the transverse spring to the lower control arm.
  10. Remove the transverse spring from the control arm.

  11. Object Number: 65329  Size: SH
  12. Support the lower control arm with a jack stand.
  13. Disconnect the shock absorber from the lower control arm.
  14. Important: The ball joint must be prevented from rotating. Use a TORX® inserted into the top of the ball stud while removing the ball stud nut.

  15. Loosen, but do not remove the upper ball joint stud nut.
  16. Use the J 42188 in order to separate the upper ball joint stud from the suspension knuckle.
  17. Remove the J 42188 and the upper ball joint stud nut from the suspension knuckle.
  18. Remove the nut from the wheel drive shaft on the suspension knuckle.

  19. Object Number: 171212  Size: SH
  20. Loosen, but do not remove the lower ball joint stud nut.
  21. Separate the lower ball joint stud from the suspension knuckle using J 42188 .
  22. Remove J 42188 and the lower ball joint stud nut from the suspension knuckle.

  23. Object Number: 65328  Size: SH
  24. Remove the stabilizer shaft link from the lower control arm.

  25. Object Number: 65320  Size: SH
  26. Mark the position of, and then remove the cam bolts, washers, and nuts retaining the control arm to the crossmember.
  27. Remove the jack stand.
  28. Remove the lower control arm from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 65320  Size: SH
  1. Install the lower control arm to the vehicle.
  2. Support the lower control arm with a jack stand.
  3. Install the cam bolts, washers, and nuts retaining the lower control arm to crossmember.
  4. 3.1. Place the cam bolts at the position marked during removal.
    3.2. Due to a required wheel alignment, tighten the cam bolts but do not set them to the final torque specification at this time.

    Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 171212  Size: SH
  5. Install the lower control arm ball joint stud into the suspension knuckle.
  6. It may be necessary to use an allen wrench to keep the ball joint stud from spinning while tightening the ball joint stud nut.

    Tighten
    Tighten the lower control arm ball joint stud nut to 30 N·m (20 lb ft) plus 180 degrees.


    Object Number: 65328  Size: SH
  7. Install the stabilizer shaft link to control arm.
  8. Tighten
    Tighten the stabilizer shaft link nuts to 72 N·m (53 lb ft).


    Object Number: 65329  Size: SH
  9. Install the shock absorber to the lower control arm.
  10. Tighten
    Tighten the shock absorber lower mounting bolt to 220 N·m (162 lb ft).


    Object Number: 65327  Size: SH
  11. Install the transverse spring (1) to the lower control arm.
  12. Install the transverse spring insulators and mounting bolts (2).

  13. Object Number: 200316  Size: SH
  14. Remove the jack stand.
  15. Set the transverse spring stud height (1) to the height measured during removal.
  16. Release and remove J 33432-A from the transverse spring.
  17. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  18. Perform a rear wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement in Wheel Alignment.
  19. Tighten

        • Tighten the lower control arm (front) cam bolt to 145 N·m (107 lb ft).
        • Tighten the lower control arm (rear) cam bolt to 95 N·m (70 lb ft).