GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J 41820 Ball Joint/Stud Separator

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Remove the rear wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  3. Inspect the rear ball joints. Refer to Ball Joint Inspection in Suspension General Diagnosis.
  4. Remove the brake caliper and support the brake caliper. Do not disconnect the brake hose. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
  5. Remove the brake caliper bracket. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Bracket Replacement in Disc Brakes.
  6. Remove the brake rotor.
  7. Remove the tie rod from the knuckle. Refer to Tie Rod Replacement .

  8. Object Number: 629209  Size: SH
  9. Disconnect the stabilizer shaft link at the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
  10. Disconnect the drive axle from the wheel bearing/hub. Refer to Rear Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Wheel Drive Shafts.
  11. Remove the park brake shoe. Refer to Parking Brake Shoe Replacement in Park Brake.
  12. Remove the park brake actuator. Refer to Parking Brake Actuator Replacement in Park Brake.
  13. Position the park brake cable and the park brake cable bracket aside.
  14. Remove the wheel bearing and the backing plate. Refer to Rear Wheel Bearing and Hub Replacement .

  15. Object Number: 629521  Size: SH
  16. Use a utility stand in order to support the lower control arm.
  17. Disconnect the height sensor link from the lower control arm as necessary.
  18. Disconnect the shock absorber from the lower control arm. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement .

  19. Object Number: 629210  Size: SH
  20. Disconnect the upper control arm from the knuckle. Refer to Rear Axle Upper Control Arm Replacement .

  21. Object Number: 629211  Size: SH
  22. Using the J 41820 , disconnect the lower ball joint from the knuckle.
  23. Remove the knuckle. Refer to Knuckle Replacement .
  24. Remove the wheel speed sensor connector bracket from the knuckle.

Installation Procedure

  1. Install the wheel speed sensor connector bracket to the knuckle.
  2. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  3. Install the wheel speed sensor connector bracket bolt and nut.
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the wheel speed sensor bracket nut to 12 N·m (106 lb in).

  5. Install the knuckle. Refer to Knuckle Replacement .

  6. Object Number: 629211  Size: SH
  7. Connect the lower ball joint to the knuckle.
  8. Tighten
    Tighten the ball joint nut to 60 N·m (44 lb ft).


    Object Number: 629210  Size: SH
  9. Connect the upper control arm to the knuckle. Refer to Rear Axle Upper Control Arm Replacement .
  10. Connect the shock absorber to the lower control arm. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement .
  11. Connect the height sensor link to the lower control arm as necessary.
  12. Install the backing plate and the wheel bearing. Refer to Rear Wheel Bearing and Hub Replacement .
  13. Important: Install the park brake cable end to the park brake actuator lever before you install the park brake actuator bolts.

  14. Install the park brake actuator. Refer to Parking Brake Actuator Replacement in Park Brake.
  15. Install the park brake shoe. Refer to Parking Brake Shoe Replacement in Park Brake.
  16. Connect the drive axle to the wheel bearing/hub. Refer to Rear Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Wheel Drive Shafts.

  17. Object Number: 629209  Size: SH
  18. Install the stabilizer shaft link to the lower control arm . Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
  19. Install the tie rod to the knuckle. Refer to Tie Rod Replacement .
  20. Install the brake rotor.
  21. Install the brake caliper bracket. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Bracket Replacement in Disc Brakes.
  22. Install the brake caliper. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
  23. Install the rear wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  24. Lower the vehicle.