GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Lower Control Arm Replacement 2WD

Removal Procedure

Tools Required

J 23742 Ball Joint Separator

  1. Raise the vehicle.
  2. Support the vehicle with safety stands.
  3. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  4. Remove the hub and the rotor. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .
  5. Remove the cotter pin and the nut.
  6. Separate the ball joint using the J 23742 .
  7. Disconnect the control arm from the knuckle.
  8. Remove the coil spring. Refer to Front Coil Springs Replacement .

  9. Object Number: 156979  Size: SH
  10. Remove the nuts from the pivot bolts.
  11. Remove the pivot bolts from the lower control arm.
  12. Remove the lower control arm.
  13. Remove the bushings.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 156979  Size: SH
  1. Install the control arm bushings.
  2. Install the control arm to the frame.
  3. Important: The pivot bolts must be installed in the proper direction.

  4. Install the pivot bolts and the nuts.
  5. Install the coil spring. Refer to Front Coil Springs Replacement .
  6. Install the control arm to the steering knuckle.
  7. 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.

    Important: Tighten the nuts of the control arm at the proper Z height. Refer to Trim Height Inspection in Wheel Alignment.

  8. Install the ball joint stud nut.
  9. Tighten

        • Tighten the nuts to 165 N·m (121 lb ft).
        • Tighten the ball joint stud nut to 128 N·m (94 lb ft). Tighten the nut by aligning the slot in the stud nut with the hole in the stud.
  10. Install a new cotter pin.
  11. Install the hub and the rotor. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .
  12. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  13. Remove the safety stands.
  14. Lower the vehicle.

Lower Control Arm Replacement 4WD

Removal Procedure

Tools Required

    • J 24319-B Steering Linkage Puller
    • J 36202 Torsion Bar Loading/Unloading Tool
    • J 36607 Ball Joint Separator
    • J 36618 Lower Control Arm Bushing Service Set (Series 30)
    • J 9519-23 Ball Joint C-Clamp
  1. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle with suitable safety stands.
  2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  3. Unload the torsion bar using the J 36202 .
  4. 3.1. Mark the adjuster bolt for installation.
    3.2. Slide the bar forward in order to remove the adjuster arm.
    3.3. Remove the adjuster arm. Refer to Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement .

    Object Number: 156607  Size: SH
  5. Remove the outer axle shaft nut (2) and the washer (3) from the hub assembly (4).
  6. Remove the brake caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
  7. Remove the brake rotor. Refer to Brake Rotor Replacement in Disc Brakes.
  8. Remove the lower shock absorber bolt from the control arm. Compress the shock. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement .
  9. Using the J 24319-B , disconnect the inner tie rod end from the relay rod.
  10. Support the lower control arm with a jack.
  11. Remove the stabilizer link from the control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement .
  12. Remove the halfshaft assembly (5). Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Wheel Drive Shafts.

  13. Object Number: 157043  Size: SH
  14. Remove the cotter pin and the nut from the upper ball joint.
  15. Using the J 36607 , disconnect the upper ball joint from the knuckle.

  16. Object Number: 156934  Size: MH
  17. Remove the lower control arm nuts and the washers.
  18. Remove the bolts.
  19. Remove the lower control arm and the knuckle as a unit.
  20. Remove the front bushing.
  21. 17.1. Using a punch, unbend the crimps.
    17.2. Remove the bushing using J 36618-2, J 9519-23, J 36618-4, and J 36618-1.
  22. Remove the rear bushing (no crimp).
  23. 18.1. Removing the bushing using J 36618-5, J 36618-3, J 36618-2, and J 9519-23.
    18.2. If the bushings on the K1 and K2 vehicles are worn or damaged, replace the lower control arm.

Installation Procedure

  1. Using the J 36618 and the J 9519-23 , install the front bushing.
  2. • This applies to the K3 vehicle only.
    • After installing the bushing, crimp the bushing in place.
  3. Using the J 36618 and the J 9519-23 , install the rear bushing.

  4. Object Number: 156934  Size: MH
  5. Install the lower control arm and the knuckle assembly to the crossmember and the frame bracket. Install the front leg of the lower control arm into the crossmember before installing the rear leg into the frame bracket.
  6. Install the bolts in the direction shown.
  7. 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.

    Important: Tighten the nuts with the control arm at the proper Z height. Refer to Trim Height Inspection in Suspension General Diagnosis.

    Tighten the front nut prior to tightening the rear nut.

  8. Install the new nuts.
  9. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 165 N·m (121 lb ft).

  10. Prelube the steering knuckle seal.
  11. Start the drive axle through the hub.

  12. Object Number: 157043  Size: SH
  13. Connect the ball joint to the knuckle.
  14. Install the ball joint nut.
  15. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 128 N·m (94 lb ft).

  16. Install the cotter pin. Bend the pin ends against the side of the nut.
  17. Install the torsion bar adjuster arm.
  18. 11.1. Slide the bar rearward in order to install the sides of the nut.
    11.2. Using the J 36202 , load the torsion bar.
    11.3. Install the adjuster bolt and screw the bolt down to the installation mark. Refer to Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement .

    Object Number: 156607  Size: SH
  19. Install the halfshaft assembly (5). Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Wheel Drive Shafts.
  20. Install the lower shock absorber bolt. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement .
  21. Install the stabilizer link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement .
  22. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  23. Lower the vehicle.