GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement AWD

Tools Required

J 36607 Ball Joint Separator

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 160827  Size: SH
  1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. 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.

  3. Support the lower control arm with a safety stand.
  4. Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.

  5. Object Number: 178929  Size: SH
  6. Remove the brake hose bracket from the upper control arm.

  7. Object Number: 188289  Size: SH
  8. Remove the speed sensor bracket from the upper control arm.

  9. Object Number: 344961  Size: SH
  10. Center punch rivets retaining the upper ball joint to the upper control arm. Use a 3.175 mm (1/8 in) drill bit to cut a 6.35 mm (¼ in) deep hole in the center of each rivet.

  11. Object Number: 344966  Size: SH
  12. Drill the rivet heads away using a 12.7 mm (½ in) drill bit.

  13. Object Number: 344961  Size: SH
  14. Using a pin punch, remove the rivets.

  15. Object Number: 689207  Size: SH
  16. Remove the cotter pin from the upper ball joint.
  17. Remove the upper ball joint retaining nut.

  18. Object Number: 130908  Size: SH
  19. Install the J 36607 to the upper ball joint and steering knuckle.
  20. Disconnect the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle using J 36607 .
  21. Pull the upper control arm away from the steering knuckle.
  22. Remove the upper ball joint.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 165012  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.

  3. Install the upper ball joint to the upper control arm mounting bolts and nuts.
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the upper ball joint to the upper control arm mounting nuts to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).


    Object Number: 188289  Size: SH
  5. Install the speed sensor bracket to the upper control arm mounting bolt and nut.
  6. Tighten
    Tighten the wheel sensor bracket to upper control arm mounting nut to 16 N·m (12 lb ft).


    Object Number: 178929  Size: SH
  7. Install the brake hose bracket to the upper control arm mounting bolt and nut.
  8. Tighten
    Tighten the brake hose bracket to upper control arm mounting nut to 16 N·m (12 lb ft).


    Object Number: 689207  Size: SH
  9. Connect the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle.
  10. Install the upper ball joint to steering knuckle retaining nut.
  11. Tighten
    Tighten the upper ball joint to steering knuckle retaining nut to 98 N·m (72 lb ft).

  12. Install a new cotter pin. Tighten the nut up to an additional 1/6 amount in order to insert the cotter pin through the upper ball joint stud. Bend the pin against the nut flats.
  13. Install the upper ball joint grease fitting.
  14. Using a grease gun, grease the upper ball joint until grease appears at the upper ball joint grease seal.
  15. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  16. Remove the safety stand from the lower control arm.
  17. Lower the vehicle.
  18. Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement in Wheel Alignment.

Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement RWD

Tools Required

J 23742 Ball Joint Separator

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 160827  Size: SH
  1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. 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.

  3. Support the lower control arm with a safety stand.
  4. Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.

  5. Object Number: 1949  Size: SH
  6. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor connector from the upper control arm.
  7. Remove the cotter pin and the upper ball joint retaining nut.

  8. Object Number: 130902  Size: SH
  9. Separate the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle using J 23742 .
  10. Apply pressure on the tool until the stud breaks loose.

  11. Remove J 23742 .
  12. Pull the steering knuckle free from the upper ball joint.
  13. Support the steering knuckle in order to prevent the steering knuckle weight from damaging the brake hose.

  14. Object Number: 1832  Size: SH
  15. Use a 3.175 mm (1/8 in) drill bit in order to cut 6.35 mm (¼ in) deep holes in the center of each rivet head.

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

  18. Object Number: 1834  Size: SH
  19. Using a small pin punch, punch out the rivets.
  20. Remove the upper ball joint from the upper control arm.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 164994  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.

  3. Install the upper ball joint to upper control arm mounting bolts and nuts.
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the upper ball joint to upper control arm mounting nuts to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).

  5. Remove the steering knuckle support.

  6. Object Number: 1949  Size: SH
  7. Connect the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle.
  8. Install the upper ball joint retaining nut.
  9. Tighten
    Tighten the upper ball joint retaining nut to 83 N·m (61 lb ft).

  10. Install a new cotter pin. Tighten the nut up to an additional 1/6 amount in order to insert the cotter pin through the upper ball joint stud. Bend the pin ends flat against the nut flats.
  11. Connect the wheel speed sensor connector.
  12. Install the upper ball joint grease fitting.
  13. Using a grease gun, grease the upper ball joint until grease appears at the upper ball joint grease seal.
  14. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  15. Remove the safety stands from the lower control arm.
  16. Lower the vehicle.
  17. Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement in Wheel Alignment.