GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Removal Procedure

Tools Required

    • J 34013-B Strut Spring Compressor
    • J 34013-114 Modular Shock Compressor Adapter
    • J 34013-88 Strut Compressor Adapter
    • J 39642 Modular Shock Nut Removal Set, 15 mm (0.60 in)
    • J 34013-115 Modular Alignment Rod
  1. Remove the driver-side brake master cylinder nuts. Refer to Master Cylinder Replacement in Hydraulic Brakes.
  2. Move the brake master cylinder aside (driver-side only). Refer to Master Cylinder Replacement in Hydraulic Brakes.

  3. Object Number: 181083  Size: LH
  4. Remove the bolts/screws (18) and the nuts (17).
  5. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  6. Remove the special security wheel lock nut, if equipped. Use the special security wheel lock key which is located in the front floor console.
  7. Remove the tire and the wheel. Refer to Wheel Removal in Tires and Wheels.
  8. Remove the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
  9. Remove the lower shock absorber bracket mounting nuts (3).
  10. Remove the lower shock absorber mounting bolts/screws (11).
  11. Separate the lower ball stud (10) from the steering knuckle (6). Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement .
  12. Important: Use chalk or paint in order to mark (do not scribe) the lower mount location relative to the upper mount location before removing the shock absorber.

  13. Remove the shock absorber (13) and the spring (14).

Disassembly Procedure

Tools Required

    • J 34013-B Strut Spring Compressor
    • J 34013-114 Modular Shock Compressor Adapter
    • J 34013-88 Strut Compressor Adapter
    • J 39642 Modular Shock Nut Removal Set, 15 mm (0.60 in)
    • J 34013-115 Modular Alignment Rod

    Object Number: 181087  Size: SH
  1. Install J 34013-114 and J 34013-B .

  2. Object Number: 181084  Size: MH
  3. Use wing nuts in order to secure the tool to mounting holes C-H (lower left corner) and P (upper right corner) for driver-side shock absorber, and to secure the tool to mounting holes A-X-P (upper left corner) and C-H (lower right corner) for the passenger-side shock absorber.

  4. Object Number: 181088  Size: SH

    Important: Ensure that J 34013-114 and J 34013-88 align so that these tools may open and close together. If J 34013-114 and J 34013-88 do not align properly, the tools will not open.

  5. Install J 34013-114 and J 34013-88
  6. Important: Ensure that the top of the shock absorber is flat against J 34013-114 . The shock absorber is not aligned correctly if the shock absorber does not lie flat against the tool.


    Object Number: 181089  Size: SH
  7. Install the driver side shock absorber (2) to the top of J 34013-114

  8. Object Number: 181090  Size: SH
  9. Install the passenger side shock absorber (2) to the top of J 34013-114 .

  10. Object Number: 181088  Size: SH
  11. Install the shock absorber (1) into J 34013-114 and J 34013-88 .
  12. Close J 34013-114 and J 34013-88 and install the locking pin.
  13. Important: Ensure that the mounting ears of the shock absorber are facing downward, toward the rear of J 34013-B or the shock absorber will not align properly.

  14. Turn the screw on J 34013-B counterclockwise in order to raise the shock absorber up to J 34013-114 . Ensure that the studs go through the guide holes in J 34013-114 , and that the top of the shock absorber is flat against the tool.
  15. Caution: Do not over compress the spring. Severe overloading may cause tool failure which could result in bodily injury.

  16. Compress the front spring approximately 13 mm (0.50 in) or three or four complete turns of the screw on J 34013-114 .
  17. Insert J 39642-1 on the shock absorber nut, then insert J 39642-2 through J 39642-1 in order to hold the shock absorber rod in place.
  18. Remove the shock absorber nut with J 39642-1 while holding the shock absorber rod from rotating with J 39642-2.
  19. Discard the shock absorber nut.
  20. Turn J 34013-B clockwise in order to fully relieve spring pressure.

Assembly Procedure

Tools Required

    • J 34013-B Strut Spring Compressor
    • J 34013-114 Modular Shock Compressor Adapter
    • J 34013-88 Strut Compressor Adapter
    • J 39642 Modular Shock Nut Removal Set, 15 mm (0.60 in)
    • J 34013-115 Modular Alignment Rod

    Object Number: 181087  Size: SH
  1. Install J 34013-114 to J 34013-B .

  2. Object Number: 181084  Size: MH
  3. Use wing nuts in order to secure J 34013-114 to J 34013-B mounting holes C-H (lower left corner) and P (upper right corner) for the driver-side shock absorber and in order to secure J 34013-114 to J 34013-B mounting holes A-X-P (upper left corner) and C-H (lower right corner) for the passenger-side shock absorber.
  4. Install J 34013-114 and J 34013-88 .

  5. Object Number: 181088  Size: SH
  6. Install the shock absorber (1) to J 34013-114 and J 34013-88 .
  7. Important: 

       • Ensure that the mounting ears of the shock absorber are facing downward, toward the rear of J 34013-B or the shock absorber will not align properly.
       • Use chalk or paint in order to mark (do not scribe) the lower mount location relative to the upper mount location before removing the shock absorber, or the shock absorber cannot be reinstalled.

  8. Close J 34013-114 and J 34013-88 and engage the locking pin.
  9. Ensure that the upper and lower spring seats are positioned correctly.
  10. Important: Ensure that the top of the shock absorber is flat against J 34013-114 . The shock absorber will not align properly if the shock absorber does not lie flat against the tool.

  11. Install the shock absorber to the top of J 34013-114
  12. Important: Only turn the screw until the shock absorber secures itself in J 34013-B . Do not load the spring.

  13. Turn the screw on J 34013-B counterclockwise in order to raise the shock absorber up to J 34013-114 without compressing the spring.
  14. Important: Ensure that J 34013-115 is straight with the shock absorber. If J 34013-115 is angled, repeat steps 1 through 5 until the tool is straight.

  15. Place J 34013-115 down through the top of J 34013-B through the top of the shock absorber and onto the top of the shock absorber rod.
  16. Caution: Do not over compress the spring. Severe overloading may cause tool failure which could result in bodily injury.

  17. Turn the operating screw clockwise in order to compress the spring until the threaded portion of the shock absorber rod is through the top of the shock absorber.
  18. Remove J 34013-115 .
  19. Important: When installing the front shock absorber nut, always replace with a new shock absorber nut. Never reinstall the original nut.

  20. Insert the new shock absorber nut on the shock absorber rod.
  21. Place J 39642-1 on the shock absorber nut.
  22. Notice: Turning the shock absorber while tightening the nut may damage the shock absorber. In order to prevent damage, keep the shock absorber in a stationary position while tightening the nut.

  23. Insert J 39642-2 through J 39642-1 and tighten the shock absorber nut.
  24. Tighten the shock absorber nut while holding onto J 39642 (J 39642-2).
  25. Remove the shock absorber from J 34013-B .

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 181083  Size: LH
  1. Position the shock absorber (13) and spring (14) to the lower control arm (12).
  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 bolts/screws and the nuts.
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts/screws and the nuts to 65 N·m (48 lb ft).

  5. Install the lower ball stud (10) to the steering knuckle (6). Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement .
  6. Install the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
  7. Install the tire and the wheel. Refer to Wheel Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  8. Install the special security wheel lock nut, if equipped. Use the special security wheel lock key which is located in the front floor console.
  9. Lower the vehicle.
  10. Hand tighten the bolts/screws and the nuts.
  11. Tighten

        • Tighten the bolts/screws to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).
        • Tighten the nuts to 43 N·m (32 lb ft).
  12. Position the brake master cylinder (driver-side only). Refer to Master Cylinder Replacement in Hydraulic Brakes.
  13. Install the brake master cylinder nuts. (driver-side only). Refer to Master Cylinder Replacement in Hydraulic Brakes.