GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2009 🢒 G8 🢒 Preface 🢒 Dangers, Warnings, and Cautions 🢒 Rear Frame Replacement

Removal Procedure

    Object Number: 1943710 Size: SH

    Note: The park brake cable adjustment bolt cover trim (1) is retained by two clips. Gently pry upwards with fingers at the front floor console armrest latch to remove.

  1. Remove the park brake cable adjustment bolt cover trim (1).

    2. Object Number: 1943708 Size: SH
  2. Loosen the park brake cable adjustment bolt (1) all the way to ensure maximum slack in the rear park brake cables.
  3. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
  4. Remove the rear wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  5. Remove the exhaust system. Refer to Exhaust System Replacement.
  6. Remove the propeller shaft. Refer to Propeller Shaft Replacement.
  7. Remove the drive shafts. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement.
  8. Remove the differential. Refer to Differential Replacement.

    9. Object Number: 1943706 Size: SH
  9. Remove the top strut assembly to body retaining bolts (1).

    10. Object Number: 1943714 Size: SH
  10. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor jumper harness electrical connector (1).

    11. Object Number: 1943693 Size: SH

    Note: Detach the rear park brake cable and clevis (1) from the park brake actuator (2) by pivoting the rear park brake cable and clevis (1) rearward using pliers.

  11. Detach the rear park brake cable and clevis (1) from the park brake actuator (2).

    12. Note: Remove the outer cable (4) from the rear knuckle (3) by pulling the outer cable (4) forward.

  12. Remove the outer cable (4) from the rear knuckle (3).

    13. Object Number: 1943713 Size: SH

    Note: Bolts with micro-encapsulated thread sealant must be discarded after removal.

  13. Remove the brake caliper anchor plate to knuckle retaining bolts (1).

    14. Discard the bolts.

    Note: DO NOT disconnect the hydraulic brake flexible hose from the brake caliper otherwise complete bleeding of the braking system will be necessary.

  14. Remove the brake caliper (2) from the knuckle (3).

    15. Caution: Refer to Brake Caliper Caution in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1943691 Size: SH
  15. Support the brake caliper (1) with heavy mechanic's wire, or equivalent (2).
  16. Remove the 2 wheel nuts (4) retaining the brake disc (3) to the hub (5).
  17. Clean all dirt and foreign material from the brake hose and the brake pipe fittings.

    18. Object Number: 1943688 Size: SH
  18. Detach the brake hose (1) from the upper control arm mounted brake hose retaining bracket (5).
  19. Position the suitable frame support table under the vehicle.
  20. Using suitable frame support table, lower the vehicle to the frame support table.

    21. Object Number: 1943725 Size: SH
  21. Remove the rear sub frame to rear chassis rail retaining bolts (4) and washers (3).
  22. Carefully raise the vehicle from the rear frame assembly.
  23. Remove the stabiliser shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement.
  24. Remove the stabiliser shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement.
  25. Remove the rear wheel hub and knuckle assembly. Refer to Knuckle Replacement.

    26. Object Number: 1943695 Size: SH
  26. Remove the rear strut assembly to lower control arm retaining bolt (2) and nut (1).

    27. Discard the nut.


    Object Number: 1943696 Size: SH

    Note: The lower control arm to subframe retaining bolt (1) and nut (2) eccentric washers (3) are used to adjust the rear suspension camber. One eccentric washer (3) is mounted directly to the head of the lower control arm to subframe retaining bolt (1).

  27. Scribe the eccentric washers (3) with reference to their seating position relative to the subframe.

    28. Object Number: 1943697 Size: SH
  28. Remove the lower control arm to subframe retaining bolt (1) and nut (5).

    29. Discard the nut.

  29. Remove the lower control arm (4) from the subframe (3).
  30. Remove the upper control arm pivot bushing. Refer to Knuckle Replacement.

    31. Object Number: 1943682 Size: SH

    Note: Nuts with micro-encapsulated thread sealant must be replaced after removal.

  31. Remove the upper control arm ball joint bushing to subframe retaining bolt (1) and nut (5).

    32. Discard the nut.


    Object Number: 1943704 Size: SH
  32. Remove the Y-Link to subframe retaining bolt (2) and nut (1).

    33. Discard the nut.

  33. Remove the Y-Link (5).

    34. Object Number: 1943723 Size: SH

    Note: The I-Link to subframe retaining bolt (2), nut (5) and eccentric washers (1) are used to adjust the rear suspension toe. One eccentric washer (1) is mounted directly to the head of the I-Link to subframe retaining bolt (2).

  34. Scribe the eccentric washers (1) with reference to their seating position relative to the subframe (4).

    35. Note: Nuts with micro-encapsulated thread sealant must be discarded after removal.

    Discard the nut.

  35. Remove the I-Link to subframe retaining bolt (2) and nut (5).
  36. Remove the I-Link (3) from the subframe (4).

    37. Object Number: 1943727 Size: SH
  37. Disconnect the rear frame wiring harness to rear frame center retaining clips (1).

    38. Object Number: 1943728 Size: SH
  38. Disconnect the rear frame wiring harness to rear frame side retaining clips (1).

Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 1943728 Size: SH
  1. Connect the rear frame wiring harness to rear subframe side retaining clips (1).

    2. Object Number: 1943727 Size: SH
  2. Connect the rear frame wiring harness to rear subframe center retaining clips (1).

    3. Object Number: 1943723 Size: SH
  3. Install the I-Link (3) into the rear subframe (4).

    4. Note: The eccentric washers (1) must be fitted correctly in terms of their orientation and alignment marks.

    Note: The I-Link to rear subframe retaining bolt (2) and NEW nut (5) must not to be fully tightened at this stage.

  4. Install the I-Link to rear subframe retaining bolt (2).
  5. Install the eccentric washer (1) and the NEW nut (5).

    6. Do not fully tighten at this stage.


    Object Number: 1943700 Size: SH
  6. Install the Y-Link (5) to the rear subframe.

    7. Note: The Y-Link to subframe retaining bolt (3) and nut (4) must not to be fully tightened at this stage.

  7. Install the Y-Link to rear subframe retaining bolt (3) and NEW nut (4).

    8. Do not fully tighten at this stage.

    Note: The Y-Link to knuckle retaining bolt (1) and nut (2) must not to be fully tightened at this stage.

  8. Install the Y-Link to knuckle retaining bolt (1) and NEW nut (2).

    9. Do not fully tighten at this stage.


    Object Number: 1943682 Size: SH
  9. Install the upper control arm (4) into the rear subframe.

    10. Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

  10. Install the upper control arm ball joint bushing to rear subframe retaining bolt (1) and NEW nut (5) and tighten a first pass to 40 N·m (30 lb ftand a final pass 90 degrees.
  11. Install the upper control arm to knuckle retaining bolt (3) and NEW nut (2) and tighten a first pass to 60 N·m (44 lb ft) and an additional 90 degrees.
  12. Install the upper control arm pivot bushing. Refer to Knuckle Replacement.

    13. Object Number: 1943697 Size: SH
  13. Install the lower control arm (4) into the rear subframe (3).

    14. Note: The eccentric washers (2) must be fitted correctly in terms of their orientation and alignment marks.

    Note: Do not fully tighten the lower control arm to rear subframe retaining bolt (1) and nut (5) at this stage.

  14. Install the lower control arm to rear subframe retaining bolt (1).
  15. Install the eccentric washer (2) and the NEW nut (5).

    16. Do not fully tighten at this stage.


    Object Number: 1943680 Size: SH
  16. Connect the rear strut assembly (4) to the lower control arm (3).

    17. Note: Do not fully tighten the lower control arm to strut assembly retaining bolt (2) and nut (1) at this stage.

  17. Install the lower control arm to strut assembly retaining bolt (2) and NEW nut (1).

    18. Do not fully tighten at this stage.

  18. Install the rear wheel hub and knuckle assembly. Refer to Knuckle Replacement in rear Suspension.
  19. Install the stabiliser shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement.
  20. Install the stabiliser shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement.

    21. Note: Make sure the intermediate brake cable is clear of the rear frame to body mount prior to securing the frame retaining bolts.

  21. Lower the vehicle to the frame.
  22. Index the rear side frame mounts to the rear locator sleeves located on the body.
  23. Lower the vehicle until the frame mounts contact the body rail.

    24. Object Number: 1943725 Size: SH
  24. Install the rear sub frame to rear chassis rail retaining bolts and tighten to 200 N·m (148 lb ft).
  25. Raise the vehicle.
  26. Remove the suitable frame support table from under the vehicle.

    27. Object Number: 1943688 Size: SH
  27. Attach the brake hose (1) from the upper control arm mounted brake hose retaining bracket (5).

    28. Object Number: 1943711 Size: SH
  28. Remove the heavy mechanic's wire, or equivalent support (2) from the brake caliper (1).

    29. Object Number: 1943713 Size: SH

    Notice: Make sure the brake hose is not twisted or kinked after installation. Damage to the hose could result.

  29. Install the brake caliper assembly (2) to the knuckle (3).
  30. Install the NEW brake caliper anchor plate to knuckle retaining bolts (1) and tighten to 110 N·m (81 lb ft).

    31. Object Number: 1943693 Size: SH
  31. Install the rear park brake cable (4) into the rear knuckle (3).

    32. Make sure that the rear park brake cables (4) are properly seated.

    Note: Attach the rear park brake cable and clevis (1) to the park brake actuator (2) by pivoting the rear park brake cable and clevis (1) rearward using pliers.

  32. Attach the rear park brake cable and clevis (1) to the park brake actuator (2).

    33. Object Number: 1943714 Size: SH
  33. Connect the wheel speed sensor jumper harness electrical connector (1).

    34. Object Number: 1943706 Size: SH
  34. Install the top strut assembly to body retaining bolts (1) and tighten to 58 N·m (43 lb ft).

    35. Object Number: 1943714 Size: SH
  35. Connect the wheel speed sensor jumper harness electrical connector (1).
  36. Attach the electrical connector (1) to the right hand rail (2).

    37. Object Number: 1943692 Size: SH
  37. Install the outer cable (4) to the vehicle underbody bracket (3).

    38. Make sure that the outer cables (4) are properly seated in the vehicle underbody bracket (3).

    Note: Wrap a workshop cloth around the rear inner cable (1) to protect it from damage. Using pliers, pull the rear inner cable (1) forward and downwards to install the ball nipple to the front park brake cable and equaliser bracket assembly (2).

  38. Install the rear inner cables (1) to the front park brake cable and equaliser bracket assembly (2).
  39. Install the rear strut assembly. Refer to Strut Assembly Replacement in Rear Suspension.
  40. Install the differential. Refer to Differential Replacement.
  41. Install the drive shafts. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement.
  42. Install the propeller shaft. Refer to Propeller Shaft Replacement.
  43. Install the exhaust system. Refer to Exhaust System Replacement.
  44. Install the rear wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  45. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
  46. Bounce the vehicle several times to settle the suspension.

    47. Object Number: 1943696 Size: SH

    Note: The lower control arm to the subframe retaining bolt (1) and nut (2) eccentric washers (3) are used to adjust rear suspension camber.

  47. Align the marks on the eccentric washers (3) with the marks on the subframe.

    48. Note: Make sure that the vehicle is positioned on a suitable hoist to load the rear suspension bushes to the correct position.

  48. Tighten the lower control arm to subframe retaining bolt (1) and nut (2) and tighten to 175 N·m (129 lb ft).

    49. Object Number: 1943699 Size: SH
  49. Tighten the lower control arm to knuckle retaining bolt (2) and nut (1) a first pass to 40 N·m (30 lb ft)and a final pass 120 degrees.

    50. Object Number: 1943704 Size: SH

    Note: Make sure that the vehicle is positioned on a suitable hoist to load the rear suspension bushes to the correct position.

  50. Tighten the Y-Link to subframe retaining bolt (2) and NEW nut (1) to 100 N·m (74 lb ft).

    51. Object Number: 1943702 Size: SH
  51. Tighten the Y-Link to knuckle retaining bolt (2) and NEW nut (1) to 40 N·m (30 lb ft) and final pass 120 degrees.

    52. Object Number: 1943723 Size: SH

    Note: Make sure that the vehicle is positioned on a suitable hoist to load the rear suspension bushes to the correct position.

  52. Align the marks on the eccentric washers (1) with the marks on the subframe (3).
  53. Tighten the I-Link to subframe retaining bolt (2) and NEW nut (4) to 175 N·m (129 lb ft).
  54. Check the wheel alignment of the vehicle. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement.
  55. Correct the wheel alignment of the vehicle, if necessary. Refer to Rear Camber Adjustment and Rear Toe Adjustment.