GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J 42188 Ball Joint Separator

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Remove the front tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  3. Turn the steering wheel in order to access the control arm ball joint stud.
  4. Remove and discard the nut that retains the control arm ball joint stud to the knuckle.
  5. Use the J 42188 , or equivalent, in order to separate the control arm ball joint stud from the knuckle.

  6. Object Number: 1386893  Size: SH
  7. Use a block of wood in order to push the control arm (7) away from the knuckle.
  8. Remove and discard the nut (5) that retains the control arm rod (9) to the control arm.
  9. Remove the washer (6) from the rod.
  10. Remove and discard the nut (3) that retains the control arm to the front frame.
  11. Remove the bolt (4) and the control arm from the front frame.
  12. Important: Do not remove the retainer (8).

  13. Remove the control arm from the rod.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 1386893  Size: SH
  1. Ensure the retainer (8) is on the control arm rod (9) properly.
  2. Install the control arm (7) to the rod.
  3. Install the control arm and the bolt (4) to the front frame.
  4. Important: Do not tighten the nut yet.

  5. Install a NEW nut (3) to the bolt in order to retain the control arm to the front frame.
  6. Install the washer (6) to the rod.
  7. Important: Do not tighten the nut yet.

  8. Install a NEW nut (5) to the rod.
  9. Position a jack and a block of wood below the control arm ball joint.
  10. Raise the jack in order to support the control arm.
  11. Install the control arm ball joint stud to the knuckle.
  12. Raise the jack in order to seat the control arm ball joint stud.

    Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  13. Install a NEW nut to the control arm ball joint stud.
  14. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 60 N·m (44 lb ft).

  15. Remove the jack and the block of wood.
  16. Lower the vehicle onto an alignment rack.
  17. With the weight of the vehicle on the tire and wheel assemblies, push down on the front bumper 3 times in order to stabilize the suspension.
  18. Tighten the nut that retains the control arm to the front frame.
  19. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 98 N·m (72 lb ft).

  20. Tighten the nut that retains the control arm rod to the control arm.
  21. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 103 N·m (76 lb ft).

  22. Measure the wheel alignment. Adjust the alignment if necessary. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement in Wheel Alignment.