GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Saturn 🢒 2002 🢒 SL 🢒 Suspension 🢒 Rear Suspension 🢒 Knuckle Replacement

Removal Procedure

    Object Number: 861439 Size: SH

    Caution: Ensure that the vehicle is properly supported and squarely positioned. To help avoid personal injury when a vehicle is on a hoist, provide additional support for the vehicle on the opposite end from which the components are being removed.

  1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist.
  2. Remove the road wheel and the brake drum corresponding to the knuckle being replaced.
  3. Remove the 4 hub-to-knuckle bolts and remove the hub.

    4. Object Number: 861367 Size: SH
  4. Suspend the brake assembly clear of the knuckle.
  5. Loosen the lateral link and strut-to-knuckle fasteners.

    6. Important: Do not remove the fasteners at this time.

  6. Remove the trailing arm-to-knuckle fastening nut.
  7. Remove the 2 trailing arm-to-body fasteners.
  8. Slide the trailing arm out of the knuckle.
  9. Remove the lateral link and strut-to-knuckle fasteners and remove the knuckle.

Installation Procedure
  1. Place the knuckle in the strut and install the fasteners. Do not torque the fasteners at this time.
  2. Install the lateral link onto the knuckle with the fastener. Do not torque the fastener at this time.

    3. Object Number: 861432 Size: SH
  3. Place the trailing arm into the knuckle and install the fastener nut. Do not torque the fastener at this time.

    4. Caution: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  4. Install the trailing arm-to-body fasteners.

    5. Tighten
    Tighten the trailing arm-to-body fasteners to 120 N·m (89 lb ft).

  5. Torque the trailing arm-to-knuckle fastener nut.

    6. Tighten
    Tighten the trailing arm-to-knuckle fasteners to 100 N·m (74 lb ft).

  6. Torque the lateral link-to-knuckle fastener.

    7. Tighten
    Tighten the lateral link-to-knuckle fastener to 165 N·m (122 lb ft).

    Important: With the fasteners installed but not tightened, push the bottom of the strut inward while tightening.

  7. Torque the strut-to-knuckle fasteners.

    8. Tighten
    Tighten the rear strut-to-knuckle fasteners to 170 N·m (126 lb ft).

  8. Join the hub, brake backing plate, and knuckle with the 4 fasteners. Torque to specifications.

    9. Tighten
    Tighten the rear wheel hub assembly to 85 N·m (63 lb ft).


    Object Number: 861439 Size: SH
  9. Install the brake drum.

    10. Notice: Before installing wheels, remove rust or corrosion from wheel mounting surfaces and brake rotors/drums. Failure to do so can cause wheel nuts to loosen in service.

  10. Position the wheel onto the hub.
  11. Install the wheel nuts and tighten the wheel nuts in a crisscross pattern. Repeat the tightening pattern to ensure the torque is correct.

    12. Tighten
    Tighten the wheel nuts to 140 N·m (103 lb ft).

  12. Lower the vehicle from the hoist.
  13. Perform the vehicle wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications in Wheel Alignment.