GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

    • J 44015 Linkage Installer
    • SA91100C Tie Rod Separator
    • SA9132S Lower Control Arm Ball Stud Separator
    •  SA9140E Torque Angle Gage

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 859387  Size: SH
  1. With vehicle on the ground, depress the brake pedal and loosen the axle to hub nut.
  2. 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.

  3. Raise the vehicle on a hoist.
  4. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
  5. Remove caliper mount bracket-to-steering knuckle bolts; remove the caliper assembly and suspend it from the strut spring with mechanics wire.
  6. Remove the rotor.
  7. Important: Do not remove fasteners at this time.

  8. Loosen the steering knuckle-to-strut fasteners.

  9. Object Number: 864816  Size: SH
  10. Remove the axle nut and washer, but do not attempt to remove the axle.

  11. Object Number: 864770  Size: SH
  12. Remove and discard the lower control arm ball stud cotter pin.
  13. Loosen the ball stud castle nut, until top of the castle nut is level with the top of ball the stud.

  14. Object Number: 859978  Size: SH
  15. Remove the torque prevailing nut and discard the nut. A new nut will be required during assembly.

  16. Object Number: 864922  Size: SH

    Notice: On ABS equipped vehicles, the outer CV joint has a speed sensor ring. Using the incorrect tool or procedure to separate the control arm from the knuckle can damage the ring, resulting in a loss of ABS operation.

    Notice: Do not attempt to separate the joint using a wedge-type tool because seal may be damaged.

    Important: Lubricate threads of tool forcing screw using thread lube before each use.

  17. Using the SA9132S (or equivalent), separate the lower control arm from the steering knuckle.
  18. Remove the lower control arm ball stud castle nut.

  19. Object Number: 864941  Size: SH

    Notice: Do not attempt to separate the joint using a wedge-type tool because seal may be damaged.

  20. Using the SA91100C (or equivalent), separate the rod end from the steering knuckle.

  21. Object Number: 864948  Size: SH
  22. If equipped with ABS, disconnect the electrical connector at ABS wheel speed sensor.

  23. Object Number: 871528  Size: SH
  24. Support or suspend drive axle assembly.
  25. Remove the 2 strut-to-steering knuckle fasteners.

  26. Object Number: 871530  Size: SH

    Important: Never pull on the shaft assembly.

    Important: If difficulty is encountered in separating axle from hub, tap on end of drive axle shaft using a block of wood and a hammer. Do not hammer directly on end of axle.

  27. Remove the knuckle/wheel hub assembly from vehicle.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 861616  Size: SH
  1. Position steering knuckle onto axle shaft and install axle to hub washer and a NEW nut.
  2. Important: Do not tighten nut at this time.

  3. Install ball joint stud through knuckle attachment point and install castle nut.
  4. Important: Do not tighten nut at this time.

  5. Attach steering knuckle-to-strut with fasteners.
  6. Important: Tie rod end threads must be thoroughly cleaned before tightening nut. Do not lubricate any portion of the stud.

    Important: Use new nut. Torque retention of old nut may not be sufficient.

  7. Seat tie rod end into steering knuckle by using J 44015 or equivalent.
  8. Tighten
    Tighten the tie rod linkage installer to 45 N·m (33 lb ft).


    Object Number: 862019  Size: SH

    Important: This procedure requires SA9140E (or equivalent).

  9. Tighten new torque prevailing nut.
  10. Tighten
    Tighten tie rod-to-steering knuckle nut to 25 N·m (18 lb ft) plus 90 degrees.


    Object Number: 865044  Size: SH

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

  11. Tighten steering knuckle-to-strut fasteners.
  12. Tighten
    Tighten the steering knuckle-to-strut fastener to 170 N·m (126 lb ft).

    Important: If it is necessary to rotate the castle nut after tightening to orient it to the hole in the stud, always tighten the nut to align it; never loosen it.

  13. Tighten ball joint stud castle nut.
  14. Tighten
    Tighten the ball joint stud castle nut to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).

  15. Install new cotter pin.

  16. Object Number: 859387  Size: SH
  17. Install rotor onto wheel hub.
  18. Install caliper mount bracket onto knuckle.
  19. Tighten
    Tighten the caliper mount bracket-to-steering knuckle to 110 N·m (81 lb ft).


    Object Number: 864948  Size: SH
  20. If equipped with ABS, install electrical connector to ABS wheel speed sensor.
  21. Depress brake pedal and tighten axle to hub nut.
  22. Tighten
    Tighten the axle-to-hub nut to 200 N·m (148 lb ft).

    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.

  23. Position wheel onto hub.
  24. Install wheel nuts and tighten in a crisscross pattern. Repeat tightening pattern to make sure torque is correct.
  25. Tighten
    Tighten the wheel nuts to 140 N·m (103 lb ft).

  26. Lower vehicle from hoist.
  27. Perform vehicle wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications