GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Lower Control Arm Replacement AWD

Special Tools

J 43631 Ball Joint Separator

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
  2. Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  3. Remove the air deflector. Refer to Front Air Deflector Replacement.

  4. Object Number: 1689972  Size: SH
  5. Remove the stabilizer shaft link from the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement.
  6. Remove the wheel speed sensor. Refer to Front Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement.
  7. Notice: The ball stud must not rotate during disassembly or reassembly. Hand tools must be used to keep the ball stud from rotating. If air tools are used and the stud is allowed to rotate, damage to the ball stud and/or stud mounting hole may occur.

  8. Remove the lower ball joint nut (2).
  9. Using the J 43631 , remove the ball joint stud from the steering knuckle.
  10. Remove the yoke from the stud on the lower control arm. Refer to Front Shock Absorber Yoke Replacement
  11. Important: Raise the power steering gear to provide clearance when removing the rear lower control arm to frame retaining bolt.

  12. Loosen the power steering gear retaining bolts and raise the power steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement.

  13. Object Number: 1689984  Size: SH
  14. Remove the lower control arm to cradle nuts (1).
  15. Remove the lower control arm to cradle bolts (2).
  16. Remove the lower control arm (3) from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 1689984  Size: SH
  1. Position the lower control arm (3) to the vehicle.
  2. Install the lower control arm to cradle bolts (2).
  3. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

    Important: Tighten the lower control arm bolts and nuts with the lower control arm at normal vehicle ride height.

  4. Install the lower control arm to cradle nuts (1).
  5. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 135 N·m (96 lb ft).

  6. Tighten the power steering gear retaining bolts. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement.
  7. Install the shock module yoke to the lower control arm nut. Refer to Front Shock Absorber Yoke Replacement.

  8. Object Number: 1689972  Size: SH

    Notice: The ball stud must not rotate during disassembly or reassembly. Hand tools must be used to keep the ball stud from rotating. If air tools are used and the stud is allowed to rotate, damage to the ball stud and/or stud mounting hole may occur.

  9. Install the lower control arm ball joint nut (1).
  10. Tighten

    1. Tighten the nut to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).
    2. Rotate the nut an additional 120 degrees.
  11. Install the wheel speed sensor. Refer to Front Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement.
  12. Install the stabilizer shaft link to the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement.
  13. Install the air deflector. Refer to Front Air Deflector Replacement.
  14. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  15. Lower the vehicle.
  16. Check the front end alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement.

Lower Control Arm Replacement RWD

Special Tools

J 43631 Ball Joint Remover

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 750841  Size: SH
  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  2. Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  3. Remove the stabilizer shaft link lower retaining nut.
  4. Remove the stabilizer shaft link from the lower control arm.
  5. Important: Step 5 is for rear wheel drive (RWD) vehicles only.

  6. Remove the shock assembly lower retaining bolts. Refer to Shock Absorber and Spring Assembly Replacement .
  7. Important: Step 6 is for all wheel drive (AWD) vehicles only.

  8. Remove the shock absorber yoke from the lower control arm. Refer to Front Shock Absorber Yoke Replacement .
  9. Remove the outer tie rod to the steering knuckle retaining nut. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement .

  10. Object Number: 802031  Size: SH
  11. Remove the ABS wire harness from the lower control arm.

  12. Object Number: 750908  Size: SH
  13. Remove the front and rear lower control arm mounting nuts.
  14. Remove the front and rear lower control arm mounting bolts.
  15. Lower and support the lower arm control to gain access to the lower ball joint.

  16. Object Number: 750956  Size: SH
  17. Remove the lower ball joint retaining nut and discard.

  18. Object Number: 750829  Size: SH
  19. Using J 43631 separate the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle.
  20. Remove the lower control arm from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 750908  Size: SH
  1. Install the lower control arm to the vehicle.
  2. Install the lower control arm mounting bolts.
  3. Adjust the lower control arm to Z height. Refer to Trim Height Specifications .
  4. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  5. Install the front lower control arm mounting nut and bolt.
  6. Tighten
    Tighten the front bolt to 200 N·m (148 lb ft).

  7. Install the rear lower control arm mounting nut and bolt.
  8. Tighten
    Tighten the rear bolt to 320 N·m (236 lb ft).


    Object Number: 802031  Size: SH
  9. Install the ABS wire harness to the lower control arm.

  10. Object Number: 750956  Size: SH
  11. Connect the lower ball joint to the steering knuckle.
  12. Install a new lower ball joint retaining nut.
  13. Tighten the lower ball joint retaining nut in the following order:
  14. Tighten

    1. Tighten the nut to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).
    2. Tighten the nut to an additional 120 degree turn.

    Object Number: 794578  Size: SH
  15. Connect the outer tie rod to the steering knuckle.
  16. Install the outer tie rod retaining nut. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement .
  17. Important: Step 13 is for rear wheel drive (RWD) vehicles only.

  18. Remove the shock assembly lower retaining bolts. Refer to Shock Absorber and Spring Assembly Replacement .
  19. Important: Step 14 is for all wheel drive (AWD) vehicles only.

  20. Remove the shock absorber yoke from the lower control arm. Refer to Front Shock Absorber Yoke Replacement .

  21. Object Number: 750841  Size: SH

    Important: Apply threadlocker 242 or equivalent to the threads of the stabilizer shaft link.

  22. Install the stabilizer shaft link to the lower control arm.
  23. Install the stabilizer shaft link retaining nut. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
  24. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  25. Lower the vehicle.
  26. Align the front end. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement .