GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

    • CH-49405 Ball Joint Release Tool.
    • E7115 Angle Wrench.

Removal Procedure - Up to 12 Jun 2007

    Caution: Refer to Safety Glasses Caution in the Preface section.

    Caution: Refer to Vehicle Lifting Caution in the Preface section.

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
  2. Remove the front wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  3. Remove the front wheel hub assembly. Refer to Front Wheel Bearing and Hub Replacement.

  4. Object Number: 1943439  Size: SH
  5. Remove the brake disc splash shield to steering knuckle retaining bolts (2).
  6. Remove the brake disc splash shield (1).

  7. Object Number: 1949930  Size: SH

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

  8. Remove the tie rod end to steering knuckle retaining nut (1).
  9. Discard the nut.


    Object Number: 1949941  Size: SH

    Important: Once a load is applied by the ball joint release tool loading bolt, a quick tap on the nut end of the tool will reduce the separating force required.

  10. Disconnect the tie rod (3) from the steering knuckle (2) using the CH-49405  (1).

  11. Object Number: 1949931  Size: SH
  12. Remove the caster arm to steering knuckle retaining nut (1).
  13. Discard the nut.


    Object Number: 1957043  Size: SH

    Important: Once a load is applied by the ball joint release tool loading bolt, a quick tap on the nut end of the tool will reduce the separating force required.

  14. Separate the caster arm (1) from the steering knuckle (3) using the CH-49405  (2).
  15. Remove the CH-49405  (2).
  16. Disconnect the caster arm (1) from the steering knuckle (3).

  17. Object Number: 1949932  Size: SH
  18. Remove the control arm to steering knuckle retaining nut (1).
  19. Discard the nut.


    Object Number: 1949921  Size: SH

    Important: Once a load is applied by the ball joint release tool loading bolt, a quick tap on the nut end of the tool will reduce the separating force required.

  20. Separate the control arm (1) from the steering knuckle (3) using the CH-49405  (2).
  21. Remove the CH-49405  (2).
  22. Disconnect the control arm (1) from the steering knuckle (3).

  23. Object Number: 1949933  Size: SH

    Important: Mark the camber adjusting bolt in relation to the steering knuckle and note the number of turns required to remove.

  24. Remove the camber adjusting bolt (3) from the steering knuckle (4).
  25. Important: The strut assembly to steering knuckle retaining bolts (2) nuts (5) and washers (1) are single use parts. They must be discarded after removal.

    Important: Suitably support the steering knuckle before removing strut assembly to steering knuckle retaining bolts (2)

  26. Remove the strut assembly to steering knuckle retaining bolts (2) nuts (5) and washers (1).
  27. Discard the bolts, nuts and washers.


    Object Number: 1949934  Size: SH
  28. Remove the steering knuckle (2) from the strut assembly (1).

Installation Procedure - Up to 12 Jun 2007


    Object Number: 1949939  Size: SH
  1. Install the steering knuckle (1) to the control arm (4).
  2. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  3. Install the NEW control arm to steering knuckle retaining nut (3).
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts a first pass to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).

    Tighten
    Tighten the nuts an additional 60 degrees.

  5. Install the steering knuckle (1) to the strut assembly (2).

  6. Object Number: 1949933  Size: SH

    Important: The steering knuckle (3) to strut assembly retaining bolts (2), nuts (5) and washers (1) are not to be fully tightened at this stage.

  7. Install the NEW steering knuckle to strut assembly retaining bolts (2), nuts (5) and washers (1).
  8. Do not fully tighten at this stage.

    Important: The camber adjusting bolt (3) must be installed rotating the same number of turns as recorded during removal and aligned with the marks previously made.

  9. Install the camber adjusting bolt (3) to the steering knuckle (4).
  10. Install the caster arm to the steering knuckle.

  11. Object Number: 1949931  Size: SH
  12. Install the NEW caster arm to steering knuckle retaining nut (1).
  13. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts a first pass to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).

    Tighten
    Tighten the nuts an additional 60 degrees.


    Object Number: 1949935  Size: SH
  14. Install the tie rod (3) to the steering knuckle (2).
  15. Install the NEW tie rod to steering knuckle retaining nut (1).
  16. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 25 N·m+ 120 degrees (18 lb ft + 120 degrees).


    Object Number: 1943439  Size: SH
  17. Install the brake disc splash shield (1).
  18. Install the brake disc splash shield to steering knuckle retaining bolts (2).
  19. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 9 N·m (7 lb ft).

  20. Install the front wheel hub assembly. Refer to Front Wheel Bearing and Hub Replacement.

  21. Object Number: 1943441  Size: SH

    Important:  If the steering knuckle has been replaced, the end-float measurement must be checked. Refer to Front Wheel Hub Assembly Inspection

  22. Install the front wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  23. Remove the safety stands.
  24. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
  25. Bounce the vehicle several times to settle the suspension.
  26. Check and adjust the wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement.
  27. Tighten the strut assembly to steering knuckle retaining bolts (2) and nuts (1).
  28. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts a first pass to 85 N·m (63 lb ft).

    Tighten
    Tighten the bolts a second pass to 100 N·m (74 lb ft).

    Tighten
    Tighten the bolts an additional 90 degrees.

Removal Procedure - From 12 Jun 2007

    Caution: Refer to Safety Glasses Caution in the Preface section.

    Caution: Refer to Vehicle Lifting Caution in the Preface section.

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
  2. Remove the front wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  3. Remove the front wheel hub assembly. Refer to Front Wheel Bearing and Hub Replacement.

  4. Object Number: 1943439  Size: SH
  5. Remove the brake disc splash shield to steering knuckle retaining bolts (2).
  6. Remove the brake disc splash shield (1) from the steering knuckle.

  7. Object Number: 1949930  Size: SH

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

  8. Remove the tie rod end to steering knuckle retaining nut (1).
  9. Discard the nut.


    Object Number: 1949941  Size: SH

    Important: Once a load is applied by the ball joint release tool loading bolt, a quick tap on the nut end of the tool will reduce the separating force required.

  10. Disconnect the tie rod (3) from the steering knuckle (2) using the CH-49405  (1).

  11. Object Number: 1949931  Size: SH
  12. Remove the caster arm to steering knuckle retaining nut (1).
  13. Discard the nut.


    Object Number: 1957043  Size: SH

    Important: Once a load is applied by the ball joint release tool loading bolt, a quick tap on the nut end of the tool will reduce the separating force required.

  14. Separate the caster arm (1) from the steering knuckle (3) using the CH-49405  (2).
  15. Remove the CH-49405  (2).
  16. Disconnect the caster arm (1) from the steering knuckle (3).

  17. Object Number: 1949932  Size: SH
  18. Remove the control arm to steering knuckle retaining nut (1).
  19. Discard the nut.


    Object Number: 1949921  Size: SH

    Important: Once a load is applied by the ball joint release tool loading bolt, a quick tap on the nut end of the tool will reduce the separating force required.

  20. Separate the control arm (1) from the steering knuckle (3) using the CH-49405  (2).
  21. Remove the CH-49405  (2).
  22. Disconnect the control arm (1) from the steering knuckle (3).

  23. Object Number: 2016006  Size: SH

    Important: The strut assembly to steering knuckle retaining bolts (2) nuts (4) and washers (1) are single use parts. They must be discarded after removal.

    Important: Suitably support the steering knuckle (3) before removing strut assembly to steering knuckle retaining bolts (2)

  24. Remove the strut assembly to steering knuckle retaining bolts (2) nuts (4) and washers (1).
  25. Discard the bolts, nuts and washers.


    Object Number: 1949934  Size: SH
  26. Remove the steering knuckle (2) from the strut assembly (1).

Installation Procedure - From 12 Jun 2007


    Object Number: 1949939  Size: SH
  1. Install the steering knuckle (1) to the control arm (4).
  2. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  3. Install the NEW control arm to steering knuckle retaining nut (3).
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts a first pass to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).

    Tighten
    Tighten the nuts an additional 60 degrees.

  5. Install the steering knuckle (1) to the strut assembly (2).

  6. Object Number: 2016006  Size: SH

    Important: The steering knuckle (3) to strut assembly retaining bolts (2), nuts (4) and washers (1) are not to be fully tightened at this stage.

  7. Install the NEW steering knuckle to strut assembly retaining bolts (2), nuts (4) and washers (1).
  8. Do not fully tighten at this stage.

  9. Install the caster arm to the steering knuckle.

  10. Object Number: 2037778  Size: SH
  11. Install the NEW caster arm (1) to steering knuckle (3) retaining nut (2).
  12. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts a first pass to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).

    Tighten
    Tighten the nuts an additional 60 degrees.


    Object Number: 1949935  Size: SH
  13. Install the tie rod (3) to the steering knuckle (2).
  14. Install the NEW tie rod to steering knuckle retaining nut (1).
  15. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 25 N·m+ 120 degrees (18 lb ft + 120 degrees).


    Object Number: 1943439  Size: SH
  16. Install the brake disc splash shield (1).
  17. Install the brake disc splash shield to steering knuckle retaining bolts (2).
  18. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 9 N·m (7 lb ft).

  19. Install the front wheel hub assembly. Refer to Front Wheel Bearing and Hub Replacement.

  20. Object Number: 2016382  Size: SH

    Important:  If the steering knuckle has been replaced, the end-float measurement must be checked. Refer to Front Wheel Hub Assembly Inspection.

  21. Install the front wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  22. Remove the safety stands.
  23. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
  24. Bounce the vehicle several times to settle the suspension.
  25. Check and adjust the wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement.
  26. Tighten the strut assembly to steering knuckle retaining bolts (2) and nuts (1).
  27. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts a first pass to 85 N·m (63 lb ft).

    Tighten
    Tighten the bolts a second pass to 100 N·m (74 lb ft).

    Tighten
    Tighten the bolts an additional 90 degrees.