GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Strut Assembly Replacement SWBHSV Except Clubsport

Removal Procedure - Type B

    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. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection.
  3. Remove the rear wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.

  4. Object Number: 1959036  Size: SH
  5. Disconnect the ESC link (1) from the rear lower control arm ball stud (2).
  6. Support the lower control arm with a suitable jack.

  7. Object Number: 1959034  Size: SH

    Important:  Nuts with micro-encapsulated thread sealant are single use parts and must be discarded after removal.

  8. Remove the lower control arm to knuckle retaining bolt (2) and nut (1).
  9. Discard the nut.


    Object Number: 1943695  Size: SH

    Important:  Nuts with micro-encapsulated thread sealant are single use parts and must be discarded after removal.

  10. Remove the lower control arm to rear ESC strut assembly retaining bolt (2) and nut (1).
  11. Discard the nut.


    Object Number: 1959093  Size: SH

    Important: Do not apply pressure to the rear brake disc backing plate while levering.

  12. Detach the lower control arm (1) using a suitable pry bar.
  13. Reposition the jack as necessary.


    Object Number: 1959094  Size: SH

    Important: The ESC Strut unit has an electrical connector on top of the strut. Care must be taken not to damage the electrical connector when removing the ESC strut assembly.

  14. Remove the rear ESC strut assembly to body retaining bolts (1).
  15. Partially lower the ESC strut assembly from the vehicle.

  16. Object Number: 1959059  Size: SH
  17. Cut and remove the cable tie (1) then disconnect the ESC connector (2) from the top of the rear ESC strut assembly (3).

  18. Object Number: 1959091  Size: SH
  19. Remove the rear ESC strut assembly (1) from the vehicle.
  20. Inspect all parts for wear and damage.

Installation Procedure - Type B


    Object Number: 1959059  Size: SH
  1. Connect the ESC electrical connector (2) to the top of the rear ESC strut (3) and secure correctly with a cable tie (1).
  2. Important: The ESC Strut unit has an electrical connector on top of the strut. Care must be taken not to damage the electrical connector when installing the ESC strut assembly.


    Object Number: 1959091  Size: SH
  3. Carefully raise the rear ESC strut assembly (1) into the vehicle.
  4. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1959094  Size: SH
  5. Install the rear ESC strut assembly to body retaining bolts (1).
  6. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 58 Nm (43 lb ft).


    Object Number: 1943680  Size: SH
  7. Connect the rear ESC strut assembly (4) to the lower control arm (3).
  8. Important: Do not fully tighten the lower control arm to strut assembly retaining bolt (2) and nut (1) at this stage.

  9. Install the lower control arm to rear ESC strut assembly retaining bolt (2) and NEW nut (1).
  10. Do not fully tighten at this stage.


    Object Number: 1959035  Size: SH
  11. Connect the lower control arm (3) to the knuckle (4) using a suitable jack.
  12. Important: Do not fully tighten the lower control arm to knuckle retaining bolt (2) and nut (1) at this stage.

  13. Install the lower control arm to knuckle retaining bolt (2) and NEW nut (1).
  14. Do not fully tighten at this stage.

  15. Install the rear wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  16. Remove the safety stands.
  17. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
  18. Bounce the vehicle several times to settle the suspension.

  19. Object Number: 1959036  Size: SH
  20. Connect the ESC link (1) to the rear lower control arm (2).

  21. Object Number: 1959098  Size: SH

    Important: The weight of the vehicle must be on a level surface and on all four wheels before fully tightening the nuts and bolts.

  22. Tighten the lower control arm to ESC strut assembly retaining bolt (2) and NEW nut (1).
  23. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt and nut to 80  Nm (59 lb ft).


    Object Number: 1959096  Size: SH
  24. Tighten the lower control arm to knuckle retaining bolt (1) and NEW nut (2).
  25. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt and nut to 105 Nm (77 lb ft).

  26. Connect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection.
  27. Check the wheel alignment of the vehicle. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement.
  28. Correct the wheel alignment of the vehicle, if necessary. Refer to Rear Camber Adjustment, and Rear Toe Adjustment.

Strut Assembly Replacement LWBHSV

Removal Procedure

    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. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection.
  3. Remove the rear wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.

  4. Object Number: 1959036  Size: SH
  5. Disconnect the ESC link (1) from the rear lower control arm ball stud (2).
  6. Support the lower control arm with a suitable jack.

  7. Object Number: 1959034  Size: SH

    Important:  Nuts with micro-encapsulated thread sealant are single use parts and must be discarded after removal.

  8. Remove the lower control arm to knuckle retaining bolt (2) and nut (1).
  9. Discard the nut.


    Object Number: 1943695  Size: SH

    Important:  Nuts with micro-encapsulated thread sealant are single use parts and must be discarded after removal.

  10. Remove the lower control arm to rear ESC strut assembly retaining bolt (2) and nut (1).
  11. Discard the nut.


    Object Number: 1959093  Size: SH

    Important: Do not apply pressure to the rear brake disc backing plate while levering.

  12. Detach the lower control arm (1) using a suitable pry bar.
  13. Reposition the jack as necessary.
  14. Caution: Refer to General Repair Instructions in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1959094  Size: SH

    Important: The ESC Strut unit has an electrical connector on top of the strut. Care must be taken not to damage the electrical connector when removing the ESC strut assembly.

  15. Remove the rear ESC strut assembly to body retaining bolts (1).
  16. Partially lower the ESC strut assembly from the vehicle.

  17. Object Number: 1959059  Size: SH
  18. Cut and remove the cable tie (1) then disconnect the ESC connector (2) from the top of the rear ESC strut assembly (3).

  19. Object Number: 1959091  Size: SH
  20. Remove the rear ESC strut assembly (1) from the vehicle.
  21. Inspect all parts for wear and damage.

Installation Procedure

    Important: The ESC Strut unit has an electrical connector on top of the strut. Care must be taken not to damage the electrical connector when installing the ESC strut assembly.


    Object Number: 1959059  Size: SH
  1. Connect the ESC electrical connector (2) to the top of the rear ESC strut (3) and secure correctly with a cable tie (1).

  2. Object Number: 1959091  Size: SH
  3. Carefully raise the rear ESC strut assembly (1) into the vehicle.
  4. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1959094  Size: SH
  5. Install the rear ESC strut assembly to body retaining bolts (1).
  6. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 58 Nm (43 lb ft).


    Object Number: 1943680  Size: SH
  7. Connect the rear ESC strut assembly (4) to the lower control arm (3).
  8. Important: Do not fully tighten the lower control arm to strut assembly retaining bolt (2) and nut (1) at this stage.

  9. Install the lower control arm to rear ESC strut assembly retaining bolt (2) and NEW nut (1).
  10. Do not fully tighten at this stage.


    Object Number: 1959035  Size: SH
  11. Connect the lower control arm (3) to the knuckle (4) using a suitable jack.
  12. Important: Do not fully tighten the lower control arm to knuckle retaining bolt (2) and nut (1) at this stage.

  13. Install the lower control arm to knuckle retaining bolt (2) and NEW nut (1).
  14. Do not fully tighten at this stage.


    Object Number: 1959036  Size: SH
  15. Connect the ESC link (1) to the rear lower control arm (2).
  16. Install the rear wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  17. Remove the safety stands.
  18. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
  19. Bounce the vehicle several times to settle the suspension.

  20. Object Number: 1959098  Size: SH

    Important: The weight of the vehicle must be on a level surface and on all four wheels before fully tightening the nuts and bolts.

  21. Tighten the lower control arm to ESC strut assembly retaining bolt (2) and NEW nut (1).
  22. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt and nut to 80  Nm (59 lb ft).


    Object Number: 1959096  Size: SH
  23. Tighten the lower control arm to knuckle retaining bolt (1) and NEW nut (2).
  24. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt and nut to 105 Nm (77 lb ft).

  25. Connect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection.
  26. Check the wheel alignment of the vehicle. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement.
  27. Correct the wheel alignment of the vehicle, if necessary. Refer to Rear Camber Adjustment, and Rear Toe Adjustment.

Strut Assembly Replacement LWB SWB Clubsport CSV VXR8

Removal Procedure

    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 rear wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  3. Support the lower control arm with a suitable jack.

  4. Object Number: 1958977  Size: SH

    Important:  Prevailing torque nuts must be discarded after removal.

  5. Remove the lower control arm to knuckle retaining bolt (2) and nut (1).
  6. Discard the nut.


    Object Number: 1943695  Size: SH

    Important:  Prevailing torque nuts must be discarded after removal.

  7. Remove the lower control arm to rear strut assembly retaining bolt (2) and nut (1).
  8. Discard the nut.


    Object Number: 1958979  Size: SH

    Important: Do not apply pressure to the rear brake disc backing plate while levering.

  9. Detach the lower control arm (1) using a suitable pry bar.
  10. Reposition the jack as necessary.

    Caution: Refer to General Repair Instructions in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1943706  Size: SH
  11. Remove the rear strut assembly to body retaining bolts (1).

  12. Object Number: 1959113  Size: SH
  13. Remove the rear strut assembly (1) from the vehicle.
  14. Inspect all parts for wear and damage.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 1959113  Size: SH
  1. Install the rear strut assembly (1) into the vehicle.
  2. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1943706  Size: SH
  3. Install the rear strut assembly to body retaining bolts (1).
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 58 N·m (43 lb ft).


    Object Number: 1943680  Size: SH
  5. Connect the rear strut assembly (4) to the lower control arm (3).
  6. Important: Do not fully tighten the lower control arm to strut assembly retaining bolt (2) and nut (1) at this stage.

  7. Install the lower control arm to strut assembly retaining bolt (2) and NEW nut (1).
  8. Do not fully tighten at this stage.


    Object Number: 1959106  Size: SH
  9. Connect the lower control arm (3) to the knuckle (4) using a suitable jack.
  10. Important: Do not fully tighten the lower control arm to knuckle retaining bolt (2) and nut (1) at this stage.

  11. Install the lower control arm to the knuckle retaining bolt (2) and NEW nut (1).
  12. Do not fully tighten at this stage.

  13. Install the rear wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  14. Remove the safety stands.
  15. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
  16. Bounce the vehicle several times to settle the suspension.

  17. Object Number: 1958982  Size: SH

    Important: The weight of the vehicle must be on a level surface and on all four wheels before fully tightening the nuts and bolts.

  18. Tighten the lower control arm to strut assembly retaining bolt (2) and NEW nut (1).
  19. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt and nut a first pass to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).

    Tighten the bolt and nut a final pass 120 Degrees.


    Object Number: 1943699  Size: SH
  20. Tighten the lower control arm to knuckle retaining bolt (2) and NEW nut (1).
  21. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt and nut a first pass to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).

    Tighten the bolt and nut a final pass 120 Degrees.

  22. Check the wheel alignment of the vehicle. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement.
  23. Correct the wheel alignment of the vehicle, if necessary. Refer to Rear Camber Adjustment and Rear Toe Adjustment.