Front Lower

Removal Procedure

- Tools Required
- J6627-A Tie Rod/Wheel Stud Remover
- J36660-A Torque/Angle Meter
- J42089 Linkage Installer
1. Raise and Support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the front wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.





3. Remove the brake pad wear indicator rubber sleeve from the strut assembly.





4. Remove the wheel speed sensor bolt.
5. Remove the wheel speed sensor.
6. Remove the brake hose from the strut bracket.





7. Remove the brake caliper assembly bolts from the steering knuckle.
8. Remove the brake caliper assembly from the steering knuckle.

Important: Support the brake caliper assembly. Do not allow it to hang freely or damage may occur to the flex hose.

9. DO NOT open the brake hydraulic system.





10. Remove the outer tie rod ball stud nut.
11. Use J6627-A to remove the outer tie rod from the steering knuckle.





12. Remove the stabilizer shaft link nut from the stabilizer shaft. Use a 17 mm wrench to counter hold if necessary.





13. Remove the steering knuckle bolts from the strut.
14. Remove the steering knuckle from the strut.





15. Remove the lower control arm ball stud pinch bolt (1)
16. Remove the steering knuckle from the lower control arm ball stud. The brake disc rotor and the wheel hub will still be attached when the steering knuckle is removed.





17. Loosen the lower control arm horizontal bolts.





18. Loosen the lower control arm vertical bolts.
19. Lower the control arm horizontal bolt.
20. Rotate the lower control arm from the support bracket.
21. Lower the control arm vertical bolt.
22. Lower the control arm.

Installation Procedure





1. Install the lower control arm.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

Important: Use new lower control arm bolts.

2. Install the lower control arm vertical bolt.
- Tighten the lower control arm vertical bolt until snug. The bolt will not be tightened to specifications until the lower control arm horizontal bolt is installed.
3. Position the front of the lower control arm into the support bracket.

Important: Ensure that the lower control arm is in the horizontal position prior to tightening the bolts. This will prevent the lower control arm bushings from binding when vehicle load is applied.





4. Install the lower control arm horizontal bolt by inserting the bolt from the rearward side of the vehicle.
- Tighten the lower control arm horizontal bolt to 140 Nm (103 ft. lbs.).
- Tighten the lower control arm vertical bolt to 140 Nm (103 ft. lbs.).
5. Install the steering knuckle to the lower control arm ball stud.





6. Install a new lower control arm ball stud pinch bolt (1) from the rear toward the front of the vehicle.
- Tighten the lower control arm ball stud pinch bolt to 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.).





7. Install the steering knuckle to the strut.
8. Install the steering knuckle to the strut bolts (use new bolts) from the front toward the rear of the vehicle.
- Tighten the steering knuckle to the strut bolts until snug. The bolt will not be tightened to specifications until after the final camber corrections have been made.





9. Install the stabilizer shaft link to the stabilizer shaft.
10. Install the stabilizer shaft link nut.
- Tighten the stabilizer shaft link nut to 65 Nm (48 ft. lbs.).
- Use a 17 mm wrench to counter hold is necessary.

Important: Inspect the threads on the ball stud. If the threads are not clean and if the threads are not smooth, the ball stud may turn inside the inner tie rod when attempting to tighten the nut during installation. If the threads are damaged and repair is possible, use an appropriate size die to clean the threads.

11. Install the outer tie rod to the steering knuckle.
12. Install the J42089to the tie rod ball stud.
- Tighten the J42089 to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.) to allow the ball stud taper to seat.
13. Remove the J42089 from the tie rod ball stud.

Important: Use a new self-locking tie rod nut.

14. Install the outer tie rod nut.
- Tighten the outer tie rod nut to 60 Nm (44 ft. lbs.).

Important:
- Run a M12 x 1.5 tap through the holes for the brake caliper assembly bolts to clean out the old locking compound.
- Use new bolts for the brake caliper assembly connection to the steering knuckle.
- Coat the bolts with locking compound. Use GM P/N 12345493 Goodwrench 272 Threadlocker, or equivalent.





15. Install the brake caliper assembly to the steering knuckle.
Use the J36660-A to tighten the brake caliper assembly bolts to 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.) + 37 degrees.
16. Install the brake hose to the strut bracket with a clip.





17. Install the wheel speed sensor.
18. Install the wheel speed sensor bolt.
- Tighten the wheel speed sensor bolt to 8 Nm (71 inch lbs.).





19. Install the brake pad wear indicator rubber sleeve to the strut assembly.
20. Install the front wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
21. Lower the vehicle.
22. Adjust the wheel alignment. Refer to Measuring Wheel Alignment.