Removal
REMOVE1. Raise vehicle on jack stands or centered on a frame contact type hoist using proper vehicle lifting procedures.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly from the vehicle.
Ball Joint Heat Shield With 15 Inch Wheels:
3. If the vehicle is equipped with 15 inch wheels the heat shield will need to be removed before the lower control arm can be separated from the steering knuckle. Use the following procedure to remove the heat shield.
Fig. 28:
Stored Disc Brake Caliper:
4. Remove the 2 bolts attaching the disc brake caliper to the steering knuckle. Remove the disc brake caliper from the steering knuckle. Using wire or an equivalent, hang caliper from upper control arm so weight of caliper is not supported by the brake flex hose.
5. Remove the 2 bolts attaching the heat shield to the steering knuckle. Remove heat shield from steering knuckle.
6. Remove brake rotor from front hub/bearing assembly.
Fig. 35:
7. Remove cotter pin and castle nut from stud of lower ball joint.
CAUTION: No tool is to be inserted between the steering knuckle and the lower ball joint to separate the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle. The steering knuckle is to be separated from the ball joint only using the procedure as described in step Step 8 below.
Separating Lower Ball Joint Stud From Steering Knuckle:
8. Turn steering knuckle so the front of the steering knuckle is facing as far outboard in the wheel opening as possible. Using a hammer strike steering knuckle boss until steering knuckle separates from the lower ball joint. When striking steering knuckle care MUST be taken not to hit lower control arm or ball joint grease seal.
Clevis To Lower Control Arm Attachment:
9. Remove the shock absorber clevis to lower control arm bushing thru-bolt. Separate clevis from lower control arm.
10. Remove nut attaching stabilizer bar link to lower control arm. When are moving nut, hold stud of stabilizer bar link from turning by inserting an allen wrench in the end of the stud.
Stabilizer Bar Bushing Clamp Attachment To Vehicle:
11. Remove the bolts attaching one stabilizer bar bushing clamp to the front suspension crossmember and the body of the vehicle.
12. Lower the one side of the stabilizer bar away from the lower control arm and body of vehicle.
Lower Control Arm Attachment To Front Suspension Crossmember:
13. Remove the nut and bolt attaching the lower control arm to the front suspension crossmember.
Attaching Front Of Lower Control Arm To Suspension Crossmember:
14. Remove nut and bolt attaching the front of the lower control arm to the front suspension crossmember.
CAUTION: When removing lower control arm from crossmember care must be taken to prevent hitting lower ball joint seal against steering knuckle, causing damage to the ball joint seal.
15. Remove the front of the lower control arm from the front suspension crossmember first.
16. Then, remove the rear of the lower control arm from the front suspension crossmember. When removing rear of lower control arm from crossmember, keep control arm as level as possible. This will keep rear bushing from binding on crossmember making it easier to remove control arm from crossmember.