GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement 2WD, Z85, ZQ8

Tools Required

J-42188-B Ball Joint Separator

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  3. Support the lower control arm with a suitable jack stand.
  4. Disconnect the front brake hose from the upper control arm. Refer to Front Brake Hose Replacement .
  5. Remove the wheel speed sensor bracket bolt.
  6. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor brackets.

  7. Object Number: 942355  Size: SH
  8. Remove the nut from the upper ball joint. Discard the nut.
  9. Disconnect the ball joint from the steering knuckle using the J-42188-B .

  10. Object Number: 1241421  Size: SH
  11. Remove the ball joint nuts and bolts from the upper control arm. Discard the nuts and bolts.
  12. Remove the ball joint from the upper control arm.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 1241421  Size: SH
  1. Install the ball joint to the upper control arm.
  2. Install the replacement bolts to the upper control arm.
  3. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  4. Install the nuts to the bolts.
  5. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 16 N·m (12 lb ft).

  6. Connect the ball joint to the steering knuckle.

  7. Object Number: 942355  Size: SH
  8. Install the new nut to the upper ball joint.
  9. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 100 N·m (74 lb ft).

  10. Connect the wheel speed sensor brackets.
  11. Install the wheel speed sensor bracket bolt.
  12. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).

  13. Connect the front brake hose to the upper control arm. Refer to Front Brake Hose Replacement .
  14. Remove the support from the lower control arm.
  15. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  16. Lower the vehicle.
  17. Verify the wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications .

Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement 4WD,2WD Z71

Tools Required

J-42188-B Ball Joint Separator

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  3. Support the lower control arm with a suitable jack stand.
  4. Disconnect the front brake hose from the upper control arm. Refer to Front Brake Hose Replacement .
  5. Remove the wheel speed sensor bracket bolt.
  6. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor brackets.

  7. Object Number: 940635  Size: SH
  8. Disconnect the upper control arm from the ball stud by removing the retention nuts. Discard the nuts.
  9. Remove the nut from the upper ball joint. Discard the nut.
  10. Disconnect the ball joint from the steering knuckle using the J-42188-B .
  11. Remove the ball joint from the steering knuckle.

Installation Procedure

  1. Install the ball joint to the steering knuckle.
  2. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  3. Install the new nut to the upper ball joint.
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).


    Object Number: 940635  Size: SH
  5. Connect the upper control arm to the ball stud by installing the retention nuts.
  6. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 47 N·m (35 lb ft).

  7. Connect the wheel speed sensor brackets.
  8. Install the wheel speed sensor bracket bolt.
  9. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).

  10. Connect the front brake hose to the upper control arm. Refer to Front Brake Hose Replacement .
  11. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  12. Remove the lower control arm support.
  13. Lower the vehicle.
  14. Verify the wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications .