GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Upper Control Arm Replacement 2WD, Z85, ZQ8

Special Tools

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 at ride height.
  4. Remove the wheel speed sensor bracket bolt.
  5. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor brackets.
  6. Disconnect the front brake hose from the upper control arm. Refer to Front Brake Hose Replacement.

  7. Object Number: 942355  Size: SH
  8. Remove the nut at the upper ball joint. Discard the nut.

  9. Object Number: 940690  Size: SH
  10. Remove the upper control arm bolts.
  11. Disconnect the upper control arm from the steering knuckle using J-42188-B .
  12. Remove the upper control arm.

Installation Procedure

  1. Install the upper control arm.
  2. Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 940690  Size: SH
  3. Install the upper control arm bolts and tighten to 160 N·m (118 lb ft).

  4. Object Number: 942355  Size: SH
  5. Connect the upper control arm to the steering knuckle.
  6. Install the new nut to the upper ball joint stud and tighten the nut to 100 N·m (74 lb ft).
  7. Connect the wheel speed sensor brackets.
  8. Install the wheel speed sensor bracket bolt and tighten to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).
  9. Connect the front brake hose to the upper control arm. Refer to Front Brake Hose Replacement.
  10. Remove the lower control arm support.
  11. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  12. Lower the vehicle.
  13. Verify the wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications.

Upper Control Arm Replacement 4WD, 2WD, Z71

Special Tools

J 45938 Alignment Socket

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 at ride height.
  4. Remove the wheel speed sensor bracket bolt.
  5. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor brackets.
  6. Disconnect the front brake hose from the frame bracket. Refer to Front Brake Hose Replacement.
  7. Remove the front shock. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement.

  8. Object Number: 940635  Size: SH
  9. Disconnect the upper control arm from the ball stud by removing the retention nuts.

  10. Object Number: 942361  Size: SH
  11. Remove the upper control arm nuts and the adjustment cams.
  12. Remove the upper control arm bolts.
  13. Remove the upper control arm.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 942361  Size: SH
  1. Install the upper control arm.
  2. Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

  3. Install the upper control arm nuts and the adjustment cams.
  4. Using the J 45938 , tighten the nuts to 155 N·m (114 lb ft).


    Object Number: 940635  Size: SH
  5. Connect the upper control arm to the ball stud by installing the retention nuts and tighten to 64 N·m (47 lb ft).
  6. Connect the wheel speed sensor brackets.
  7. Install the wheel speed sensor bracket bolt and tighten to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).
  8. Connect the front brake hose to the frame bracket. Refer to Front Brake Hose Replacement.
  9. Install the front shock. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement.
  10. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  11. Remove the lower control arm support.
  12. Lower the vehicle.
  13. Verify the wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications.