Removal Procedure
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 8 other vehicles, including the 2011 GMC Yukon XL, 2011 GMC Yukon, 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe, 2011 Chevrolet Suburban, and 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
NOTE:
For vehicles equipped with the aluminum lower control arm, the ball joint is NOT service separately. If the ball joint in the aluminum lower control arm is found to have excessive wear and is damaged, replace the lower control arm as an assembly.
- Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
- Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
- Remove the stabilizer shaft link from the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (1500) , Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (2500) .
- Remove the wheel drive shaft, if equipped. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement (2500) , Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement (1500) .
- Using mechanics wire or equivalent, support the knuckle assembly and upper control arm.
- Remove and discard the lower ball joint retaining nut (1).
- Remove the lower shock module bolts from the lower control arm.
- Using the J-43631 separator and the J-45851 adapters, remove the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle.
- Remove the lower control arm nuts (1) and washers (2).
- Remove the control arm bolts (3).
- Remove the control arm (4).
NOTE:
For vehicles equipped with the aluminum control arm, the ball joint is NOT serviced separately. If the ball joint is found to have excessive wear and is damaged, replace the lower control arm as an assembly.
- Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
- Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
- Remove the stabilizer shaft link from the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (2500) , Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (1500) .
- Remove the torsion bars. Refer to Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement (Link Style) .
- Remove the shock absorber. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement (2500 Series) .
- Remove the wheel drive shaft. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement (2500) , Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement (1500) .
- Remove and discard the lower ball joint retaining nut.
- Using the J-43631 separator and the J-45851 adapters, remove the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle.
- Remove the lower control arm nuts (1) and washers (2).
- Remove the control arm bolts (3).
- Remove the control arm (4).