GM 22868629
Lower Control Arm, Rear

Replacing the lower Control Arm on 2500 series vehicles requires a floor jack and safety stand as first steps to secure the vehicle. Start by removing the tire and wheel before detaching stabilizer shaft links from the lower Control Arm followed by Shock Absorber module and torsion bars and wheel drive shafts. Use the j 43631 (Ball Joint Separator) along with j 45851 (Ball Joint Separator Protector Adapters) to separate the lower Ball Joint from the Steering Knuckle after removing its retaining nut. Start by taking off the lower Control Arm nuts with their washers and move to remove the Control Arm bolts before extracting the Control Arm itself. Place the new lower Control Arm in position then install it with the Control Arm bolts while following the fastener notice. Tighten the lower Control Arm retaining nuts to a torque of 175 n.m (129 lb ft). The installation process begins with Torsion Bar placement followed by Steering Knuckle lower Ball Joint installation and wheel drive shaft installation. After these mounting stages complete, apply 100 n.m (74 lb ft) torque to the lower Ball Joint retaining nut. To complete the repair you should install the shock module followed by the stabilizer shaft links to the lower Control Arm then install tire and wheel followed by safety stands removal and vehicle lowering followed by front end alignment.

Replace the lower Control Arm on a 1500 series by starting to lift and support the vehicle followed by using a safety stand to hold the lower Control Arm. Take off the tire and the wheel, then the stabilizer shaft links off the lower Control Arm. Next, remove the two lower shock absorber module mount bolts and, if applicable, floor drive shaft nut. Remove the lower Ball Joint retaining nut, then using j 43631, (Ball Joint Separator) and j 45851, (Ball Joint Separator Protector Adapters) disconnect the bottom Ball Joint to the Steering Knuckle. Move on to remove the lower Control Arm nuts and washers; remove the Control Arm bolts; then, take out the Control Arm. To install, place the lower Control Arm and install the Control Arm bolts and washers which should be followed by observation of fastener notice. Make sure you tighten the lower Control Arm retaining nuts to 175 n.m (129 lb ft). Mount the lower Ball Joint into the Steering Knuckle and if installed, mount the wheel drive shaft with a nut that is tightened to 240 n.m (177 lb ft). Install the lower Ball Joint retaining nut and tighten to 100 n.m (74 lb ft) then followed by the installation of the two lower shock absorber module mount bolts which should tighten to 50 n.m (37 lb ft). Reattach the stailizer shaft links to the lower Control Arm, install the tire and wheel, as well as remove the safety stands, lower the vehicle and finally align the front end.

The replacement process for the rear axle lower control arm requires support for the vehicle when elevated. You need to first remove the lower control arm retaining nuts and the retaining bolt before extracting the lower control arm. The first step for installation involves putting in the lower control arm followed by the retaining bolts and their installation procedure must wait until reaching ride height according to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices. Put in the lower control arm retaining nut next followed by tightening the retaining bolts to 120 Nm (89 ft. lbs.). To complete the procedure first remove the rear axle support and lower the vehicle.

Replacing the lower Control Arm (2500) requires initial vehicle lifting and then tire/wheel removal. First disconnect the stabilizer shaft link from the lower Control Arm before removing the torsion bars and shock absorber. The wheel drive shaft must be taken out next until the lower Ball Joint retaining nut needs disposal. You should use j 43631 - ball joint separator in combination with j 45851 - ball joint separator protector adapters to pull the lower Ball Joint out of the Steering Knuckle. Start by washing away the Control Arm nuts and washers before removing Control Arm bolts and Control Arm assembly. Lower Control Arm must be positioned before you install the Control Arm bolts along with washers . Secure the lower Control Arm retaining nuts into place while tightening them to 175 nm (129 lb ft). To install the lower Ball Joint into the Steering Knuckle, use a proper nut as follows: with captured washer reach 125 nm (92 lb ft) torque or without captured washer reach 50 nm torque plus 130 degrees (37 lb ft) torque. Secure the wheel drive shaft then reinstall the shock absorber and torsion bars. Begin by taking out support for both knuckle and upper Control Arm. Next attach stabilizer shaft link to lower Control Arm. After reinstalling the tire and wheel you must remove supports before lowering the vehicle to check front end alignment.

Use mechanics wire or equivalent to support the knuckle and upper control arm.

Take out the upper control arm.

Remove the rear axle support and lower the vehicle.

100 Nm (74 lb ft) plus 55 degrees.

Tighten to 100 Nm (74 lb ft) plus 55 degrees.

Use the Ball Joint Separator (J-42188-B).

Remove and discard it.

Remove the lower control arm retaining nuts and the retaining bolt, then take out the lower control arm.

Install the lower control arm 15-series bolts, and then the 25/35-series bolts, ensuring to tighten the nuts to 175 Nm (129 ft. lbs.).

Nuts should not be tightened until the suspension is at the curb height position.

Begin by installing the lower control arm.

Reinstall the tire and wheel, remove the supports, lower the vehicle, and verify the front end alignment.

Reinstall the wheel drive shaft and connect the lower ball joint stud to the steering knuckle, securing it with the retaining nut tightened to 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.).

Reconnect the RTD sensor if equipped.

Remove the support for the steering knuckle and upper control arm, then reinstall the wheel drive shaft if applicable.

Connect the upper control arm to the steering knuckle and install a new nut to the upper ball joint stud, tightening it to 50 Nm (37 lb ft).

150 Nm (110 ft. lbs.).

Use the Ball Joint Separator (J43631).

Install the lower control arm and the retaining bolts.

Tighten the upper control arm retaining bolts to 105 Nm (77 ft. lbs.).

Remove the upper control arm retaining nut and bolt from the frame bracket, then the retaining nut and bolt from the axle bracket.

Take out the lower control arm.

Disconnect the ESC sensor.

Support the knuckle assembly and upper control arm using mechanics wire.

Install the lower control arm bolts (15 Series) and the lower control arm nuts and washers (15 Series), tightening the nuts to 145 Nm (107 ft. lbs.).

The tire and wheel.

Remove the upper control arm nuts and adjustment cams for both the 15 Series RWD, 4WD, and 25 Series RWD, as well as the upper control arm bolts for each series.

Connect it and install a new nut on the upper ball joint stud, tightening it to 50 Nm (39 lb ft).

Position the upper control arm and secure it with the retaining bolt and nut to the axle bracket, followed by the retaining bolt to the frame bracket.

Remove the lower control arm nuts and the 15-series washers, then the lower control arm bolts, followed by the lower control arm nuts and the 25/35-series washers, and finally the lower control arm itself.

Secure the retaining bolt to the frame bracket.