Steering Arm, Knuckle & Ball Joints - Except V30/3500: Removal
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 8 other vehicles, including the 1990 GMC Suburban, 1990 GMC Pickup, 1990 GMC Jimmy, 1990 GMC Cab & Chassis, and 1990 Chevrolet Suburban. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheels. Remove locking hub, hub and rotor assembly, and spindle components. Detach tie rod end from steering knuckle.
- Remove left side steering arm only if ball joints are being replaced on that side. Remove steering arm nuts and adapters. See Figure . Discard self-locking nuts for steering arm. New nuts must be used on installation. Remove steering arm.
- Remove cotter pins and nuts from ball joint studs. Separate steering knuckle assembly from ball joints.
CAUTION:
DO NOT remove yoke upper ball joint stud adjusting ring unless new ball joints are being installed. If it is necessary to loosen adjusting ring to remove knuckle, DO NOT loosen more than 2 threads using Ball Stud Nut Wrench (J-23447
). Non-hardened threads in yoke can be easily damaged by hardened threads of adjusting ring.