Removal Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Pontiac Firebird and 2002 Chevrolet Camaro. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Raise and suitably support the vehicle.
Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels .
Important: During removal and installation, the floor jack must remain under the shock absorber mounting location on the lower control arm in order to hold the spring and the lower control arm in position.
Place a floor jack under the shock absorber mounting location on the lower control arm.
Remove and discard the upper control arm cotter pin.
Remove the upper control arm nut.
Support the steering knuckle (3) with a floor jack.
Use J 39549 in order to separate the upper ball joint (1) from the steering knuckle (3).

Fig 1: Separating Upper Ball Joint From Steering Knuckle
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
With the upper control arm in a raised position, drill out the four rivets approximately 6 mm (0.25 in) deep using a 1/8-inch drill bit.

Fig 2: Drilling Out Four Rivets
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Drill out the rivet heads using a 1/2-inch drill bit.

Fig 3: Drilling Out Rivet Heads
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Punch out the rivets using a small punch.

Fig 4: Punching Out Rivets
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the upper ball joint.