Removal Procedure

CAUTION: Refer to FLOOR JACK CAUTION in Cautions and Notices.

Raise and suitably support the vehicle with safety stands. Refer to LIFTING & JACKING THE VEHICLE in General Information.
Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to TIRE AND WHEEL REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION in Tires and Wheels.
Unload the torsion bar. Refer to Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement .
Remove the wheel speed sensor wiring harness bracket and brake hose bracket mounting bolt and nut from the upper control arm.
Disconnect the wheel speed sensor wiring harness bracket and brake hose bracket from the upper control arm.

Fig 1: Removing Wheel Speed Sensor Wiring Harness Bracket, Brake Hose Bracket Mounting Bolt And Nut From Upper Control Arm (4WD)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the cotter pin from the upper ball joint retaining nut.
Remove the upper ball joint retaining nut.
Using a pry bar, placed under the upper control arm and on top of the frame, pry upward.
With the aid of a helper, carefully hammer on the steering knuckle in the area of the upper ball joint stud in order to release the stud from the steering knuckle.
Remove the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle.
1. 10.1. Place a block under the upper control arm to keep the control arm and the steering knuckle out of the way.
2. 10.2. Suspend the steering knuckle to prevent straining the brake line.
  
  Fig 2: Removing Cotter Pin From Upper Ball Joint Retaining Nut (4WD)
  Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the rivets from the upper ball joint.
Use a 3.175 mm (1/8 in) drill to cut a 6.35 mm (1/4 in) deep hole in the center of each rivet.

Fig 3: Cutting 6.35 mm (1/4 in) Deep Hole In Center Of Each Rivet (4WD)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Drill the rivet heads away using a 12.7 mm (1/2 in) drill.

Fig 4: Drilling Rivet Heads Away Using 12.7 mm (1/2 in) Drill (4WD)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the rivets using a pin punch.
Remove the upper ball joint.

Fig 5: Removing Rivets Using A Pin Punch (4WD)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.