Removal Procedure

Raise the front of the vehicle. Refer to LIFTING & JACKING THE VEHICLE in General Information.
- Support the lower control arm with floor stands.
- Place floor stands under the lower control arms as far outboard as possible (between spring seats and ball joint) to maintain maximum leverage.
Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to TIRE AND WHEEL REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION in Tires and Wheels.
Unload the torsion bar. Refer to Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement .

Fig 1: Supporting Lower Control Arm With Floor Stands (4WD)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the shock absorber. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement (RWD) or Shock Absorber Replacement (4WD) .
Remove the cotter pin from the upper ball joint stud.
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.

Fig 2: Removing Cotter Pin From Upper Ball Joint Stud (4WD)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the upper control arm retaining nuts.
Remove the upper control arm outer cams.
Remove the upper control arm bolts.
Remove the upper control arm inner cams.
Remove the upper control arm from the frame.

Fig 3: Removing Upper Control Arm Retaining Nuts (4WD)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the upper control arm bumper nut.
Remove the upper control arm bumper from the upper control arm.

Fig 4: Removing Upper Control Arm Bumper And Nuts From Upper Control Arm (4WD)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.