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Home >> GMC >> 2003 >> Safari Van Cargo, AWD >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Suspension >> Front Suspension >> Front Suspension System >> Repair Instructions >> Upper Ball Joint Replacement (RWD) >> Removal procedure

Removal procedure

  1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to JACKING AND LIFTING in General Information.
    CAUTION: Refer to FLOOR JACK CAUTION on Cautions and Notices.
  2. Support the lower control arm with a safety stand.
    Fig 1: Supporting Lower Control Arm With Safety Stand
    G01646213Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  3. Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to TIRE AND WHEEL REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION in Tires and Wheels.
  4. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor connector from the upper control arm.
  5. Remove the cotter pin and upper ball joint retaining nut.
    Fig 2: Removing Cotter Pin And Upper Ball Joint Retaining Nut
    G01646214Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  6. Separate the upper pin ball joint from the steering knuckle using J 23742. 

    Apply pressure on the tool until the stud braked loose.

    Fig 3: Separating Upper Pin Ball Joint From Steering Knuckle
    G01646215Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  7. Remove J 23742. 
  8. Pull the steering knuckle free from the upper ball joint.
  9. Support the steering knuckle in order to prevent the steering knuckle weight from damaging the brake hose.
  10. Use a 3.175 mm (1/8 in) drill bit in order to cut 6.35 mm (1/4 in) deep holes in center of each rivet head.
    Fig 4: Making Hole In Center Of Rivet Head
    G01646216Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  11. Drill away the rivet heads using a 12.7 mm (1/2 in) drill bit.
    Fig 5: Drilling Rivet Heads Using Drill Bit
    G01646217Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  12. Using a small pin punch, punch out of the rivets.
    Fig 6: Punching Rivets Using Small Pin Punch
    G01646218Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  13. Remove the upper ball joint from the upper control arm.


  1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to JACKING AND LIFTING in General Information.
    CAUTION: Refer to FLOOR JACK CAUTION in Cautions and Notices.
  2. Support the lower control arm with a safety stand.
    Fig 1: Supporting Lower Control Arm With Safety Stand
    G01646221Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  3. Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to TIRE AND WHEEL REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION in Tires and Wheels.
  4. Remove the brake hose bracket mounting bolt and nut.
  5. Remove the brake hose bracket from the upper control arm.
    Fig 2: Removing Brake Hose Bracket
    G01646222Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  6. Remove the speed sensor bracket mounting bolt and nut.
    Fig 3: Removing Speed Sensor Bracket Mounting Bolt And Nut
    G01646223Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  7. Remove the speed sensor bracket from the upper control arm.
  8. Center punch rivets retaining the upper ball joint to the upper control arm. Use a 3.175 mm (1/8 in) drill bit to cut a 6.35 mm (1/4 in) deep hole in the center of each rivet.
    Fig 4: Making Hole In Center Of Rivet Using Drill Bit
    G01646224Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  9. Drill the rivet heads away using a 12.7 mm (1/2 in) drill bit.
    Fig 5: Drilling Away Rivet Heads
    G01646225Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  10. Using a pin punch, remove the rivets from the ball joint.
    Fig 6: Removing Rivets From Ball Joint Using Pin Punch
    G01646226Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  11. Remove the cotter pin from the upper ball joint.
  12. Remove the upper ball joint retaining nut.
    Fig 7: Removing Upper Ball Joint Retaining Nut
    G01646227Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  13. Install the J 36607  to the ball joint and steering knuckle.
  14. Disconnect the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle using J 36607. 
  15. Pull the upper control arm away from the steering knuckle.
    Fig 8: Pulling Upper Control Arm Away From Steering Knuckle
    G01646228Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  16. Remove the upper ball joint.
  17. Remove the rivets from the upper control arm.
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