GMC 19416899 ARM KIT,FRT UPR CONT<SEE GUIDE/CONTACT BFO>

On vehicles built between 1986-87, a special installer, GM tool J-29193 or equivalent, is required. Begin by turning the lug nuts counterclockwise just enough to break the torque, then raise the vehicle and place jackstands under the frame before removing the wheel and tire. Support the outer edge of the lower control arm with a jack to manage the down force of the spring, raising it just enough to free the upper control arm from the upper ball stud. Caution is advised, as removing the upper ball joint stud nut could release the full force of the spring, leading to severe injury. Next, remove the cotter pin from the upper ball joint stud, loosen the nut without removing it, and use a ball joint removal tool to press the ball joint downward until the tapered portion is free from the steering knuckle. Wire the knuckle and associated parts in place to protect the brake hose, then turn off the nut at the end of the ball stud, removing it along with any washers, and lift the upper arm to free the ball stud from the knuckle. Remove the upper control arm shaft-to-bracket nuts and lock washers, pulling the control arm, shaft, and shim packs off the bolts, and consider wiring the shim packs together to prevent loss. For installation, if control arm bushings need replacement, use a special tool to press them out, then assemble the new bushings into the arm and over the shaft from the outer ends, installing the washers and nuts while tightening them just firmly. Replace the control arm by positioning the outer shim packs on the mounting bolts, installing the control arm and shafts, and finally, installing the outer shim packs, followed by attaching and tightening the nuts to 46 ft. lbs. (62 Nm). Reverse the removal steps to complete the installation, tightening the ball joint stud nut to 60-65 ft. lbs. (81-88 Nm) and adjusting as necessary to align the castellation in the nut with the cotter pin hole in the stud before installing a new cotter pin. Finally, tighten the control arm bushing nuts with the vehicle supported by the suspension to specified torque values based on the model year, and tighten the upper control arm-to-frame nuts to 48 ft. lbs. (65 Nm).

To remove the upper control arm, start by loosening the wheel lug nuts and raising the front of the vehicle on jackstands. Support the vehicle securely and remove the wheel. Position a floor jack with a wood block under the lower control arm to relieve spring pressure on the upper control arm. Remove the air cleaner extension if necessary, and disconnect the brake hose bracket and ABS wheel speed sensor from the upper control arm. Disconnect the upper balljoint from the steering knuckle. On 2WD models, remove the pivot shaft nuts, bolts, and shims, noting their location. On 4WD models, mark the positions of the adjuster cams to the frame. Remove the upper control arm pivot bolts and nuts, and inspect the pivot bolt bushings for wear. Replace if necessary. To install the upper control arm, position it in the frame brackets and install the bolts and nuts, ensuring they are facing each other. Do not tighten completely. Attach the balljoint to the steering knuckle and connect the brake hose bracket. Install the wheel and lower the vehicle. Tighten the lug nuts and pivot bolt nuts to the proper specifications. Finally, install the air cleaner extension if it was removed.

Raise the front end of the vehicle and lower the control arm onto a jack for support, then remove the wheel. Separate the upper control arm ball stud and remove the two nuts securing the control arm shaft to the frame bracket, ensuring to tape together the shims for proper reinstallation. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove the upper control arm attaching bolts for clearance; gently tap the bolt downwards with a brass drift, pry it upwards with a suitable box wrench, and then use a pry bar and block of wood to remove the bolts from the frame. After removing the upper control arm, inspect the control arm pivot bushings; if they are worn, consider having them replaced by a GM dealer, or use a long bolt and tubular spacers for removal and installation if doing it yourself. When installing, loosen the end shaft retainer bolts or nuts, position the new control arm attaching bolts loosely in the frame, and install the control arm cross-shaft on the attaching bolts. Use a normal free-running nut to tighten the serrated bolts onto their seats, then remove the free-running nuts and fit the regular locknuts once the splined bolts are seated. Install the shims in their original fitted positions and torque-tighten the nuts, starting with the thinner shim pack nut for better clamping force. Install the ball stud through the knuckle, torque-tighten the nut, align the cotter pin holes, and fit a new cotter pin. Finally, fit the wheel, lower the vehicle to the floor, and torque-tighten the shaft retainer bolts or nuts.

To remove the upper control arm, start by loosening the wheel lug nuts and raising the front of the vehicle on jackstands. Support the vehicle securely and remove the wheel. Position a floor jack with a wood block under the lower control arm to relieve spring pressure on the upper control arm. Remove the air cleaner extension if necessary, and disconnect the brake hose bracket and ABS wheel speed sensor from the upper control arm. Disconnect the upper balljoint from the steering knuckle. On 2WD models, remove the pivot shaft nuts, bolts, and shims, noting their location. On 4WD models, mark the positions of the adjuster cams to the frame. Remove the upper control arm pivot bolts and nuts, and inspect the pivot bolt bushings for wear. Replace if necessary. To install the upper control arm, position it in the frame brackets and install the bolts and nuts, ensuring they are facing each other. Do not tighten completely. Attach the balljoint to the steering knuckle and connect the brake hose bracket. Install the wheel and lower the vehicle. Tighten the lug nuts and pivot bolt nuts to the proper specifications. Finally, install the air cleaner extension if it was removed.

Place a jack about 1/2 in. (13mm) below the lower ball joint stud.

To install the control arm, reverse the removal steps, making sure to tighten all fasteners to the suitable torque specifications once the vehicle is at normal ride height.

Remove the rear springs as specified.

For installation, follow the reverse of the removal procedure and torque-tighten the nuts to the specified torque.

Start by loosening the wheel lug nuts and raising the front of the vehicle on jackstands.

To install the control arm using the alternative method, raise it into position and install the control arm pivot bolts, washers, and nuts without fully tightening them. Carefully raise the lower control arm with a floor jack until the balljoint stud can be inserted into the hole in the steering knuckle. Install the balljoint stud nut, tighten it to the proper torque, and install a new cotter pin. Install the torsion bar, connect the stabilizer bar, and install the shock absorber. Finally, install the wheel and lug nuts, lower the vehicle, and tighten the lug nuts to the torque specifications. Tighten the lower control arm pivot bolts to the correct torque specifications and install the splash shield if applicable. Measure the vehicle's ride height on each side and adjust the torsion bar accordingly until the vehicle sits level.

Raise the front end of the vehicle and lower the control arm onto a jack for support, then remove the wheel.

If the control arm pivot bushings are worn, it is advisable to have them replaced by a GM dealer.

Remove the pivot shaft nuts, bolts, and shims, noting their location.

To install the control arm, reverse the removal steps, making sure to tighten all fasteners to the suitable torque specifications once the vehicle is at normal ride height.

To install the control arm using the alternative method, raise it into position and install the control arm pivot bolts, washers, and nuts without fully tightening them. Carefully raise the lower control arm with a floor jack until the balljoint stud can be inserted into the hole in the steering knuckle. Install the balljoint stud nut, tighten it to the proper torque, and install a new cotter pin. Install the torsion bar, connect the stabilizer bar, and install the shock absorber. Finally, install the wheel and lug nuts, lower the vehicle, and tighten the lug nuts to the torque specifications. Tighten the lower control arm pivot bolts to the correct torque specifications and install the splash shield if applicable. Measure the vehicle's ride height on each side and adjust the torsion bar accordingly until the vehicle sits level.