Oldsmobile 12524204 Front Upper Control Arm Assembly (Lh)

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 reinstallation in the same position; note that 1969 and 1970 sedans do not have shims as a strut rod and eccentric pivot bolt are used for caster and camber adjustment. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove the upper control arm attaching bolts for clearance, which are splined and can be removed by tapping them gently downwards with a brass drift, prying them upwards with a suitable box wrench, and then using a pry bar and block of wood to extract them from the frame. After removing the upper control arm, inspect the control arm pivot bushings; if they are worn, replacement is best handled by a GM dealer, but if you proceed without a press, use a long bolt and tubular spacers for removal and installation. 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, once the splined bolts are seated, remove the free-running nuts and fit the regular locknuts. Install the shims in their original positions and tighten the nuts to the specified torque, starting with the thinner shim pack nut for better clamping force and torque retention. Install the ball stud through the knuckle, tighten the nut to the specified torque, further tighten to align the cotter pin holes, and fit a new cotter pin. Finally, fit the wheel, lower the vehicle to the floor, and tighten the shaft retainer bolts or nuts to the specified torque.