Removal

NOTE: When removal and replacement of the upper control arm is performed on this vehicle, the vehicle MUST have a full alignment done after installing the upper control arm.





1. Remove the grill from the vehicle. Refer to illustration for the grill attachment fastener locations.
2. Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a frame contact type hoist.





3. Unclip the front fascia from the front valance panel. Refer to illustration for the location of the retaining clips.





4. Remove the routing clip attaching the wiring harness to the frame crossmember.





5. Remove the lower mounting bolt and flag nut from the shock absorber on the side of the vehicle requiring removal of the upper control arm.

NOTE: The shock absorber can not be removed from the frame crossmember unless the lower mounting bolt for the opposite shock absorber is also loosened.

6. Loosen but do not remove the lower mounting bolt for the shock absorber on the opposite side of the vehicle.
7. Lower the vehicle until the weight of the vehicle is lightly supported by the front tires.





8. Remove the shock absorber to rocker arm mounting bolt.
9. Remove the shock absorber from the vehicle.





10. Remove the nut and bolt mounting the push rod to the towel control arm.
11. Raise vehicle until front tires are just off the ground.





12. Remove the nut and bolt, mounting the stabilizer bar attaching link to the rocker arm.





13. Remove the stabilizer bar attaching link to rocker arm mounting bolt. Bolt is remove by pulling the bolt forward until the end of the bolt is out of the rocker arm and then tilting the stabilizer bar attaching link inward to remove the bolt from the attaching link.

NOTE: When removing the center cap from the wheel do not use a sharp or hard tool. Use of such a tool can mare the finish on the wheel and damage the center cap.





14. Remove the center cap from the wheel. Center cap is removed by inserting a trim stick into the notch on the center cap and prying it off the wheel.
15. Remove the wheel and tire.

NOTE: The lower control arm on this vehicle has a clear-coat finish applied to it. Place a shop towel or other suitable protective material on the plate of the transmission jack to protect the clear-coat finish from being damaged.





16. Place a transmission jack under the lower control arm. The transmission jack will support the suspension when the ball joint on the upper control arm is removed from the steering knuckle.





17. Remove the nut and washer from the stud of the upper ball joint.





18. Place Remover, Special Tool 6998, or equivalent over lower ball joint stud nut. Position Remover, Special Tool 6998, or equivalent so it is seated squarely on the steering knuckle.





19. Place the threaded end of Remover, Special Tool 6998, or equivalent against the stud of the upper control arm ball joint.

CAUTION: When separating the ball joint stud from the steering knuckle, do not strike or apply heat to the steering knuckle to help the stud separate from the steering knuckle.

20. Hold the end of the Remover, Special Tool 6998, or equivalent that is against the steering knuckle steady while turning the threaded end against the stud of the upper ball joint. This will press the stud of the upper ball joint out of the steering knuckle.

NOTE: When removing the cam bolts, move the rocker arm up as far as possible and move the push rod outward for clearance to remove the cam bolts.





21. Remove the nuts and cam bolts mounting the upper control arm to the frame brackets.
22. Remove the upper control arm from the vehicle.