Document ID# 873919
1998 Saturn SL2/SC2/SW2
 

Lower Control Arm Replacement

For Reference

Replacing Front Lower Control Arms by SATURNFAN bbarbulo

richpin06a Replacing Lower Control Arm Ball Joint

Tools Required

SA9132S Lower Control Arm Ball Stud Separator

Removal Procedure

    Object Number: 865720  Size: SH
    Click here for detailed picture of above image.

    Caution

    Ensure that the vehicle is properly supported and squarely positioned. To help avoid personal injury when a vehicle is on a hoist, provide additional support for the vehicle on the opposite end from which the components are being removed.

  1. Raise vehicle on hoist.
  2. Remove road wheel.
  3. Remove and discard lower control arm ball stud cotter pin.
  4. Loosen lower control arm ball stud castle nut, until top of castle nut is level with top of ball stud.

  5. Object Number: 871526  Size: SH
    Click here for detailed picture of above image.

    Notice

    Care must be taken to prevent damage to the speed sensor ring on ABS vehicles. Minor surface damage to the speed sensor ring can result in ABS system malfunctions.

    Notice

    Do not attempt to separate the joint using a wedge-type tool because seal may be damaged.

  6. Using SA9132S (or equivalent), separate lower control arm from knuckle.
  7. Remove lower control arm ball stud castle nut.

  8. Object Number: 860035  Size: SH
    Click here for detailed picture of above image.
  9. Remove front inner fender splash shield.
    1. Remove the 2 push pins.
    2. Important

      If molded-in fasteners are damaged or broken, drill out with a 5/16 in. bit and replace with a push pin.

    3. Remove lower shield to cradle molded-in fasteners at cradle by gently prying at three fastener locations.

    Object Number: 864962  Size: SH
    Click here for detailed picture of above image.
  10. Remove the lower control arm-to-cradle fastener.
  11. Remove front stabilizer shaft nut at lower control arm.
  12. Remove lower control arm from vehicle.
Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 864962  Size: SH
    Click here for detailed picture of above image.
  1. Install control arm onto front stabilizer shaft.
  2. Important

    Do not install nut at this time.

  3. Position end of control arm into the cradle and install fastener.
  4. Tighten
  5. Install control arm-to-front stabilizer shaft fastener nut.
  6. Tighten

    Tighten the Control Arm-to-Front Stabilizer Shaft Nut to 144 N·m (106 lb ft).


    Object Number: 859109  Size: SH
    Click here for detailed picture of above image.

    Important

    Lower control arm ball stud threads should be thoroughly cleaned and lubricated before installing and tightening nut.

    Important

    If necessary to rotate castle nut to orient it to hole in the stud, always tighten nut; never loosen it.

  7. Connect ball stud to steering knuckle with fastener. Torque and install new cotter pin.
  8. Tighten

    Tighten the Ball Joint Stud Castle Nut to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).


    Object Number: 860035  Size: SH
    Click here for detailed picture of above image.

    Important

    On left side, install rear section of splash shield first, then front. On right side, install front section of splash shield first, then rear.

  9. Install front inner fender splash shield.
  10. Install tabs in body cut-out.
  11. Important

    Make sure splash shield flaps are tucked in at body locations.

  12. Align molded-in shield fasteners with holes in cradle. Push straight in to install.
  13. Install push pins.
  14. Notice

    Before installing wheels, remove rust or corrosion from wheel mounting surfaces and brake rotors/drums. Failure to do so can cause wheel nuts to loosen in service.

  15. Position wheel onto hub.
  16. Install wheel nuts and tighten in a crisscross pattern. Repeat tightening pattern to make sure torque is correct.
  17. Tighten

    Tighten Wheel Nuts 140 N·m (103 lb ft).

  18. Lower vehicle from hoist.
  19. Perform vehicle wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications

  Document ID# 873919
1998 Saturn SL2/SC2/SW2