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Home › Pontiac › 2002 › Firebird Formula, Automatic › Repair and Diagnosis › Suspension › Front Suspension › Front Suspension System › Repair Instructions › Upper Control Arm Replacement › Installation Procedure

Installation Procedure

  1. Place the shock absorber (8) through the upper control arm (1).
    Fig 1: Installing Shock Absorber
    G01748539Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  2. Install the upper control arm (1) and shock absorber (8) to the vehicle.
  3. Align and install the upper control arm (1) and upper ball joint (2) to the steering knuckle (6).
  4. Install the upper control arm nut (3).

    Tighten 

    Tighten the upper control arm nut (3) to 53 N.m (39 ft. lbs.).

    Important:  Never loosen the control arm nut in order to align the cotter pin slot. You may over-torque the control arm nut up to 1/6 of a turn.

  5. Install a new upper control arm cotter pin (4).
  6. Remove the jack stand supporting the lower control arm.
  7. Install the shock absorber lower bolts and nuts (5).

    Tighten 

    Tighten the shock absorber lower bolts or nuts (5) to 65 N.m (48 ft. lbs.).

  8. Install the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
  9. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels .
  10. Lower the vehicle.
  11. Install the shock absorber upper mounting bolts (15) and nuts (14).

    Tighten 

    • Tighten the shock absorber upper mounting nuts (14) to 41 N.m (30 ft. lbs.).
    • Tighten the shock absorber upper mounting bolts to 50 N.m (37 ft. lbs.).
  12. If servicing the driver side upper control arm, perform the following:
    1. 12.1. Gently, reposition the brake master cylinder and position.
    2. 12.2. Install the brake master cylinder nuts.

    Tighten 

    Tighten the brake master cylinder nuts to 29 N.m (21 ft. lbs.).

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