Chevrolet Sonic Repair Manual: Lower Control Arm Replacement

Chevrolet Sonic Repair Manual / Chassis / Suspension / Lower Control Arm Replacement

Removal Procedure

Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
Remove the front wheelhouse rear liner. Refer to Front Wheelhouse Liner Replacement.
Remove the front wheelhouse liner inner front extension. Refer to Front Wheelhouse Liner Inner Front Extension Replacement.
Disconnect the steering linkage tie rod end from the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement.

Note:

DO NOT reuse the ball joint nut. The nut is NOT reusable.

Remove the lower ball joint nut (1) and bolt (2).

Remove and discard the front lower control bolt (1). Replace with NEW only.

Note:

DO NOT reuse the rear lower control arm nut. The nut is NOT reusable.

Remove the front lower control arm rear nut (1) and bolt (2).

Push the front brake corner forward and then remove the front lower control arm (1).

Installation Procedure

Push the front brake corner forward and then position the lower control

Push the front brake corner forward and then position the lower control arm (1) in the vehicle.

Note:

Install the front lower control arm rear bolt and nut hand tight to hold the lower control arm in place while tightening the front lower control arm bolt.

Install the NEW front lower control arm front bolt (1) and tighten to.

First Pass: 115 Y (85 lb ft)
Final Pass: plus 65 degrees

Tighten the NEW front lower control arm rear nut (1) to:

First Pass: 160 Y (118 lb ft)
Final Pass: plus 35 degrees

Install the NEW lower ball joint bolt (2) and nut (1) and tighten the to nut (1):

First Pass: 30 Y (22 lb ft)
Second Pass: release 120 degrees
Third Pass: 30 Y (22 lb ft)
Final Pass: plus 35 degrees

Install the steering linkage tie rod end on the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement.

Install the front wheelhouse liner inner front extension. Refer to Front Wheelhouse Liner Inner Front Extension Replacement.

Install the front wheelhouse rear liner. Refer to Front Wheelhouse Liner Replacement.

Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.

Lower the vehicle.

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