How to change the lower control arms on a Chevy Silverado?

This article walks you through the steps and tasks required to change your Chevy Silverado’s lower control arms. This article applies to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 GMT800 (1999-2006).

Can a Chevy Silverado GMT900 have a broken control arm?

This article applies to the Chevrolet Silverado GMT900 (2007-2013). Your Chevy Silverado isn’t much without a proper working suspension system, and a damaged control arm leaves the affected side vulnerable to transferring all types of vibrations to the cabin, distorting the wheel alignment and wearing down those large, expensive tires way too fast.

How to replace the lower wheel knuckle on a Chevy Silverado?

Lift lower control arm to free the knuckle from the ball joint’s threaded stud. While lifting up the wheel knuckle, lower the jack, and then pull the wheel knuckle out and away from the lower control arm. Figure 21. Pull away detached wheel knuckle from the lower control arm.

How to replace the lower suspension on a Chevy Silverado?

Begin by pulling the hub assembly outwards, so all the suspension components can easily be accessed. Loosen the stabilizer link nuts by placing a wrench on top and a socket on the bottom. Remove the two 15mm bolts that hold the strut tower in place from the lower control arm. Remove the strut tower assembly. Figure 4.

When to replace the lower control arm on a Silverado?

However, if the ball joint has failed, the lower control arm needs to be replaced because this ball joint is not serviceable. Figure 1. Replacement lower control arm for a first generation Silverado 1500. Traditional “wishbone”-type, “A”-shaped front suspensions utilize an upper and lower control arm.

Where to remove lower control arm nut on Chevy Silverado?

Remove the already-loosened 24mm nut at the bottom of the wheel knuckle. This nut holds the lower control arm ball joint to the knuckle via its threaded stud. With the jack still in place, remove the 35mm wheel nut and the washer behind it from the center of the hub.

What kind of suspension does a Chevy Silverado use?

While the upper arm handles wheel alignment issues (camber and caster), the lower control arm handles most of the heavy lifting. And instead of using coil springs for front support, this generation of Silverado trucks use a torsion bar suspension (one on each side). Figure 2. Torsion bar and lower control arm layout.