How to replace the upper control arms 2007 – 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 2

To replace the upper control arms on your Silverado 2 it couldnt’ be easier. You will be asked to measure, lift the vehicle, remove the control arm ball joint as well as carry out a few other steps. You can carry out this tutorial of 11 chapters in 90 minutes. Bring your 21 mm socket and your crowbar and let’s get started!

Duration

90 minutes

Number of steps

Difficulty out of 5

Average savings

$110

Parts You Will Need

Tools You Will Need

Step-by-Step Installation

Chapter 1:

Measure

Step 1/1

Before lifting your vehicle, it is necessary to measure the distance between the centre of your wheel and the wheel arch. This will allow you to achieve an optimal tightening of the parts in their initial position.

Chapter 2:

Lift the vehicle

Step 1/3

Turn your engine off and set the parking brake.

Chapter 2:

Step 2/3

Loosen the stud bolts on the front wheels.

Chapter 2:

Step 3/3

Lift the front of your vehicle. Place the vehicle on the jack stands. Don’t forget to put the wheels under the vehicle!

Chapter 3:

Remove the control arm ball joint

Step 1/5

Using a multi-bit screwdriver and a 10 mm socket, unscrew the bolt securing the brake hose bracket. Then shift it.

Chapter 3:

Step 2/5

The components to be removed are very often seized up, so don’t hesitate to brush and to use penetrating oil to make removal easier.

Chapter 3:

Step 3/5

Release the ball joint with a 19mm wrench.

Chapter 3:

Step 4/5

If you do not have a ball joint puller, a tool specifically designed for this task, take a hammer and hit the knuckle. The ball joint should come out of the knuckle.

Chapter 3:

Step 5/5

Finish unscrewing the nut. Then remove the upper control arm ball joint from the wheel knuckle.

Chapter 4:

Tips

Step 1/2

Brush the two nuts of the upper control arm retaining bolts, and spray them with penetrating oil.

Chapter 4:

Step 2/2

This truck is equipped with alignment camber bolts so that you can adjust the alignment of your vehicle. Using a marker, trace a line between the alignment camber bolt and the frame, which will allow you to get as close as possible to the initial wheel alignment setting when reassembling. In any case, a wheel alignment check will have to be carried out by a professional soon after having performed this operation.

Chapter 5:

Remove the upper control arm

Step 1/5

Then using a ratchet and a 21mm socket, unscrew the two alignment camber bolts holding nuts.

Chapter 5:

Step 2/5

Finish unscrewing by hand.

Chapter 5:

Step 3/5

You can now remove the two alignment camber bolts using a plastic mallet.

Chapter 5:

Step 4/5

You can extract them by jiggling the lower control arm back and forth.

Chapter 5:

Step 5/5

You can now remove the upper control arm. If necessary, pry with a crowbar to facilitate handling.

Chapter 6:

Set up

Step 1/5

If you need to change the centering pins on the camber bolts, take a hammer. Then, remove them.

Chapter 6:

Step 2/5

Using a wire brush, clean the contact surface between the control arm and the frame.

Chapter 6:

Step 3/5

Take the new centering pins. Insert the pins into the frame.

Chapter 6:

Step 4/5

Here’s a tip! You can use vice grips and a nut to insert them more easily.

Chapter 6:

Step 5/5

Brush and grease the control arm area to facilitate its installation.

Chapter 7:

Install the new upper control arm

Step 1/6

Take the new control arm. Then install the control arm.

Chapter 7:

Step 2/6

If necessary, pry with a crowbar to facilitate handling.

Chapter 7:

Step 3/6

Take the camber bolts.

Chapter 7:

Step 4/6

Use the marking drawn with a marker to reproduce them on the new camber bolts. Then install the first bolt.

Chapter 7:

Step 5/6

Take the second camber bolt. Depending on the condition of the camber bolts, you can apply grease to extend the bushings’ lifespan.

Chapter 7:

Step 6/6

Reinsert the two alignment camber bolts. Then roughly screw the retaining nuts back on. It is important that the control arm slides easily in their slots, before a final tightening is carried out.

Chapter 8:

Put the control arm ball joint back

Step 1/6

Using a wire brush, scrub the knuckle of the wheel knuckle, then apply silicone grease to the flat part that will be in contact with the lower control arm ball joint sleeve.

Chapter 8:

Step 2/6

Do not grease the inside of the cone.

Chapter 8:

Step 3/6

Reinsert the ball joint, then screw it back in.

Chapter 8:

Step 4/6

Lift the wheel knuckle with the jack until the original measurement between the center of the wheel and the wheel arch is reached.

Chapter 8:

Step 5/6

Screw the nut of the upper control arm ball joint back on.

Chapter 8:

Step 6/6

Finish tightening using a torque wrench.

Chapter 9:

Tightening tips

Step 1/3

Using a 21 mm wrench, turn the alignment camber bolts to realign them with the previously drawn marks, which will allow you to get as close as possible to the initial wheel alignment setting. Then screw the nuts back on with a ratchet until they make contact.