Service Procedure
A. Inspection1. Using a frame contact hoist, lift vehicle so suspension hangs free.
2. Remove both rear tire and wheel assemblies.
FIGURE 1:
3. Remove the cotter pin from the left and right rear lower control arm ball joints. Refer to Figure 1.
4. Slowly loosen each castellated ball joint nut (2) two turns and determine if the ball joint moves downward and begins to separate from the knuckle.
5. Determine which of the following conditions exist at either or both of the ball joints.
^ Ball joint does not move downward and does not begin to separate from the knuckle when castellated nut is loosened. Proceed to Part B of this service procedure.
^ Ball joint moves downward and begins to separate from the knuckle when the castellated nut is loosened. Proceed to Part C of this service procedure.
B. Ball joint does not move downward and does not begin to separate from the knuckle when the castellated nut is loosened:
1. Place a suitable jack under the control arm and remove coil spring tension from the ball joint.
Note: The control arm must be supported to prevent the coil spring from forcing the control arm downward.
FIGURE 2:
2. Remove the castellated nut from the rear lower control arm ball joint. Turn nut over and reinstall with flat side of nut facing upward. Do not tighten nut.
3. Install tool J 34505. Refer to Figure 2. Tool J 34505 was included with 1984-85 essential tools.
4. Separate knuckle from ball joint stud by backing off inverted nut against tool J 34505.
5. Remove tool J 34505 and castellated nut.
6. Install new castellated nut part number 11504131 flat side down.
7. Tighten new nut to 10 N-m (7 ft.lbs.).
8. Tighten nut an additional 2/3 turn. A minimum torque of 55 N-m (41 ft.lbs.) must have been achieved by this time.
Note: It may be necessary to partially load joint to keep ball joint from rotating while nut is being tightened.
If a minimum of 55 N-m (41 ft.lbs.) has not been obtained, proceed to Part C of this service procedure.
9. Align slot in castellated nut to cotter pin hole in ball joint stud by tightening only. DO NOT loosen nut to align for cotter pin installation.
10. Install new cotter pin.
11. Install tire and wheel assembly.
12. Install campaign identification label.
C. Ball joint moves downward and begins to separate from the knuckle when the castellated nut is loosened:
1. Place a suitable jack under the control arm and remove coil spring tension from the ball joint.
Note: The control arm must be supported to prevent the coil spring from forcing the control arm downward.
FIGURE 3:
2. Remove cotter pin and nut from outer suspension adjustment link. Refer to Figure 3.
3. Remove brake line bracket from backing plate.
4. Separate outer suspension adjustment link from knuckle using tool J 24319-01 or equivalent. Refer to Figure 3.
5. Remove castellated nut from the rear lower control arm ball joint.
6. Separate knuckle from rear lower control arm ball joint.
7. Remove brake drum.
8. Remove four (4) hub and bearing assembly to knuckle bolts. When removing these bolts. support the brake assembly with a wire or other means. Do not let the brake line support the brake assembly.
9. Install new knuckle, install strut to knuckle bolts, and tighten to 195 N-m (144 ft.lbs.).
10. Install four (4) hub and bearing assembly to knuckle bolts and tighten to 70 N-m (52 ft. lbs.).
11. Install outer suspension adjustment link to knuckle using new nut, part number 11504131 and tighten to 50 N-m (37 ft.lbs.). After tightening, align cotter pin slot by tightening nut only. DO NOT loosen nut to align for cotter pin installation.
12. Install new cotter pin.
13. Install brake line bracket to backing plate. Tighten bolts to 10 N-m (7 ft.lbs.).
14. Install new castellated nut, part number 11504131 on rear lower control arm ball joint stud.
15. Tighten new nut to 10 N-m (7 ft.lbs.).
16. Tighten nut an additional 2/3 turn to achieve a minimum torque of 55 N-m (41 ft.lbs.).
NOTE: It may be necessary to partially load joint to keep ball joint from rotating while nut is being tightened.
17. Align slot in castellated nut to cotter pin hole in ball joint stud by tightening only. DO NOT loosen nut to align for cotter pin installation.
18. Install new cotter pin.
19. Install tire and wheel assembly.
20. Align rear suspension. Refer to section 3A in the 1986 Firenza, Calais, Cutlass Ciera, Delta 88 and Ninety-Eight Chassis Service Manual.
21. Install campaign identification label.