OEM GMC Sonoma Ball Joint

GMC Sonoma Ball Joint Parts and Q&A

• Upper Ball Joint, Front
  19133669
  Q: How to replace the upper ball joint on GMC Sonoma?

  A:

  Secure a vehicle lift and safety stands underneath in preparation for replacing the upper Ball Joint. Take off the Torsion Bar and disconnect the wheel speed sensor wiring harness bracket and brake hose bracket by removing their mounting bolt and nut from the upper Control Arm. Take the brackets away from the upper Control Arm and remove the cotter pin before the retaining nut at the Ball Joint. With a pry bar under the Control Arm push up then a helper hits the knuckle stud near the Ball Joint to loosen it. Support the upper Control Arm and Steering Knuckle with a block to keep them aside when you take the upper Ball Joint from the Steering Knuckle before suspending the Steering Knuckle to prevent Brake Line damage. Pozisyon the upper Ball Joint from the Steering Knuckle by drilling 12.7 mm (1/2 inch) holes into rivet heads then removing them with a pin punch and upper Ball Joint. Insert the new upper Ball Joint onto the upper Control Arm and tighten retaining bolts and nuts to 23 nm (17 ft. Lbs.). Thread in the upper Ball Joint to the Steering Knuckle and bolt it with a retaining nut until it reaches 83 nm (61 ft lbs.), making sure the Ball Joint stays aligned for the cotter pin without going beyond the one sixth turn limit. Install a fresh cotter pin into the Ball Joint stud system and form both ends to engage with the nut facility. Reattach the wheel speed sensor wiring harness and brake hose bracket to their positions on the Control Arm using the mounting bolt and nut which needs 24 nm (18 ft. Lbs.) torque. Put the Torsion Bar back in place, mount the tire and wheel, lower the vehicle, then inspect the steering wheel alignment.
• Ball Joint, Front Upper
  88911387
  Q: How to inspect and service the ball joints on GMC Sonoma?

  A:

  Service the ball joints under stable conditions on a flat surface by positioning the vehicle correctly without rocking on stands and keeping the upper Control Arm bumper away from the frame. Put the vehicle in an elevated position and set a floor stand below the stabilizer bar bracket to hold the lower Control Arm. Test and replace the Ball Joint when you find damage on its seal surface. To check the Wheel Bearing health you need to examine its freedom of movement and take appropriate diagnostic steps if it is loose. Examine for Ball Joint horizontal looseness by placing the j 8001 dial indicator (J 8001) on the lowest part of the wheel rim and rocking the wheel left and right until the gauge shows no more than 0.080 inch movement. When fixing the lower Control Arm on rwd vehicles look for poor condition by taking the safety stand out and comparing the lower Ball Joint housing to the cover on a healthy joint since there should be 1.27 mm (0.050 inch) extension. When the housing sits level with the surface or worse replace the lower Ball Joint. Put the j 8001 dial indicator (J 8001) on the Spindle and check vertical movement when prying between the Control Arm and outer race of the 4wd lower Ball Joint; replace the joint if the indicator shows more than 0.125 inch vertical clearance. When the lower Ball Joint shows good specs you should test the upper Ball Joint by disconnecting it to check for looseness and replace if needed.