Steering Wheel Vibration at Highway Speeds (Replace Both Front Lower Control Arm Assemblies)

Important: This bulletin applies ONLY to 2004 CTS vehicles equipped with the FE3 sport suspension built within the above described VIN range and exhibiting the described condition. NO attempts should be made to match, balance, force variation diagnose or replace tires for this vibration condition without first performing the following repair.

Some customers may comment on feeling a vibration in the steering wheel when driving at highway speeds.

Remove both of the existing front lower control arm assemblies and install the following components:

Refer to the procedures in this bulletin.

Tools Required

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in the General Information sub-section of the Service Manual or SI document #813128.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in the Tires and Wheels sub-section of the Service Manual or SI document #1318233.



3. Remove the stabilizer shaft link lower retaining nut. An allen wrench may be required.
4. Disconnect the stabilizer shaft link from the lower control arm.



5. Remove the shock module assembly lower retaining bolts (1).



6. Remove the outer tie rod to steering knuckle retaining nut.



7. Use J 24319-01 to disconnect the outer tie rod from the steering knuckle.



8. Remove the ABS wire harness from the lower control arm.

8.1.	Disconnect the wire harness from the wheel speed sensor.

8.2.	Unclip the wire harness from the stabilizer link and control arm.




9. Loosen the lower ball joint retaining nut. DO NOT separate the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle at this time.



10. Paint witness/location marks across lower control arm mounting bolt, nut and washer to engine frame.
11. Remove the lower control arm mounting nuts.
12. Remove the lower control arm mounting bolts.
13. Remove the lower ball joint retaining nut.



14. Use J 43631 to separate the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle.
15. Remove the lower control arm from the vehicle.

1. Install the lower control arm to the vehicle.

1.1.	Connect the lower ball joint to the steering knuckle.

1.2.	Install a new lower ball joint retaining nut, P/N 10282253. Hand tighten only.




2. Install the lower control arm mounting bolts.
3. Adjust the lower control arm to Z height. Refer to the Trim Height Inspection Procedure in Suspension General Diagnosis in the Suspension sub-section of the Service Manual or SI document #803078.
4. Install the lower control arm mounting nuts.

Tighten
Tighten the nuts to 135N·m(100 lb ft).

5. Tighten the new lower ball joint retaining nut in the following order:

Tighten

5.1.	Tighten the nut to 20N·m(15 lb ft).

5.2.	Tighten the nut an additional 210 degree turn.




6. Install the ABS wire harness to the lower control arm.

6.1.	Clip the wire harness to the stabilizer link and control arm.

6.2.	Connect the wire harness to the wheel speed sensor.




7. Connect the outer tie rod to the steering knuckle.
8. Install the outer tie rod to steering knuckle retaining nut.

Tighten
Tighten the nut to 75N·m(55 lb ft).




9. Install the shock module assembly lower retaining bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 25N·m(18 lb ft).





Important: Apply threadlocker 242, or equivalent, to the threads of the stabilizer shaft link.

10. Connect the stabilizer shaft link to the lower control arm.
11. Install the stabilizer shaft link lower retaining nut.

Tighten
Tighten the nut to 50N·m(37 lb ft).

12. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in the Tires and Wheels sub-section of the Service Manual or SI document #1318233.
13. Repeat the Removal and Installation Procedures for the opposite front lower control arm.
14. Lower the vehicle.
15. Align the front end. Refer to Measuring Wheel Alignment in Wheel Alignment in the Suspension sub-section of the Service Manual or SI document #784867.

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use: