Lateral Arm

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the front lateral arm (lower control arm) on a 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L V8 EcoTec3 engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front lower lateral control arm assembly × 1 — ACDelco 20952313 or equivalent
• Cotter pin for ball joint nut × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and apply parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
4. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at manufacturer-specified lift point
5. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed under frame rails
6. Remove front wheel completely
7. Spray all control arm mounting bolts and ball joint nut with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes

Procedure

1. 1

   Access the lateral arm
   Position yourself under the vehicle with adequate lighting. Identify the lower control arm (lateral arm) which connects the lower ball joint at the steering knuckle to the frame-mounted pivot points. Visually inspect the entire arm for damage or excessive corrosion.
2. 2

   Remove ball joint cotter pin and nut
   Locate the ball joint stud castle nut where the control arm connects to the steering knuckle. Using wire cutters or pliers, remove and discard the cotter pin. Using appropriate socket, remove the ball joint castle nut completely. Keep the nut if reusing the control arm, otherwise discard.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut110 Nm (81 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Separate ball joint from knuckle
   Position the ball joint separator tool between the control arm and steering knuckle, centered on the ball joint stud. Tighten the separator tool steadily until the ball joint tapered stud pops free from the knuckle. If using a pickle fork, strike firmly with a hammer while protecting surrounding components. Remove the separator tool once joint is free.
   ⚠The ball joint will separate suddenly. Ensure the steering knuckle is supported and will not drop or swing unexpectedly.
4. 4

   Support the steering knuckle
   Once the ball joint is separated, support the steering knuckle assembly with a bungee cord or wire tied to the frame to prevent it from hanging on the brake hose or CV axle. Ensure no tension is placed on the brake line or ABS sensor wire.
5. 5

   Remove front control arm mounting bolt
   Locate the front mounting bolt that secures the control arm to the front crossmember or frame bracket. This is typically the smaller of the two mounting points. Using a breaker bar and appropriate socket, remove the bolt completely. Support the control arm to prevent it from dropping.
6. 6

   Remove rear control arm mounting bolt
   Locate the rear mounting bolt that secures the control arm to the frame or rear bracket. Using a breaker bar and appropriate socket, remove this bolt completely. The control arm should now be free to remove from the vehicle.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove lateral arm from vehicle
   Maneuver the lateral arm out from between the frame and steering knuckle. You may need to rotate or angle the arm to clear obstructions. Inspect the removed arm for wear, cracking, or damaged bushings to confirm replacement is necessary.
8. 8

   Prepare new lateral arm
   Unbox the new lateral arm assembly and verify it matches the removed part in mounting hole locations and ball joint configuration. Clean the frame mounting surfaces with a wire brush to remove any rust or debris. Apply a thin coat of anti-seize compound to the mounting bolt threads (not the mating surfaces).
9. 9

   Install new lateral arm
   Position the new lateral arm into place, aligning the mounting holes with the frame brackets. Insert both front and rear mounting bolts by hand, threading them just enough to hold the arm in position. Do not tighten at this stage.
10. 10

    Connect ball joint to knuckle
    Remove the support from the steering knuckle and guide it down to align with the ball joint stud on the new control arm. Insert the ball joint stud into the knuckle taper. Thread the castle nut onto the ball joint stud and tighten to specification using a torque wrench. Align the castle nut slots with the stud hole for cotter pin installation.
    Torque spec

    Ball Joint Nut110 Nm (81 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install new cotter pin
    Insert a new cotter pin through the castle nut and ball joint stud hole. Bend the ends of the cotter pin over securely to prevent the nut from loosening. Ensure the cotter pin is fully seated and will not interfere with any moving components.
12. 12

    Reinstall wheel
    Mount the wheel back onto the hub, threading all lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a hand wrench only at this stage (do not torque yet).
13. 13

    Lower vehicle to load suspension
    Carefully remove jack stands and lower the vehicle using the floor jack until the tires contact the ground and the full vehicle weight is resting on the suspension. Do not lower completely off the jack yet; maintain just enough jack pressure to stabilize the vehicle while keeping weight on wheels.
    ⚠Control arm bushings must be torqued at ride height to prevent binding and premature wear. Do not torque mounting bolts while suspension is hanging.
14. 14

    Torque control arm mounting bolts
    With vehicle weight on the suspension, torque both the front and rear control arm mounting bolts to specification using a torque wrench. Verify both bolts are properly seated before torquing.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Final wheel installation
    Fully lower the vehicle to the ground and remove the jack completely. Using a torque wrench, torque all wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern to ensure even pressure distribution.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts169 Nm (125 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. All mounting hardware has been installed and torqued during the procedure
2. Verify cotter pin is properly installed and secured in ball joint castle nut
3. If replacing both sides, repeat entire procedure for opposite side

Verification

• Visually inspect that the cotter pin is properly bent and secured
• Verify all mounting bolts are tight and torqued to specification
• Start the vehicle and turn the steering wheel full lock in both directions to verify clearance and proper operation
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed and verify no unusual noises, vibrations, or handling issues
• Schedule a professional alignment as control arm replacement affects suspension geometry and wheel alignment

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

More procedures for this vehicle