Suspension - Front Buick Century V

DESCRIPTION

Suspension uses combined strut and coil spring assemblies. Lower control arms pivot on bushings at the frame (engine cradle). (Scheme 1) Upper end of strut rotates on a bearing. Lower end of strut is attached to the steering knuckle. Steering knuckle pivots on a ball joint on the lower control arm.

Scheme 1

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES

Note. See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT section.

Bearing Looseness Check

1. Remove wheel and caliper assembly. Use 2 wheel lug nuts to secure disc to hub. Mount dial indicator support to lower steering knuckle ball joint or to lower control arm.
2. Position dial indicator plunger onto outer lip of hub (not onto disc surface). Grasp disc outer edges and using a push-pull movement, note dial indicator readings. If looseness exceeds .0050" (.127 mm), replace complete hub assembly.

Note. Hub and bearing assembly is sealed and requires no maintenance or adjustment. Replace as a complete assembly.

RIDING HEIGHT

Note. See RIDING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT section.

BALL JOINT CHECKING

1. Raise and support vehicle. Allow suspension to hang free. Inspect ball joint seals for cracks or tears. Replace ball joint if seal is damaged. Grasp tire at top and bottom. Moving tire inward and outward, note horizontal movement of ball joint. Replace ball joint if any horizontal movement exists.
2. Ball joint stud tightness in steering knuckle boss should be checked by shaking wheel and looking for looseness at stud end or at castle nut. When ball joint is disconnected from steering knuckle, check ball joint free play by using finger pressure to spin ball joint stud in its socket. If stud spins in socket, replace ball joint.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Removal

1. Raise and support vehicle. Allow suspension to hang free. Remove wheel. Remove cotter pin and pinch bolt that secures ball joint stud to steering knuckle. Pry ball joint stud from steering knuckle.
2. Drill out rivets securing ball joint to lower control arm, being careful not to puncture axle shaft boot. Disconnect stabilizer bar from lower control arm. See «STABILIZER BAR»(/buick/century/v-1982-1996/remont/suspension-front/#suspension-front) . Remove ball joint.

Note. If ball joint cannot be removed because axle shaft is in the way, remove axle shaft nut (hub nut). Using Front Hub Spindle Remover (J-28733 ), press end of axle shaft through hub until enough clearance exists to allow ball joint to be removed.

Installation

1. Install ball joint, ensuring bolts are facing downward. Tighten bolts. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/century/v-1982-1996/remont/suspension-front/#suspension-front) table. Engage ball joint stud into steering knuckle.
2. Align notches in ball joint stud and steering knuckle to allow pinch bolt to be installed. Install new pinch bolt and nut.
3. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Check wheel alignment. See «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES»(/buick/century/v-1982-1996/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-procedures) article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT section.

HUB & BEARING ASSEMBLY

Note. Hub and bearing are not serviceable separately.

1. Raise and support vehicle. Allow suspension to hang free. Remove wheel. Leaving brakeline connected, remove disc brake caliper and wire aside. Remove rotor. Remove axle shaft nut (hub nut) and washer. (Scheme 1)or (Scheme 2).
2. Mark hub and bearing assembly in relation to steering knuckle for installation reference. Remove bolts securing hub and bearing assembly to steering knuckle. Remove splash shield. Using Front Hub Spindle Remover (J-28733-A ), press axle shaft toward engine.
3. Remove hub and bearing assembly. If replacing inner seal, use a punch to tap it out toward engine. Cut inner seal to remove it from axle shaft.

1. If inner seal was removed, tap new inner seal into steering knuckle from wheel side (toward engine). Lightly grease new inner seal lips. Lightly grease steering knuckle bore where hub and bearing assembly is to be installed. Remove protective plastic cover from new hub and bearing assembly (if equipped).
2. Install hub and bearing assembly, aligning reference marks made during removal. Tighten hub and bearing assembly bolts. Install and tighten new axle shaft nut. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/century/v-1982-1996/remont/suspension-front/#suspension-front) table. Install splash shield. To install remaining components, reverse removal procedure.

Scheme 2

Raise and support vehicle. Allow suspension to hang free. Remove wheel. Disconnect stabilizer bar from lower control arm. Separate ball joint from lower control arm. See BALL JOINT . Remove lower control arm bolts. Remove lower control arm.

Note. Tighten lower control arm bolts with vehicle weight on lower control arms.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Install new pinch bolt and nut. Tighten nuts and bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table. Check wheel alignment. See the WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT section.

Remove lower control arm. See LOWER CONTROL ARM. Remove and install bushing as illustrated. (Scheme 3)

Scheme 3

Raise and support vehicle. Remove stabilizer bar clamps and bushings from lower control arms. Remove both stabilizer bar reinforcement plates from frame. Remove stabilizer bar and bushings. Replace worn, damaged or deteriorated bushings.

To install, reverse removal procedure. During installation, loosely assemble all fasteners, and ensure stabilizer bar is centered from side to side. Ensure split in bushing is toward front of vehicle. Tighten stabilizer bar reinforcement plates. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table. Tighten remaining bolts.

1. Remove hub and bearing assembly. See «HUB & BEARING ASSEMBLY»(/buick/century/v-1982-1996/remont/suspension-front/#suspension-front__hub-bearing-assembly). Disconnect stabilizer bar from lower control arm. (Scheme 1) Remove tie rod end nut. Disconnect tie rod end.
2. Separate ball joint from steering knuckle. See «BALL JOINT»(/buick/century/v-1982-1996/remont/suspension-front/#suspension-front). Mark strut in relation to steering knuckle. Remove bolts securing strut to steering knuckle. Remove steering knuckle.

1. Install new grease seal into steering knuckle. Lubricate seal lips. Set steering knuckle in place. Install steering knuckle onto strut assembly but do not tighten bolts. Install steering knuckle onto ball joint stud. Tighten ball joint stud nut (use new pinch bolt and nut). See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/buick/century/v-1982-1996/remont/suspension-front/#suspension-front) table.
2. Install hub and bearing assembly. At steering knuckle and strut assembly, align reference marks made during removal. To install remaining components, reverse removal procedure. Check wheel alignment. See «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES»(/buick/century/v-1982-1996/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-procedures) article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT section.

STRUT ASSEMBLY

1. In engine compartment, locate strut housing tie bar that runs between strut towers. Loosen through-bolts on ends of tie bar. Disconnect strut electrical connector (if equipped). Remove nuts securing upper strut to body mount (DO NOT remove nut on end of strut rod).
2. Raise and support vehicle, allowing suspension to hang free. Remove wheel. Disconnect ABS wheel speed sensor connector (if equipped). Remove brakeline bracket from strut. Disconnect tie rod end (if necessary). Mark strut in relation to steering knuckle (if reusing strut). Remove strut bolts. Remove strut.

Disassembly

Wear safety goggles. Slightly compress strut spring in a spring compressor. While using a socket to prevent strut rod from turning, remove nut from top of strut rod. Loosen spring compressor and disassemble strut assembly.

Reassembly

To reassemble, reverse disassembly procedure. Ensure flat on upper spring seat faces strut mounting flange. (Scheme 4) Ensure bearing is installed into recess of upper spring seat before fully assembling. Tighten strut rod nut. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.

To install, reverse removal procedure. If installing old strut assembly, align marks made during removal. Tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table. Check wheel alignment. See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT section.

Scheme 4

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES
• RIDING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
• STABILIZER BAR
• HUB & BEARING ASSEMBLY