1997-2003 Malibu Control Arm Torque

[vgb14]

Hi,
I'm getting ready to replace a front lower control arm on an '01 malibu. The Chilton's manual says to tighten the front bolt to 84 ft. lb plus an additional 120 degrees. That seems reasonable. However, it says to tighten the rear bolt to 180 ft. lb plus an additional 180 degrees. Wow, that seems like a lot. Can someone with a factory manual, or haynes or other compare what your book says so I can verify if this is correct? Thanks.

[manicmechanix]

Info - Front Suspension Clunk/Rattle Noise Diagnosis #01-03-08-002B - (04/10/2003)
Front Suspension Clunk/Rattle Noise Diagnosis
1998-2003 Chevrolet Malibu (Built After 10/97)

1998-1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass

1999-2003 Oldsmobile Alero

1999-2003 Pontiac Grand Am

This bulletin is being revised to correct the tightening specification for the lower control arm front bolts. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Numbers 01-03-08-002A and 00-03-08-003 (Section 03 - Suspension).

Important
The following information has also been updated within SI. If you are using a paper version of the Service Manual, please make a reference to this bulletin on the affected page.

A number of front suspension lower control arms have been returned to the Warranty Parts Center (WPC). Input regarding these parts indicates replacement corrected front suspension related clunk/rattle type noise concerns. Analysis of these returned components indicates that they were manufactured to design intent and should have performed satisfactorily in the vehicle.

It is recommended that when a front lower control arm is suspected to be the cause of a front suspension noise concern, the technician perform the following fastener tightening procedure prior to control arm replacement.

Position the vehicle on a level surface at curb height (supported by the tires).
Loosen the four lower control arm to front suspension crossmember attaching bolts. Tighten
Tighten the two lower control arm to suspension crossmember front attaching bolts to 60 N·m (45 lb ft) plus 180° rotation.
Tighten the two lower control arm to suspension crossmember rear attaching bolts to 100 N·m (74 lb ft) plus 180° rotation.
Road test vehicle to determine if the noise condition has been corrected.

Important
If the control arm bushings require replacement, they are available separately and may be serviced without replacing the control arm.

Squawk Noise From Front and/or Rear Suspension (Lubricate Stabilizer Bushings) #01-03-08-003A - (02/05/2002)
Squawk Noise from Front and/or Rear Suspension (Lubricate Stabilizer Bushings)
1997-2002 Chevrolet Malibu

1997-1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass

1999-2002 Oldsmobile Alero

1999-2002 Pontiac Grand Am

This bulletin is being revised to include additional graphics and torque specifications. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-03-08-003 (Suspension).

Condition
Some customers may comment on a squawk noise from the front and/or rear suspension while driving.

Cause
The noise may be due to a slip/stick condition between the front and/or rear stabilizer bushings.

Correction
Follow the service procedure below and lubricate the front and/or rear stabilizer bushings with Special Lubricant High Temperature, P/N 12345879 (in Canada, use P/N 10953511).

Service Procedure for Front Suspension
Raise and support the vehicle allowing the front suspension to hang free. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (SI2000 Document ID # 632491) in the General Information sub-section of the Service Manual.
Remove the stabilizer shaft links. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (SI2000 Document ID # 635842) in the Front Suspension sub-section of the Service Manual.
Support the rear of the crossmember with an adjustable jack stand.
Remove the rear bolts from the crossmember.
Remove the lower control arm rear bolts.
Lower the rear of the crossmember with the adjustable jack stand.
Remove the power steering line bracket from the suspension crossmember on the right side of the vehicle.

Remove the bolts from the insulator brackets attaching the stabilizer shaft to the crossmember.
Remove the stabilizer shaft insulators and lubricate the entire insulator with Special Lubricant, P/N 12345879 (in Canada, use P/N 10953511).
Install the lubricated insulators back onto the stabilizer shaft.
Install the insulator brackets and the bolts to the stabilizer shaft.
Tighten the bolts to 69 N·m(51 lb ft).

Install the power steering line bracket from the suspension crossmember on the right side of the vehicle.
Raise the rear of the crossmember with the adjustable jack stand.

Important
Cross member nuts (1) and (6) are captured nuts.

Install the rear lower control arm bolts through the crossmember.
Tighten the rear lower control arm bolts to 245 Nm (180 lb ft).
Install the rear crossmember bolts. Tighten
Tighten the rear cross member bolts to 70 Nm (52 lb ft).
Lower the vehicle and road test.

Service Procedure for Rear Suspension.
Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (SI2000 Document ID # 632491) in the General Information sub-section of the Service Manual.
Remove the stabilizer shaft insulator brackets and the nuts from the stabilizer shaft.
Remove the stabilizer shaft insulators and lubricate the entire insulator with Special Lubricant, P/N 12345879 (in Canada, use P/N 10953511).
Install the lubricated insulators back onto the stabilizer shaft.
Install the stabilizer shaft insulator brackets to the stabilizer shaft and the nuts. Tighten
Tighten the stabilizer shaft insulator bracket nuts to 53 N·m(39 lb ft).

Lower the vehicle and road test.
Parts Information
Part Number, Description

12345879 (US) Special Lubricant High Temperature
10953511 (Canada)

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

Looks like 45 lb ft plus 180 degrees for the front bolt, and 74 lb ft plus 180 degrees for the rear bolt. Although the confusing thing in this bulletin is in the stabilizer shaft lubing procedure it says to tighten the rear control arm bolts to 180 ft lbs. I think I would go with 74 lb ft plus 180 degrees, but without a torque angle meter 180 lb ft sounds like about the same thing if the bolt isn't corroded.

[vgb14]

Thanks, manic. That's great info. That is kinda strange that they're not consistent. I guess I'll use the 45 lb ft plus 180 degrees for the front bolt, and 74 lb ft plus 180 degrees for the rear bolt.