Pontiac G8 Control Arm Replacement (Base, GT or GXP)

Replacing the control arms on a 2008 - 2009 Pontiac G8 (Base, GT or GXP) is a simple job that can be performed in your home garage. In my case, the car would make a rattling noise when going over bumps. After determining that it wasn't the struts/shocks, I found that the noise was from worn ball joints. Instead of only replacing the ball joints, it's easiest to replace the entire control arm assemblies. The G8 has a unique control arm setup, but it makes for very simple maintenance. Follow along as I make the swap with simple hand tools.
#g8gt #maintenance #DIY

[@calitri76]

I have had to do some work on my G8 recently and found that they are really easy to work on.

[@tomjohnson1110]

Thanks dude, saved me heaps of time figuring out what to do.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Awesome, glad it was helpful Tom!

[@renedperez]

I just finished the right side of my G8. I had to go buy the ball joint separator, because the two ball joints did not want to budge. The control arm was the difficult one for me. Thanks for the video!

[@jeffb243]

Looks pretty easy! Helluva lot easier than doing a C5 Corvette!! Getting a G8 GT this weekend, looking at possible things I’ll have to do to it when I get it

[@brucec7200]

right on for this HRH, i'll be saving this for spring diy

[@JustAGuy781]

Our 2009 G8 GT doesn't have any rattling, but when I wiggle the wheel/tire from side to side I can hear a little clunk and see the end that bolts up to spindle wiggle and clunk just a little which is enough. The steering wheel shakes going down the road do between the driver/passenger front lower rear control arm and most likely the wheels out of balance them I'm sure this will fix the steering wheel shake.

[@peteg9396]

Make more videos of this G8!

[@justinchambers6341]

Hey, thanks for the video! Did any bolts need to be torqued?

[@lachiefulvio7263]

the straight control arm is 40nm plus 60 degrees rotation on the outer end, 50nm plus 120 degrees rotation on the inner end, same specs respectively for the curvy control arm, (this is straight from the workshop manual) the real names are control arm and front lower control arm if you want to look it up

[@wcoffee1979]

Nice video! Do you think the control arms in the back will need to be replaced as well at 82k miles?

[@HotRodHoarder]

I never replaced the rear control arms on this particular car and drove it until it had 190k miles. They still seemed to be in decent shape.

[@michaelsawley6569]

get video 👍very clear, I'm doing the same job on my 2010 ve calias tomorrow

[@lachiefulvio7263]

yeah same, sv6 for me, couldn’t find any videos for “commodore” but g8 did the trick

[@LostSoul805]

About to tackle this on Monday. Just got all my parts from rock auto.

[@HotRodHoarder]

Compared to most of the rusty junk I work on, this was a breeze. Best of luck with yours...I hope this video was helpful.

[@LostSoul805]

Thank you brutha! Appreciate this video👌🙏

[@dvcsub]

Did you order the MOOG kit with ALL the front suspension components that’s $400. I’m looking at that one. Just did my front struts and sway bar end links 3 weeks ago they were shot and rattling. But something is still rattling when changing directions(reverse, forward) and it’s coming from the front so it has to be one of all these things.

[@LostSoul805]

dvcsub word!? Mine is making that same noise and I replaced my control arms and tie rods.. it’s only when I switch gears

[@dvcsub]

Daniel Hendrix mine is not necessarily when changing gears, it’s when I change directions. And like I said it’s coming from the front. I got most of the MOOG kit today but the rest should be coming tomorrow. I’m only at 118k and when I jack up the car and try to wiggle the tires side to side or vertically there’s no play. But again the knock is from the front end. I also get the knock sometimes when at a stop and turning.

[@kheflw]

Thanks for this video, well made. My 2009 G8 GT makes so much noise it's scary. Been in the shop 4 times, they cannot find it, because everything seems fine, wheels are tight and true, with not slop. The noise has gotten worse, and not it has doubled up, so both Passenger and Driver side are making it. You never say where the noise was coming from. Any thoughts? Can you give suggestions on parts needed, brands. The job looked easy enough for me to tackle. Thanks again.

[@kheflw]

Sorry, just saw the listing of parts off Amazon. Thanks again.

[@antonioguevara89]

What kind of noise ? My G8 started making a sort of vibrating, humming noise when running and start up and a kinda squealing nose when turning!! Smh it's gotten worse and I don't want to drive it anymore!! SOME ONE HELP ME PLEASE!

[@6timjr]

Retighten the strut top bearing nut - take top nut off and big washer ,tighten nut put washer and lock nut back on- only needs to move a little to fix knock

[@T.M.Homestead]

Thanks for the vid. I know what I'm doing next weekend!

[@galooney1]

Was one of your symptoms the car pulling to one side under braking?

[@r08800]

The front arm also goes by the name 'caster arm' or 'radius arm' I made the mistake of not jacking up the suspension when tightening everything up. Destroyed the RH control arm in no time.

[@debbircrowe7090]

Great video, Thanks

[@shane2026]

as same as the ve commodore in Australia

[@adrianworkphone6501]

Awesome vid. Thankyou

[@geah8627]

Did u need to have it re-aligned afterwards?

[@HotRodHoarder]

It's a good idea to have it aligned any time you replace major suspension parts, but I did not have mine aligned immediately. I drove it for a couple months and it drove fine. It wasn't very far out of alignment according to the shop's print out.

[@3e2e]

Thanks for the video man!

[@debbircrowe7090]

Good video, Thanks

[@rick1123us]

Help please :- How to know what is the right height before tightening the bolt ??

[@HotRodHoarder]

After putting a jack stand under the car, I use my floor jack under the control arm and jack it up. Once the control arm lifts to a certain point, the jack will start raising the entire car. As soon as it starts lifting the entire car, that means the suspension is at ride height and you can tighten your control arm bolts.

[@richardwilson6787]

Great video, thanks for taking the time to make it!

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thank you Richard, hope it was helpful!

[@myyoutubename152]

How many miles, did you do much dirt road driving?

[@HotRodHoarder]

I think it had around 150k miles when I installed the control arms. No dirt road action that I'm aware of.

[@manatukiel8011]

Very similar to the holden commodore ve ssv v8

[@livenloud6697]

Australian made Holden Commodore hey

[@norrisd.4711]

These cars suspension setup is similar to German cars like BMW and Mercedes.

[@gdubm4]

Squared away video!!!

[@ACE-gk5gi]

Hey hey fucknnn hey LOL it's ya goofy m8te from Australia 😆 love ya show [ HOLDEN COMMODORE VE UTE HSV Maloo R8 E series LS3 turbo start up accelerate sound ] - mate type that in on utube watch n enjoy...it only goes for 1.56 sec but wait till you see it..on a big screen..[ let me know what you think about the car in a reply ] ya goofy m8te from Australia