Front Knuckle Ball Joint Replacement
Front Knuckle Ball Joint Replacement
Special Tools Required
- Ball Joint Thread Protector, 14 mm 07AAE-SJAA100
- Ball Joint Remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202
- Ball Joint Tool Kit 07AAF-TL2A150
- Adapter G 07XAF-001050A or 07XAF-001050B
- C-Frame OTC7248, commercially available
NOTE: Paint mark (A) indicate the knuckle ball joint has been replaced. Do not replace the ball joint with the paint mark; you must replace the knuckle as an assembly Service and Repair.
1. Raise and support the vehicle Service and Repair.
2. Remove the front wheel.
3. Remove the wheel speed sensor harness bracket (A).
4. Pry up the stake (A) on the spindle nut (B), then remove the nut.
5. Remove the damper fork mounting nut (A) while holding the mounting bolt (B), then remove the mounting bolt.
NOTE: Use the new damper fork mounting bolt and the new mounting nut, and torque the nut while holding the bolt during reassembly.
6. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the knuckle ball joint, then remove the castle nut (B).
NOTE: During installation, insert the new cotter pin into the ball joint pin hole from the front to the rear of the vehicle, and bend its end as shown. Check the ball joint pin hole direction before connecting the ball joint.
7. Disconnect the knuckle ball joint from the lower arm using the ball joint thread protector and the ball joint remover Ball Joint Removal.
NOTE:
- Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the remover.
- Do not force or hammer on the lower arm, or pry between the lower arm and the knuckle. You could damage the ball joint.
8. Pull the knuckle (A) outward, and separate the outboard joint (B) from the front hub using a soft face hammer outward, then move aside the knuckle/hub.
NOTE:
- Do not pull the driveshaft outward. The driveshaft inboard joint may come apart.
- During installation, apply grease to the mating surfaces of the wheel bearing and the driveshaft outboard joint.
9. Paint a alignment mark (A) in the center between the both boot clip end faces (B) on the knuckle (C).
10. Remove the front knuckle ring (A) from the knuckle.
NOTE: During installation, make sure the position of the knuckle ring and the wheel speed sensor hole line up on the knuckle ring notch.
11. Remove the boot clip (B) and the boot (C), then wipe grease off the exposed portion of the ball joint.
12. Install the attachments (07AAF-TL2A300-A and B) of the ball joint tool kit through the hub center. Position the projection of the attachment (07AAF-TL2A300-B) toward the lower side of the knuckle (A). Tighten it into place by hand.
NOTE: Make sure that it is parallel between the top (B) of the knuckle ball joint and the flat aspect (C) of the attachment.
13. Position the ball joint tool kit, the adapter G, and the C-frame OTC7248, commercially available to the knuckle ball joint (A) as shown.
NOTE: Make sure the attachments are installed securely.
14. Tighten the pressure bolt (B) of the C-frame, and remove the knuckle ball joint.
NOTE: When tightening the pressure bolt, make sure the tools are properly aligned with the knuckle (C) and the ball joint.
15. Clean the mating surfaces of the new knuckle ball joint (A) and the knuckle (B). Position the ball joint tool kit and the C-frame OTC7248, commercially available to the ball joint as shown.
NOTE:
- Make sure the attachments are installed securely.
- Align the ball joint boot clip end faces to alignment mark of the knuckle.
16. Tighten the pressure bolt (C) of the C-frame until the knuckle ball joint shoulder is fully seated in the knuckle.
NOTE: When tightening the pressure bolt, make sure the knuckle and the ball joint are properly aligned.
17. Using a yellow oil-based paint marker, paint a mark (A) on the top of the knuckle ball joint as shown.
NOTE: The paint mark is used to identify a knuckle that has had the ball joint replaced. Replace the knuckle as an assembly if the knuckle ball joint has the paint mark.
18. Install all of the removed parts in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:
- First install all of the components, and lightly tighten the bolts and the nuts, then raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight before fully tightening it to the specified torque. Do not place the jack against the ball joint pin of the knuckle.
- Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when connecting the knuckle.
- Before connecting the ball joint, degrease the threaded section, the tapered portion of the ball joint pin, and the ball joint connecting hole, the threaded section, and the mating surfaces of the castle nut.
- Torque the castle nut to the lower torque specification, then tighten it only far enough to align the slot with the ball joint pin hole. Do not align the castle nut by loosening it.
- Use a new spindle nut on reassembly.
- Before installing the spindle nut, apply a small amount of engine oil to the seating surface of the nut. After tightening, use a drift to stake the spindle nut shoulder against the driveshaft.
- Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces between the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.
19. Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary Service and Repair.