RPO FE7
Removal Procedure- Tools Required
- J39549 Front Ball Joint Separator
- J24319-B Steering Linkage Puller
- J44254 Ball Joint Remover and Installer
1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Wheels, Tires and Alignment.
3. Remove the wheel drive shaft nut.
4. Remove the brake caliper bolts. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement - Front (Without J55) or Brake Caliper Replacement - Front (J55) in Disc Brakes.
5. Support and hang the caliper away from the brake rotor.
6. Remove the brake rotor. Refer to Brake Rotor Replacement - Front (Without J55) or Brake Rotor Replacement - Front (J55) in Disc Brakes.
7. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor connector.
8. Use J24319-B and separate the tie rod (1) from the knuckle (2).
9. Remove the cotter pin from the ball,joint stud.
10. Remove the nut from the ball joint stud.
11. Use J39549 to separate the ball joint from, the lower control arm.
12. Remove the strut to knuckle attaching nuts and bolts.
13. Remove the steering knuckle from the vehicle.
14. Remove the snap ring from the steering knuckle.
15. Place the knuckle in a vise.
16. Install the J44254 and press the ball joint out of the knuckle.
17. Inspect the tapered hole in the lower control arm and remove any dirt. If this hole is out of round, deformed, or damaged, replace the control arm.
Installation Procedure
1. Using Loctite(R) Cleaning Solvent 755, or equivalent, clean the mounting surfaces of the steering knuckle and the new ball joint prior to installation. Do not apply solvent to the ball joint seal.
2. Install the ball joint into the steering knuckle.
2.1. Apply a 6 mm bead of Loctite(R) 680 evenly to the ball joint prior to installation.
2.2. Position the ball joint in the steering knuckle with the grease fitting toward the rear of the vehicle.
2.3. Use the J44254 and press in the ball joint.
- The ball joint will bottom on the steering knuckle.
- When installing the ball joint make sure the notch in the tool aligns with the grease fitting.
3. Install the snap ring into the steering knuckle.
4. Install the steering knuckle to the strut.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
Tighten the strut to knuckle nuts to 177 Nm (131 ft. lbs.).
5. Install the ball joint nut.
Tighten the ball joint nut to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.). Then tighten the nut an additional 190 degrees. Do not loosen nut to install cotter pin.
6. Install the coffer pin.
7. Install the tie rod to the steering knuckle.
Tighten the tie rod to knuckle nut to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.) and then an additional 200 degrees. Do not loosen nut to align cotter pin.
8. Install the cotter pin to the tie rod stud.
9. Install the wheel speed sensor connector.
10. Install the brake rotor. Refer to, Brake Rotor Replacement - Front (Without J55) or Brake Rotor Replacement - Front (J55) in Disc Brakes.
11. Install the caliper and caliper bolts. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement - Front (Without J55) or Brake Caliper Replacement - Front (J55) in Disc Brakes.
12. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Wheels, Tires and Alignment.
Tighten wheel nuts to 125 Nm (80 ft. lbs.).
13. Lower the vehicle.
14. Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Measuring Wheel Alignment in Alignment.