Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (FE7)

Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (FE7)

Special Tools
* J 39549 Ball Joint and Tie Rod End Separator
* J 24319-B Steering Linkage and Tie Rod Puller
* J 44254 Ball Joint Remover and Installer

Removal Procedure

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
2. Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
3. Remove the wheel drive shaft nut.
4. Remove the brake caliper bolts. Refer to Front Brake Caliper Replacement (J55) (Front Brake Caliper Replacement (J55))Front Brake Caliper Replacement (JL9) (Front Brake Caliper Replacement (JL9)).
5. Support and hang the caliper away from the brake rotor.
6. Remove the brake rotor. Refer to Front Brake Rotor Replacement (JL9) (Front Brake Rotor Replacement (JL9))Front Brake Rotor Replacement (J55) (Front Brake Rotor Replacement (J55)).




7. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor connector.




8. Use the J 24319-B and separate the tie rod (1) from the knuckle (2).




9. Remove the nut from the ball joint stud.
10. Use J 39549 to separate the ball joint from the lower control arm.




11. Remove the strut to knuckle attaching nuts and bolts.
12. Remove the steering knuckle from the vehicle.
13. Remove the snap ring from the steering knuckle.
14. Place the knuckle in a vise.




15. Install the J 44254 and press the ball joint out of the knuckle.
16. 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.

1. Apply a 6 mm (0.236 in) bead of Loctite(R) 680 evenly to the ball joint prior to installation.
2. Position the ball joint in the steering knuckle with the grease fitting toward the rear of the vehicle.




3. Use the J 44254 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.





Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

4. Install the steering knuckle to the strut.

Tighten the strut to knuckle nuts to 177 Nm (131 lb ft).

5. Install the ball joint nut.

Tighten the ball joint nut to 30 Nm (22 lb ft). Then tighten the nut an additional 210 degrees.

6. Install the tie rod to the steering knuckle.

Tighten the tie rod to knuckle nut to 30 Nm (22 lb ft) and then an additional 200 degrees. Do not loosen the nut to align the cotter pin.

7. Install the cotter pin to the tie rod stud.




8. Install the wheel speed sensor connector.
9. Install the brake rotor. Refer to Front Brake Rotor Replacement (JL9) (Front Brake Rotor Replacement (JL9))Front Brake Rotor Replacement (J55) (Front Brake Rotor Replacement (J55)).
10. Install the caliper and caliper bolts. Refer to Front Brake Caliper Replacement (J55) (Front Brake Caliper Replacement (J55))Front Brake Caliper Replacement (JL9) (Front Brake Caliper Replacement (JL9)).
11. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).

Tighten wheel nuts to 125 Nm (80 lb ft).

12. Lower the vehicle.
13. Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement (Wheel Alignment Measurement).