Assembly

ASSEMBLY - LOWER CONTROL ARM (BALL JOINT)






CAUTION: When installing a ball joint in its mounting hole in the lower control arm, position the ball joint so the notch in the ball joint stud is facing the lower control arm front isolator bushing (Fig. 46). This will ease assembly of the ball joint to the steering knuckle when the installation of the pinch bolt is attempted.

1. By hand, position ball joint into its bore on the lower control arm (Fig. 46). To avoid binding upon installation, be sure the ball joint is not cocked in the bore.






2. Position the Installer, Special Tool 6758, on a hydraulic press to support the lower control arm (Fig. 47). Place the control arm on top of Tool 6758 in the upside-down position, aligning the ball joint stud squarely with the Installer's cup.
3. Place the larger end of the Adapter, Special Tool 6804, on top of the ball joint as shown (Fig. 47).
4. Using the hydraulic press, press the ball joint into the lower control arm until the shoulder on the ball joint bottoms against the lower control arm ball joint bore. Do not apply excessive pressure against ball joint and lower control arm once the ball joint bottoms.
5. Remove the tools and arm from the hydraulic press.






CAUTION: When installing the sealing boot on the ball joint, position the upward lip on the outside perimeter of the seal boot outward, away from the control arm once installed (Fig. 48). It is there to help shield heat from the sealing boot.

6. Place a new ball joint seal boot over the ball joint stud. The upward lip located on the outside perimeter of the seal boot must point outward away from the control arm once installed (Fig. 48). Start the sealing boot over the sides of the ball joint by hand.
7. Position the Installer, Special Tool 6758, over the sealing boot outer diameter as shown (Fig. 48). By hand, apply pressure to the top of the Installer until the seal boot is pressed squarely down against the top surface of lower control arm.
8. Remove the tool.
9. If not already installed, install standard zirc type grease fitting in ball joint.

CAUTION: It is important to lubricate the ball joint before installation of steering knuckle to allow proper venting when the seal is filled. If the ball joint is lubricated after installation to knuckle, damage to the seal can occur.

10. Using a hand-operated pump grease gun, fill the ball joint seal boot with Mopar Multi-Mileage Lube or equivalent until grease pushes out past ball joint stem. Wipe off overfill.
11. Remove standard zirc-type grease fitting and install headless grease fitting from original ball joint to prevent future lubricating. Be sure to properly clean headless grease fitting prior to installation.
12. Install the lower control arm.

ASSEMBLY - LOWER CONTROL ARM (REAR ISOLATOR BUSHING)






1. Back the Ball Joint Press, Special Tool C-4212F, set screw outward so it does not extend out into the cup area (Fig. 49).






2. Start the isolator bushing into the bottom of the lower control arm bushing bore by hand. Position the bushing so the voids in the rubber are aligned in relationship to the ball joint as shown (Fig. 50). Place the larger void toward the ball joint.
3. Install the Installer, Special Tool 9356-1, on the tip of the Ball Joint Press screw drive.






4. Place the lower control arm upper flange against the cup area of the Ball Joint Press and tighten the screw-drive until the Installer contacts the outer circumference of the bushing (Fig. 51). Make sure the bushing flange sits squarely in the step built into the Installer.
5. Using hand tools, slowly tighten the screwdriver until the bushing bottoms in the lower control arm bushing bore. Do not overtighten the screw-drive; damage to the bushing, arm or tool can result.
6. Back off the screw-drive and remove the control arm from the Ball Joint Press.
7. Install the lower control arm on the vehicle.