Ball Joint: Adjustments

1. Raise the car, remove wheel and place a jack under front spring seat, and lift to relieve pressure on axle carrier.
2. Remove tie rod ball joint fasteners, and separate tie rod from steering arm using steering joint taper separator tool JD.24.
3. Remove all other hardware, leaving ball joint free.

CAUTION Shims are added to obtain correct adjustment. However, excessive wear must not be compensated for by shims. Worn parts must be replaced.

4. Remove shims one by one until ball pin is tight in socket with screws tightened to 15-20 ft. lbs (2.10-2.75 kgf/m). Shims are available in .002 and .004 inch (0.5 and 0.10 mm).
5. Remove screws, ball pin cap, shims and socket. Add shims to value of .004-.006 (0.10-0.15 mm).
6. Grease ball pin and socket lightly. Refit the socket ball pin cap and washers.
7. Torque to 15-20 ft. lbs. (2.1-2.75 kgf/m). When correctly adjusted, hub and axle carrier may be pivoted with very slight drag.
8. Apply grease to ball joint and replace tie rod.
9. Tighten tie rod nut to 35-50 ft. lbs. (4.84-6.91 kgf/m).
10. Loosen spring compressor tool and remove spring.
11. When installing, lighten hardware to 27-32 ft. lbs. (3.74-4.42 kgf/m).