Ball Joint: Service and Repair

1. Check ball joint dust boot for wear, flaws or damage.
2. To check ball joint for wear, proceed as follows:
a. Disconnect ball joint from suspension arm.
b. Attach a suitable spring scale to ball joint, then pull scale rearward and observe the effort required to revolve joint. Scale should read 63-109 oz. If reading is not as specified, replace ball joint.
3. To replace ball joint, proceed as follows:
a. Remove ball joint to steering knuckle retaining bolt, then separate ball joint from knuckle.
b. Remove ball joint to suspension arm retaining bolts, then the ball joint.
c. Reverse procedure to install.