Ball Joint: Service and Repair

Ball Joint, Lower Arm

Removal

1. Raise vehicle on a hoist.
2. Remove wheel and tire assembly.






3. Remove and discard nut from front suspension lower arm strut (3468) . Pull off dished washer.
4. Remove and discard front suspension lower arm ball joint nut and pinch bolt. Using a screwdriver, slightly spread the front wheel knuckle pinch joint and separate front suspension lower arm (3079) from front wheel knuckle (3K186) . A drift punch may be used to remove bolt. Use extreme care to not damage ball joint boot seal.

CAUTION: Do not allow front wheel knuckle /halfshaft to move outward. Over-extension of the tripod front wheel driveshaft and joint (3B436) could result in separation of internal parts, causing failure of the joint.

5. Remove and discard front suspension lower arm inner pivot bolt and nut.
6. Remove front suspension lower arm assembly from front suspension lower arm strut.

Installation

NOTE: Ensure the front washer is present at front suspension lower arm strut-to-front suspension lower arm attachment.

1. Insert front suspension lower arm strut into front suspension lower arm strut inner bushing (3C067).
2. Position front suspension lower arm into subframe bracket. Install a new nut and bolt. Tighten to 98-132 Nm 73-97 lb-ft).
3. Assemble front suspension lower arm ball joint stud to front wheel knuckle , making sure that ball stud groove is properly positioned. Use extreme care to not damage front suspension lower arm seal.
4. Insert a new pinch bolt and nut. Tighten to 53-72 Nm (40-53 lb-ft).
5. Clean front suspension lower arm strut threads to remove dirt and contamination.
6. Install dished washer, dished side away from lower arm bushing and new nut on front suspension lower arm strut . Tighten to 98-132 Nm (73-97 lb-ft).
7. Install wheel (1007) and tire assembly. Tighten lug nuts (1012) to 115-142 Nm (85-105 lb-ft).
8. Lower vehicle.