Ball Joint: Service and Repair

^ Tool Required:
- J 38892 Ball Joint Separator
- Or Equivalent


REMOVE OR DISCONNECT
1. Raise vehicle and suitably support.
2. If suspension contact hoist is used:
- Place jack stands under crossmember.
- Lower vehicle slightly so weight of vehicle rests on the crossmember and not the control arms.
3. Tire and wheel assembly.

NOTICE: Care must be exercised to prevent the axle shaft joints from being over-extended. When either end of the shaft is disconnected, over-extension of the joint could result in separation of internal components and possible joint failure. Failure to observe this can result in interior joint or boot damage and possible joint failure.

4. Nut and cotter pin from ball joint.
5. Separate ball joint from steering knuckle using J 38892.

NOTICE: Use only the recommended tool for separating the ball joint from knuckle. Failure to use the recommended tool may cause damage to the ball joint and seal.

6. Drill out three rivets retaining ball joint to lower control arm. Use a 3 mm (1/8 inch) drill bit to make a pilot hole through the rivets. Finish drilling rivets with 13 mm (1/2 inch) drill bit.

Important: Do not, damage drive axle boot when drilling out ball joint rivets.

7. Nut attaching link to stabilizer shaft.
8. Ball joint from steering knuckle and control arm.

INSTALL OR CONNECT
1. Ball joint in control arm.
2. Three (3) ball joint bolts and nuts as shown on instruction sheet in ball joint kit and tighten ball joint bolts to specifications.
3. Ball joint stud through steering knuckle.
4. Ball joint nut.
^ Tighten ball joint to steering knuckle nut to 55 Nm (41 ft. lbs.) minimum, 65 Nm (50 ft. lbs.) maximum, to install cotter pin.
^ Do not loosen nut any time during installation.
5. Cotter pin.
6. Nut attaching stabilizer link to stabilizer shaft.
^ Tighten nut to 17 Nm (13 ft. lbs.).
7. Tire and wheel assembly.
8. Check front wheel alignment.