Ball Joint: Service and Repair

Lower Ball Joint Replacement
- Tools Required
- J43828 Ball Joint Separator

Removal Procedure
1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
3. If the vehicle is equipped with a stabilizer shaft, remove the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement.
4. Remove the wiring harness from the lower control arm.





5. Remove the cotter pin (1) from the ball joint (3).
6. Remove the nut (4) from the ball joint (3).

Notice Use only the recommended tools for separating the ball joint from the knuckle. Failure to use the recommended tools may cause damage to the ball joint and seal.





7. Separate the ball joint stud from the steering knuckle using the J43828.





8. Remove the lower control arm front (5) and rear (4) mounting bolts.
9. Remove the lower control arm (2) from the vehicle and place in a vice.





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

11. Remove the ball joint (4) from the control arm (2).

Installation Procedure





1. Install the ball joint (4) into the control arm (2).
2. Install the 3 ball joint bolts (3) and the nuts (1).
Follow the instructions in the ball joint kit.
- Tighten the ball joint bolts (3) according to the specifications in the instructions.





3. Install the lower control arm (2) to the front suspension support (1)

Notice Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

4. Install the lower control arm front (5) and rear (4) mounting bolts.
- Tighten the front bolt to 107 Nm (79 ft. lbs.).
- Tighten the rear bolt to 170 Nm (125 ft. lbs.).





5. Install the lower ball joint stud (3) to the steering knuckle (2).
6. Install the ball joint stud (3) through the steering knuckle (2).
7. Install the ball joint nut (4).
- Tighten the ball joint nut to 55 Nm (41 ft. lbs.) minimum-65 Nm (50 ft. lbs.) maximum to install the cotter pin.
8. Install the wiring harness to the lower control arm.
9. Install the cotter pin (1).
10. If the vehicle is equipped with a stabilizer shaft, remove the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement.
11. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
12. Inspect the front wheel alignment. Refer to Measuring Wheel Alignment.