Ball Joint: Service and Repair

Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).




2. Remove the 2 nuts (1, 2) and the bolt (3).
3. Remove the ball joint from the lower control arm.




4. Remove the cotter pin (5) from the ball joint stud.
5. Remove the nut (4) from the ball joint stud.
6. Use the appropriate ball joint remover in order to remove the ball joint (3) from the knuckle (2).

Installation Procedure





Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

Note: Do not loosen the nut (4) in order to insert the cotter pin (5).

1. Install the ball joint (3) and the nut to the knuckle (2). If the vehicle has the 1.8L VIN 8 engine, tighten the nut to 103 Nm (76.0 lb ft). If the vehicle has the 2.4L VIN 0 engine, tighten the nut to 123 Nm (91 lb ft). With either engine, tighten the nut up to 1/6 additional turn in order to insert the cotter pin.
2. Install a NEW cotter pin to the ball joint stud. Bend the cotter pin ends in order to retain the nut.
3. Install the ball joint to the lower control arm.




4. Install the bolt (3) and the 2 nuts (1, 2). Tighten the nuts and the bolt to 89 Nm (66 lb ft).
5. Lower the vehicle.
6. Measure the wheel alignment. Adjust the wheel alignment if necessary. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement (Wheel Alignment Measurement).