Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement FE1, FE3
Removal Procedure
The lower control arm ball joint is serviced only with the control arm
and cannot be serviced separately.
To separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle, refer to
Lower Control Arm Replacement
.
Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement FE7
Removal Procedure
Tools Required
• | J 39549 Front
Ball Joint Separator |
• | J 44254 Ball
Joint Remover and Installer |
- Raise the vehicle. Refer to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
in General Information.
- Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Tires and Wheels.
- Remove the wheel drive shaft nut.
- Remove the brake caliper bolts. Refer to
Front Brake Caliper Replacement
in Disc Brakes.
- Support and hang the caliper away from the brake rotor.
- Remove the brake rotor. Refer to
Front Brake Rotor Replacement
in Disc Brakes.
- Disconnect the wheel speed
sensor connector.
- Use J 24319-B
and separate the tie rod (1) from
the knuckle (2).
- Remove the cotter pin
from the ball joint stud.
- Remove the nut from the ball joint stud.
- UseJ 39549
to separate the ball joint from the lower control arm.
- Remove the strut to knuckle
attaching nuts and bolts.
- Remove the steering knuckle from the vehicle.
- Remove the snap ring from the steering knuckle.
- Place the knuckle in a vise.
- Install the J 44254
and press the ball joint out of the
knuckle.
- Inspect the tapered hole in the lower control arm and remove any
dirt. If this hole is out of round, deformed, or damaged, replace the control
arm.
Installation Procedure
Tools Required
J 44254 Ball
Joint Remover and Installer
- Using Loctite® Cleaning Solvent 755, or equivalent, clean
the mounting surfaces of the steering knuckle and the new ball joint prior
to installation. Do not apply solvent to the ball joint seal.
- Install the ball joint into the steering knuckle.
2.1. | Apply a 6 mm bead of Loctite® 680 evenly to the ball
joint prior to installation. |
2.2. | Position the ball joint in the steering knuckle with the grease
fitting toward the rear of the vehicle. |
2.3. | Use the J 44254
and press in the ball joint. |
• | The ball joint will bottom on the steering knuckle. |
• | When installing the ball joint make sure the notch in the tool
aligns with the grease fitting. |
- Install the snap ring into the steering knuckle.
Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners
must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring
replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant
are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or
corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified.
These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage
the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when
installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
- Install
the steering knuckle to the strut.
Tighten
Tighten the strut to knuckle nuts to 177 N·m (131 lb ft).
- Install the ball joint nut.
Tighten
Tighten the ball joint nut to 30 N·m(22 lb ft).
Then tighten the nut an additional 190 degrees. Do not loosen nut to install
cotter pin.
- Install the cotter pin.
- Install the tie rod to the steering knuckle.
Tighten
Tighten the tie rod to knuckle nut to 30 N·m(22 lb ft)
and then an additional 200 degrees. Do not loosen nut to align cotter pin.
- Install the cotter pin to the tie rod stud.
- Install the wheel speed
sensor connector.
- Install the brake rotor. Refer to
Front Brake Rotor Replacement
in Disc Brakes.
- Install the caliper and caliper bolts. Refer to
Front Brake Caliper Replacement
in Disc Brakes.
- Install the tire and wheel. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Tires and Wheels.
Tighten
Tighten wheel nuts to 125 N·m (80 lb ft).
- Lower the vehicle.
- Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to
Wheel Alignment Measurement
in Wheel Alignment.