Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement Rear Wheel Drive

Tools Required

J 23742 Ball Joint Separator

Caution: Floor jack must remain under the lower control arm during removal and installation to retain the lower control arm in position. Failure to do so could result in personal injury.

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Place safety stands under the lower control arm between the spring seat and the lower ball joint.
3. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Wheel Removal in Tires and Wheels.
4. Remove the cotter pin, the nut, and the grease fitting.



5. Disconnect the steering knuckle from the upper ball joint.

5.1.	Use the J 23742 in order to break the steering knuckle free from the upper ball joint.

5.2.	Pull the knuckle free from the upper ball joint after the J 23742 is removed.

5.3.	Support the steering knuckle/hub assembly in order to prevent the knuckle weight damaging the brake hose.




6. Use a 3.175 mm (1/8 in) drill bit in order to cut 6.35 mm (¼ in) deep holes in the center of each rivet head.



7. Drill away the rivet heads using a 13 mm (½ in) drill bit.



8. Using a small pin punch, punch out the rivets and remove the upper ball joint from the upper control arm.

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.

1. Install the upper ball joint into the upper control arm. Position the ball joint into the upper control arm, and install the four attaching bolts and nuts.

Tighten
Tighten the nuts to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).

2. Connect the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle.

•	Remove the temporary support from the steering knuckle.

•	The upper ball joint must be fully seated into the steering knuckle.

3. Install the stud nut.

Tighten
Tighten the nut to 85 N·m (65 lb ft).

4. Install a new cotter pin. Tighten the nut up to an additional 1/6 amount in order to insert the cotter pin through the upper ball joint stud. Bend the pin ends flat against the nut flats.
5. Install the upper ball joint grease fitting.
6. Using a grease gun, grease the upper ball joint until grease appears at the upper ball joint grease seal.
7. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Wheel Installation in Tires and Wheels.
8. Adjust the wheel bearings. Refer to Wheel Bearing Adjustment .
9. Lower the vehicle.
10. Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications in Wheel Alignment.

Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive

Tools Required

J 36607 Ball Joint Separator

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Wheel Removal in Tires and Wheels.
3. Unload the torsion bar. Refer to Torsion Bar Replacement .



4. Remove the brake hose from the upper control arm.



5. Remove the brake hose bracket from the upper control arm.



6. Remove the speed sensor bracket from the upper control arm.



7. Remove the rivets from the ball joint. Use a 3.175 mm (1/8 in) drill bit to cut a 6.35 mm (¼ in) deep hole in the center of each rivet.



8. Drill the rivet heads away using a 13 mm (½ in) drill bit.



9. Using a pin punch, remove the rivets.



10. Remove the cotter pin.
11. Remove the nut.



12. Disconnect the ball joint from the knuckle using the J 36607 . Support the knuckle.
13. Remove the ball joint.

1. Install the ball joint in the upper control arm.



2. Install the speed sensor bracket.



3. Install the brake hose bracket.

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.

4. Install the bolts and the nuts to the ball joint.

Tighten

•	Tighten the brake hose bracket nut to 16 N·m (12 lb ft).

•	Tighten the wheel sensor bracket nut to 16 N·m (12 lb ft).

•	Tighten the upper ball joint nuts to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).




5. Connect the ball joint to the knuckle.
6. Install the nut.

Tighten

•	Tighten the nut to 90 N·m (66 lb ft).

•	Tighten the nut with the control arm at Z height. Refer to Trim Height in Suspension General Diagnosis.

7. Install a new cotter pin. Tighten the nut up to an additional 1/6 amount in order to insert the cotter pin through the upper ball joint stud. Bend the pin against the nut flats.



8. Install the brake line.
9. Using a grease gun, grease the upper ball joint until grease appears at the upper ball joint grease seal.
10. Load the torsion bar. Refer to Torsion Bar Replacement .
11. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Wheel Installation in Tires and Wheels.
12. Lower the vehicle.
13. Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications in Wheel Alignment.