Tools Required

J 35917 Ball Joint Remover/Tie Rod Puller

1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the tire and the wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.



3. Remove the ball joint heat shield retaining bolts and remove the ball joint heat shield.



4. Remove the lower ball joint cotter pin and the nut.
5. Loosen the stabilizer shaft bushing bolts. Do not remove the bolts.
6. Disconnect the ball joint from the lower control arm using the J 35917 .

Important: Do not damage the drive axle boots when drilling out the ball joint rivets.

7. Drill out the four rivets retaining the ball joint to the knuckle/strut. Use a 1/8 in drill bit in order to make a pilot hole through the rivets. Finish drilling the rivets with a ½ in drill bit.
8. Remove the ball joint from the knuckle/strut.

1. Install the ball joint in the knuckle/strut.

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.

2. Install the four ball joint bolts and nuts as shown in the ball joint kit instruction sheet.

Tighten
Tighten the ball joint nuts and bolts to 19 N·m (14 lb ft).

3. Install the ball joint and ball joint stud nut to the lower control arm.

Important: 

•	Tighten in order to align the next slot in the nut with the cotter pin hole in the ball joint stud.

•	DO NOT tighten more than 60 degrees (1 flat) in order to align cotter pin with the hole in the ball joint stud.

•	DO NOT loosen the nut at any time during installation.

4. Install a new ball joint nut to lower control arm.

Tighten

•	Tighten the stabilizer shaft bushing clamp bolts to 48 N·m (35 lb ft).

•	Tighten the lower ball joint nut to 85 N·m (63 lb ft).

5. Install a new cotter pin.



6. Install the ball joint heat shield and the ball joint heat shield retaining bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the ball joint heat shield bolts to 7 N·m (62 lb in).

7. Install the tire and the wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
8. Lower the vehicle.