Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement RWD

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. Support the lower control arm with floor stands.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Wheel Removal in Tires and Wheels.

Notice: Support the caliper with a piece of wire to prevent damage to the brake line.

3. Remove the brake caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.



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



6. Drill away the rivet heads. Use a 12.75 mm (½ in) drill.



7. Punch the rivets out. Use a small pin punch.
8. Remove the cotter pin.
9. Remove the stud nut from the upper ball joint.




Important: Support the knuckle assembly so that the knuckle weight does not damage the brake hose.

10. Use the J 23742 as shown.
11. Apply pressure on the tool until the stud breaks loose.
12. Remove the J 23742 .
13. Pull the stud away from the knuckle.
14. Remove the ball joint.

1. Install a new upper ball joint to 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.

2. Position four attaching bolts and nuts.

Tighten
Tighten the nuts to 24 N·m (18 lb ft).

3. Remove the support from the knuckle assembly.
4. Install the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle.
5. Install the stud nut.

Tighten

•	Tighten the nut to 100 N·m (74 lb ft).

•	Tighten the stud nut in order to align the slot in the stud nut with the hole in the stud.

6. Install a new cotter pin.
7. Install the brake caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
8. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Wheel Installation in Tires and Wheels.

Important: 

•	Check the running clearance at all suspension components.

•	Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement in Wheel Alignment.

9. Lower the vehicle.

Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement S4WD

Tools Required

J 36607 Ball Joint Separator

1. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle with suitable safety stands.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Wheel Removal in Tires and Wheels.

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.

3. Place a floor jack under the control arm. Raise the jack in order to support the control arm.
4. Remove the brake hose and the bracket (upper control arm only).



5. Using a 3.17 mm (1/8 in) drill, cut a 6.35 mm (¼ in) deep hole in the center of each rivet.



6. Using a 12.7 mm (½ in) drill bit, drill away the rivet heads.



7. Using a pin punch, remove the rivets.



8. Remove the cotter pin.
9. Remove the stud nut from the upper ball joint.
10. Using the J 36607 , remove the ball joint from the knuckle. Support the knuckle.
11. Remove the ball joint.

1. Install the ball joint to the 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.

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

Tighten

•	For K1 and K2, tighten the nuts to 23 N·m (17 lb ft).

•	For K3, tighten the nuts to 70 N·m (52 lb ft).




3. Install the ball joint to the knuckle.
4. Install the ball joint stud nut.

Important: Tighten the nut with the control arm at the proper Z height. Refer to Trim Height Inspection in Suspension General Diagnosis.

Tighten
Tighten the nut to 100 N·m (74 lb ft). Tighten the nut in order to align the cotter pin. Do not tighten more than 1/6 turn.

5. Install the new cotter pin. Bend the pin ends against the nut.
6. Install the brake hose and the bracket (upper control arm only).
7. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Wheel Installation in Tires and Wheels.
8. Lower the vehicle.
9. Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement in Wheel Alignment.