Tools Required

J 23742 Ball Joint Separator

Caution: To avoid any vehicle damage, serious personal injury or death when major components are removed from the vehicle and the vehicle is supported by a hoist, support the vehicle with jack stands at the opposite end from which the components are being removed and strap the vehicle to the hoist.

1. Raise the front of the vehicle.

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.

•	Support the lower control arm with safety stands.

•	Because the weight of the vehicle is used to relieve the spring tension, position the safety stands between the spring seats and the ball joints of the lower control arms in order to maintain maximum leverage.

•	Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.




2. Remove the brake hose bracket and wheel speed sensor harness bracket from the upper control arm.
3. Remove the nuts and the bolt.



4. Remove the upper ball joint cotter pin and retaining nut from the steering knuckle.



5. Using theJ 23742 separate the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle.



6. Remove the attaching bolts and nuts of the upper control arm from the frame.
7. Remove the upper control arm from the vehicle.
8. Remove the frame knockouts, if equipped. Refer to Frame Bracket Knock Out Removal in Wheel Alignment.

1. Install the upper control arm to the frame.

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.

Important: 

•	The pivot bolts must be installed in the proper direction.

•	Tighten the front nut prior to tightening the rear nut.

2. Install the new upper control arm bolts and nuts.

Tighten

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

•	Tighten the upper control arm to the frame nuts to 190 N·m (140 lb ft).

3. Install the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle.



4. Install the upper ball joint retaining nut to the steering knuckle.

Tighten
Tighten the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle nut to 100 N·m (74 lb ft).




5. Install a new cotter pin. Align the slot in the nut (1) with the hole in the stud (2).

If the hole in the stud is not in line with the slots in the nut, tighten the nut until they are aligned.




6. Bend the cotter pin as shown to prevent the pin from working loose.

Install the grease fitting, if necessary. Grease the ball joint.




7. Install the wheel speed sensor harness/brake hose bracket to the upper control arm with the nut and bolt.

Tighten
Tighten the nut to 24 N·m (18 lb in).

8. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
9. Remove the safety stands.
10. Lower the vehicle.
11. Align the vehicle. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications in Wheel Alignment.