Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement RWD
Tools Required
• | J 9519-D Ball
Joint Remover and Installer Set |
Removal Procedure
- Raise and suitably support the vehicle with safety stands. Refer
to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
in General Information.
- Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
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.
- Place a floor jack under the control arm spring seat.
Raise the jack in order to support the control arm.
Notice: Support the caliper with a piece of wire to prevent damage to the brake
line.
- Remove the brake caliper. Refer to
Front Brake Caliper Replacement
in Disc Brakes.
- Remove the cotter pin
and the nut.
- Break the ball joint loose
from the steering knuckle using the J 23742
.
Important: Place a wooden block between the frame and the upper control arm in
order to lift the knuckle assembly out of the way.
- Remove the lower control arm out of the opening in the splash shield.
Use a putty knife or a similar tool in order to guide the control arm past
the splash shield.
- Remove the lower ball
joint from the lower control arm using J 9519-D
.
- Inspect the tapered hole in the steering knuckle and remove any
dirt. If the tapered hole is out of round, deformed, or damaged, replace
the steering knuckle.
Installation Procedure
- Install a new ball joint
into the lower control arm.
1.1. | Press in the ball joint using J 9519-D
. The ball joint will bottom on the control arm. |
1.2. | Locate the grease fitting facing inboard. |
- Install the ball joint
stud 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 lower ball stud nut.
Tighten
Tighten the lower ball stud nut to 108 N·m (79 lb ft).
Tighten in order to align the slot in the stud nut with the hole in
the stud.
- Install a new cotter pin to the stud.
- Lubricate the lower ball joint.
- Install the brake caliper. Refer to
Front Brake Caliper Replacement
in Disc Brakes.
- Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Tires and Wheels.
- Lower the vehicle.
- Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to
Wheel Alignment Measurement
in Wheel Alignment.
Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement 4WD
Removal Procedure
- Raise
and support 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.
- Unload the torsion bar. Refer to
Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement
.
- Remove the wheel drive shaft. Refer to
Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement
in Wheel Drive Shafts.
- Drill a pilot hole in the lower ball joint rivets using a 3.175 mm
(1/8 in) drill to cut a 6.35 mm (1/4 in) deep hole in the
center of each rivet.
- Drill
the rivet heads away using a 12.7 mm (1/2 in) drill.
- Remove the rivets using a pin
punch.
- Remove the lower ball joint from lower control arm.
Installation Procedure
- Install the lower ball joint to the lower control arm.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.
- Install the lower ball joint retaining bolts and the nuts.
Tighten
Tighten the lower ball joint retaining nuts to 23 N·m
(17 lb ft).
- Install the wheel drive shaft. Refer to
Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement
in Wheel Drive Shafts.
- Load the torsion bar. Refer to
Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement
.
- Install the tire and the wheel. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Tires and Wheels.
- Lower the vehicle.
- Inspect the front wheel alignment. Refer to
Wheel Alignment Measurement
in Wheel Alignment.