Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement RWD

Tools Required

1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle with safety stands. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. 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.

3. 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.

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



5. Remove the cotter pin and the nut.



6. 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.

7. 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.



8. Remove the lower ball joint from the lower control arm using J 9519-D .
9. 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.

1. 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.




2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Install a new cotter pin to the stud.
5. Lubricate the lower ball joint.
6. Install the brake caliper. Refer to Front Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
7. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
8. Lower the vehicle.
9. Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement in Wheel Alignment.

Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement 4WD

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
3. Unload the torsion bar. Refer to Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement .
4. Remove the wheel drive shaft. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Wheel Drive Shafts.
5. 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.



6. Drill the rivet heads away using a 12.7 mm (1/2 in) drill.



7. Remove the rivets using a pin punch.
8. Remove the lower ball joint from lower control arm.

1. Install the lower ball joint to the lower control arm.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.




2. 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).

3. Install the wheel drive shaft. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Wheel Drive Shafts.
4. Load the torsion bar. Refer to Torsion Bar and Support Assembly Replacement .
5. Install the tire and the wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
6. Lower the vehicle.
7. Inspect the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement in Wheel Alignment.