Lower

Fig. 6 Disconnecting ball joints from steering knuckle (Typical). Exc. 1982 Corvette & Camaro:

Fig. 7 Pressing ball joint from lower control arm (Typical):

EXC. 1982 CORVETTE

1. Raise vehicle and support at frame, and remove wheel and tire.
2. Position a suitable jack under lower control arm spring seat, and raise jack to compress coil spring. Jack must remain in place during ball joint replacement to hold spring and lower control arm in position.
3. Remove cotter pin and nut securing ball joint stud to steering knuckle, then disconnect joint from knuckle using a suitable tool, Fig. 6.
4. Lift knuckle assembly from ball stud, guiding control arm out of splash shield, then support knuckle aside to allow clearance for joint removal.
5. Remove grease fitting, then press ball joint assembly out of lower control arm using a suitable tool, Fig. 7.
6. Press replacement joint into arm by reversing removal tools, fit spindle over ball stud, install washer, if equipped, and retaining nut. On 1982 models except 1982 Camaro, seat ball stud in steering knuckle before installing nut. Install tool J-29194 over stud, torque tool to 40 ft. lbs., then remove tool and install nut.
7. Torque retaining nut to 90 ft. lbs. on 1982---88 models except 1984---88 Corvette and 48 ft. lbs. on 1984---88 Corvette.
8. Tighten nut up to an additional 1/16 turn, if necessary, to align hole in ball stud with nut, then install cotter pin. On 1982 Malibu and Monte Carlo, install cotter pin from rear.