Upper Ball Joint Replacement

REMOVAL PROCEDURE
^ Tools Required:
- J 36607 Ball Joint Separator

1. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle with safety stands.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to WHEEL REMOVAL in TIRES AND WHEELS.





3. Remove the brake hose from the upper control arm.





4. Remove the brake hose bracket from the upper control arm.





5. Remove the speed sensor bracket from the upper control arm.





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





7. Drill the rivet heads away using a 13 mm (1/2 in) drill bit.





8. Using a pin punch, remove the rivets.





9. Remove the cotter pin.
10. Remove the nut.





11. Disconnect the ball joint from the knuckle using the J 36607. Support the knuckle.
12. Remove the ball joint.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE





1. Install the ball joint in the upper control arm.





2. Install the speed sensor bracket.





3. Install the brake hose bracket.

NOTICE: Always use the correct fastener in the proper location. When you replace a fastener, use ONLY the exact part number for that application. The manufacturer will call out those fasteners that require a replacement after removal. The manufacturer will also call out the fasteners that require thread lockers or thread sealant. UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, do not use supplemental coatings (paints, greases, or other corrosion inhibitors) on threaded fasteners or fastener joint interfaces. Generally, such coatings adversely affect the fastener torque and joint clamping force, and may damage the fastener. When you install fasteners, use the correct tightening sequence and specifications. Following these instructions can help you avoid damage to parts and systems.

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

Tighten
^ Tighten the brake hose bracket nut to 16 Nm (12 ft. lbs.).
^ Tighten the wheel sensor bracket nut to 16 Nm (12 ft. lbs.).
^ Tighten the upper ball joint nuts to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.).





5. Connect the ball joint to the knuckle.
6. Install the nut.

Tighten
^ Tighten the nut to 90 Nm (66 ft. lbs.).
^ Tighten the nut with the control arm at Z height. Refer to TRIM HEIGHT in SUSPENSION GENERAL DIAGNOSIS.

7. Install a new cotter pin. Tighten the nut up to an additional i/6 amount in order to insert the cotter pin through the upper ball joint stud. Bend the pin against the nut flats.





8. Install the brake line.
9. Using a grease gun, grease the upper ball joint until grease appears at the upper ball joint grease seal.
10. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to WHEEL INSTALLATION in TIRES AND WHEELS.
11. Remove the safety stands.
12. Lower the vehicle.
13. Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.