Lower Ball Joint

Removal Procedure

Tools Required
- J 6627-A Tie Rod Puller
- J 36202 Torsion Bar Unloading/Loading Tool
- J 29193 Steering Linkage Installer
- J 35917 Ball Joint Remover

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.





3. Remove the front splash shield.
3.1. Remove the two bolts.
3.2. Pivot the shield in order to gain access to the tie rods.
4. Disconnect the inner tie rod end from the relay rod. Refer to Tie Rod Replacement.





5. Remove the drive axle shaft nut and the washer from the hub assembly.
6. Remove the bolts from the hub and bearing assembly.





7. Remove the lower ball joint cotter pin.
8. Remove the lower ball joint nut.
9. Using the J 36202, unload the torsion bar. Refer to Torsion Bar Replacement.
- Mark the adjuster bolt for loading the torsion bar.
- Support the lower control arm with a safety stand.
10. Using the J 35917, disconnect the knuckle from the lower ball joint.





11. Remove the lower ball joint rivets.
11.1. Center punch the bottom of the rivets.
11.2. Using a 3 mm (1/8 inch) drill bit, drill a guide hole 13 mm (1/2 inch) into the rivet heads.





12. Using a 8 mm (5/16 inch) drill bit, drill the rivet head off. Drill a hole two-thirds the length of the rivet shank using an 8 mm (5/16 inch) drill bit.





13. Using a 8 mm (5/16 inch) pin punch, punch out the rivets.
14. Remove the ball joint.

Installation Procedure





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

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

2. Install the bolts, the flat washers, and the nuts to the ball joint.
Tighten the nuts to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.).
3. Install the lower ball joint into the knuckle. Raise the lower control arm with the jack.

Important: Tighten the nut with the control arm at Z height. Refer to Trim Height Inspection Procedure under Suspension, Testing and Inspection.





4. Install the ball joint nut.
Tighten the nut to 128 Nm (95 ft. lbs.).
5. Install a new cotter pin. Tighten the nut up to an additional 1/6 amount in order to insert the cotter pin through the lower ball joint stud. Bend the pin ends against the nut flats.
6. Install the lower ball joint grease fitting.
7. Using a grease gun, grease the lower ball joint until grease appears at the lower ball joint seal.
8. Using the J 36202, load the torsion bar. Set the adjuster bolt at the mark made during disassembly. Refer to Torsion Bar Replacement.





9. Install the hub and bearing assembly to the knuckle.
10. Install the bolts.
Tighten the bolts to 90 Nm (66 ft. lbs.).
11. Connect the drive axle to the hub and bearing assembly.
12. Install the drive axle washer and the nut.
Tighten the nut to 200 Nm (147 ft. lbs.).
13. Connect the inner tie rod end to the relay rod. Refer to Tie Rod Replacement.





14. Install the front splash shield and the splash shield bolts.
Tighten the bolts to 14 Nm (124 inch lbs.).
15. Install the tire and wheel assembly.
16. Lower the vehicle.
17. Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Alignment.