Ball Joint: Service and Repair

Upper Ball Joint Replacement

- Tools Required
- J 36607 Ball Joint Separator

Removal Procedure





1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.

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.

2. Support the lower control arm with a safety stand.
3. Remove the tire and wheel.





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





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





6. Center punch rivets retaining the upper ball joint to the upper control arm. Use a 3.175 mm (1/8 inch) drill bit to cut a 6.35 mm (1/4 inch) deep hole in the center of each rivet.





7. Drill the rivet heads away using a 12.7 mm (1/2 inch) drill bit.





8. Using a pin punch, remove the rivets.





9. Remove the cotter pin from the upper ball joint.
10. Remove the upper ball joint retaining nut.





11. Install the J 36607 to the upper ball joint and steering knuckle.
12. Disconnect the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle using J 36607.
13. Pull the upper control arm away from the steering knuckle.
14. Remove the upper ball joint.

Installation Procedure





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

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

2. Install the upper ball joint to the upper control arm mounting bolts and nuts.
- Tighten the upper ball joint to the upper control arm mounting nuts to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.).





3. Install the speed sensor bracket to the upper control arm mounting bolt and nut.
- Tighten the wheel sensor bracket to upper control arm mounting nut to 16 Nm (12 ft. lbs.).





4. Install the brake hose bracket to the upper control arm mounting bolt and nut.
- Tighten the brake hose bracket to upper control arm mounting nut to 16 Nm (12 ft. lbs.).





5. Connect the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle.
6. Install the upper ball joint to steering knuckle retaining nut.
- Tighten the upper ball joint to steering knuckle retaining nut to 98 Nm (72 ft. lbs.).
7. Install a new cotter pin. Tighten the nut up to an additional 1/6 amount in order to insert the cotter pin through the upper ball joint stud. Bend the pin against the nut flats.
8. Install the upper ball joint grease fitting.
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.
11. Remove the safety stand from the lower control arm.
12. Lower the vehicle.
13. Check the front wheel alignment.