Pitman Arm Ball Joint Overhaul

WARNING: Personal injury could result if the circlip, in step 3, is removed without pressure being applied and maintained to the cover plate.


The pitman arm ball joint can be overhauled with a repair kit available which consists of the the following items:

- Ball pin ball lower socket
- Retainer Spring
- Spring rings O-ring
- Dust cover Cover-plate
- Ball top socket Circlip

Pitman Arm Ball Joint:

Key To Pitman Arm Ball Joint
1. Spring rings
2. Dust cover
3. Ball housing
4. Retainer
5. Bottom socket
6. Ball pin
7. Top socket
8. Spring
9. O-ring
10. Cover-plate
11. Circlip

DISASSEMBLE
1. Remove the pitman arm from the vehicle and clean the exterior.
2. Remove the spring rings and pry off the dust cover.

Pitman Arm Ball Joint:

3. In the interests of safety, position the ball joint under a press to relieve the spring tension and support the housing both sides of the ball pin, as illustrated. Apply pressure to the cover plate and remove the circlip and slowly release the pressure.
4. Remove the spring, top socket and O-ring.

Pitman Arm Ball Joint:

5. Since the ball pin cannot be removed with the retainer in position, tap the threaded end of the ball pin to release the retainer and to remove the pin from the housing.

Pitman Arm Ball Joint:

6. Using a sharp-edged punch or chisel, drive the ball lower socket from the housing.
7. Clean the housing and remove any burrs.

ASSEMBLE

Pitman Arm Ball Joint:

8. Press in the lower socket squarely up to the shoulder.
9. Dip the ball in Duckhams LB10 grease, or equivalent and fit to the housing and pack with grease.
10. Fit the top socket,
11. Fit the spring, small diameter towards the ball.
12. Fit the O-ring and using the same method as for removing the circlip, compress the cover plate and secure with the circlip. Ensure that the circlip is fully seated in the machined groove
13. Press the retainer onto the ball pin so that the top edge is level with the edge of the taper.
14. Fit the dust cover and retain with the two spring rings.
15. Fit the pitman arm to the steering box using a new lock washer. Tighten the retaining nut to 176 Nm (130 ft lbs).
16. Assemble the ball pin to the drag link, see instructions for fitting drag link and track rod, tighten the castle nut to 40 Nm (30 ft lbs).