FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

With Light Duty Suspension

REMOVAL PROCEDURE

- Tools Required
- J 23742 Ball Joint Separator





1. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle with safety stands.

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 floor jack.
3. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
4. Remove the brake caliper.





5. Remove the nut and the bolt that retains the wheel speed sensor harness bracket and brake hose (1) to the upper control arm.





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





8. Drill away the rivet heads. Use a 12.7 mm (1/2 inch) drill.





9. Punch the rivets out. Use a small pin punch.
10. Remove the cotter pin and nut.





11. Using the J-23742 separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle.
12. Remove the J-23742.
13. Pull the stud away from the knuckle.
14. Remove the ball joint.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
1. Install a new upper ball joint to the upper control arm.

NOTICE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.





2. Position four attaching bolts and nuts.
- Tighten the nuts to 24 Nm (18 ft. lbs.).





3. Install the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle.
4. Install the ball joint to steering knuckle nut.
- Tighten the nut to 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.).





5. Install a new cotter pin. Align the slots in the nut (1) with the hole in the stud (2).





6. Bend the cotter pin as shown to prevent the pin from working loose.
7. Install the grease fitting. Grease the ball joint.





8. Install the nut and the bolt that retains the wheel speed sensor harness and brake hose (1) to the upper control arm.
- Tighten the speed sensor retaining nut to 17 Nm (13 ft. lbs.).

9. Install the front brake caliper.
10. Install the tire and wheel assembly.

IMPORTANT:
10.1. Check the running clearance at all of the suspension components.
10.2. Remove the safety stands.
10.3. Lower the vehicle. Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications in Alignment.