Lower Ball Joint

- Tools Required
- J9519-E Ball Joint Remover/ Installer Set
- J23742 Ball Joint Separator

Removal Procedure





1. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle with suitable safety stands.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Wheels, Tires and Alignment.

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.

3. Place a floor jack under the lower control arm. Raise the jack in order to support the control arm.

Notice: Support the caliper with a piece of wire to prevent damage to the brake line.

4. Remove the front brake caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement in Brakes and Traction Control.





5. Remove the cotter pin and the nut from the lower ball joint.





6. Separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle using the J23742.





7. Remove the lower ball joint from the knuckle. Guide the lower control arm out of the splash shield with a screwdriver while lifting the upper control arm with a pry bar.
Place a wooden block between the frame and upper control arm in order to block the knuckle assembly out of the way.





8. Remove the lower ball joint from the lower control arm using the J9519-30 as shown.
9. Inspect the tapered hole in the steering knuckle. Remove any dirt. If the tapered hole is out of round, deformed or damaged, replace the knuckle. Refer to Steering Knuckle Replacement.

Installation Procedure





1. Install a new ball joint into the lower control arm.
1.1. Press in the ball joint using the J9519-30 as shown.
1.2. Make sure that the ball joint bottoms out on the lower part of the lower control arm.
1.3. Remove the wooden block between the frame and upper control arm used to block the knuckle assembly out of the way.





2. Install the ball joint stud into the steering knuckle.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

3. Install the nut onto the stud.
Tighten the lower ball joint to steering knuckle nut to 128 Nm (94 ft. lbs.). Tighten in order to align the slot in the stud nut with the hole in the stud.





4. Install a new cotter pin to the stud. Align the slots in the nut (1) with the hole in the stud (2).
If the hole in the stud is not in line with the slots in the nut, tighten the nut until they are aligned.





5. Bend the cotter pin as shown to prevent the pin from working loose.
6. Install the grease fitting. Grease the ball joint.
7. Install the front brake caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement in Brakes and Traction Control.
8. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal/ and Installation in Wheels, Tires and Alignment.
9. Remove the safety stands.
10. Lower the vehicle.
11. Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications in Wheel Alignment.