With Heavy Duty Suspension

Upper Ball Joint Replacement (Heavy Duty Suspension)

- Tools Required
- J 23742 Ball Joint Separator

Removal Procedure

Caution: Refer to Vehicle Lifting Caution in Service Precautions.





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

Caution: Refer to Floor Jack Caution in Service Precautions.

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

Notice: Refer to Brake Caliper Notice in Service Precautions.

4. Remove the brake caliper.





5. Remove the nut and the bolt that retains the wheel speed sensor harness bracket to the upper control arm.





6. Center punch the rivets retaining the ball joint to the control arm. 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.





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





8. Punch the rivets out using a small punch.





9. Remove the upper ball joint cotter pin and retaining nut from the ball joint stud.
10. Using the J 23742 separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle.
11. Remove the J 23742.
12. Pull the stud away from the knuckle.
13. Remove the ball joint.

Installation Procedure





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

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

2. Install the 4 attaching bolts and nuts.
- Tighten the upper ball joint retaining nuts to 24 Nm (18 ft. lbs.).





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





5. Install a new cotter pin. Align the slot 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.





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





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

Important: Check the running clearance at all of the suspension components.

9. Install the tire and wheel.
10. Remove the safety stands.
11. Lower the vehicle.
12. Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications.