Upper Ball Joint Replacement

GENERAL INFORMATION
The ball joints are replaceable ONLY as an assembly, do not attempt any type of repair on the ball joint assembly. The replacement procedure for the ball joint assembly is detailed in this section of the service manual.

The ball joint housing is a pressed fit into the control arm with the joint stud retained in the knuckle by a castle nut. The castle nut is retained on the ball joint stud by a cotter pin.

The procedure for the removal and replacement of the rear control arm ball joint must be done with the rear control arm removed from the vehicle. The ball joint will require the use of an arbor press to remove and install it on the control arm. For the required procedure to remove and install the rear control arm.

Fig. 41:

REMOVE
1. Using a screw driver or other suitable tool, pry seal boot up and off of ball joint assembly.

Fig. 42:

2. Position Receiving Cup, Special Tool 6758, or equivalent to support control arm when removing ball joint assembly. Install Remover/Installer, Special Tool 6804, or equivalent on top of ball joint assembly.
3. Using an arbor press, press the ball joint assembly out of the control arm.

INSTALL
1. By hand, position ball joint assembly into ball joint bore of control arm. Be sure ball joint assembly is not cocked in the bore of the control arm, this will cause binding of the ball joint assembly, when being pressed into lower control arm.

Fig. 43:

2. Position assembly in an arbor press with Receiving Cup, Special Tool 6758, or equivalent supporting lower control arm. Then install Remover/Installer, Special Tool 6804, or equivalent on the top of the ball joint assembly.

CAUTION: When installing the ball joint in the upper control arm, do not press the ball joint into the control arm all the way. The lip on the ball joint must not touch the surface of the control arm. Refer to Step 3 below when installing the ball joint.

3. Carefully align all pieces. Using the arbor press, press the ball joint into the control arm until a gap of 3 mm (1/8 inch) is between lip on ball joint and surface of lower control arm.
4. Install a NEW ball joint assembly sealing boot on ball joint assembly.

CAUTION: Do not use an arbor press to install the sealing boot on the lower control arm ball joint assembly. Damage to the sealing boot can occur due to excessive pressure applied to sealing boot when being installed.





5. Position Receiving Cup, Special Tool 6758, or equivalent over sealing boot so it is aligned properly with bottom edge of sealing boot. Apply pressure BY HAND to special tool 6758, or equivalent until sealing boot is pressed squarely against surface of control arm.