Ball Joint Replacement

REAR

The rear upper control arm must be removed from the vehicle for replacement of the ball joint.

REMOVAL

Ball Joint Seal Boot Removal:

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

Removing Ball Joint From Upper Control Arm:

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

INSTALLATION
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 supporting lower control arm. Then install Remover/Installer, Special Tool 6804 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.

Ball Joint Seal Boot Installation:

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