Ball Joint: Description and Operation

DESCRIPTION
The ball joint is an integral part of the control arm and has a non-tapered stud with a notch for clamp (pinch) bolt installation. The stud is clamped and locked into the steering knuckle leg using a clamp (pinch) bolt.
The ball joint used in the lower control arm of this vehicle is a sealed-for-life ball joint and requires no maintenance lubrication. The ball joint cannot be serviced separately from the lower control arm. If the ball joint is determined to be defective it will require replacement of the complete lower control arm. Refer to Testing and Inspection for proper testing of the ball joint.

NOTE: The ball joint does not require any type of additional lubrication for the life of the vehicle. No attempt should be made to ever add any lubrication to the lower ball joint.

OPERATION
The ball joint is a pivotal joint on the lower control arm that allows the knuckle to move up and down, and turn with ease.