Removal

REMOVAL
1. Raise vehicle on jack stands or centered on a frame contact type hoist.
2. Remove the tire and wheel from the vehicle.

NOTE: Removing the tie rod end from the steering knuckle allows the steering knuckle to be turned further. This allows better access to the steering knuckle when striking it to remove the ball joint stud from the steering knuckle.

Fig. 31:

3. Remove nut attaching the outer tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Nut is to be removed from tie rod end using the following procedure, hold tie rod end stud with a 11/32 socket while loosening and removing nut with wrench.

Fig. 32:

4. Remove the tie rod end from the steering knuckle using Remover, Special Tool MB-991113.

Fig. 33:

5. Remove cotter pin and castle nut from stud of lower ball joint.

CAUTION: No tool is to be inserted between the steering knuckle and the lower ball joint to separate the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle. The steering knuckle is to be separated from the ball joint only using the procedure as described in step Step 6 below.

CAUTION: When striking the steering knuckle, do not hit the heat shield covering the ball joint grease seal. Bending the heat shield against the ball joint grease seal will cause the grease seal to fail.

Fig. 34:

6. Turn steering knuckle so the front of the steering knuckle is facing as far outboard in the wheel opening as possible. Using a hammer, strike steering knuckle boss until steering knuckle separates from the lower ball joint. When striking steering knuckle care MUST be taken not to hit lower control arm or ball joint grease seal.

CAUTION: Pulling the steering knuckle outward from the vehicle after releasing it from the ball joint, can separate inner C/V joint.

Fig. 35:

7. Remove the shock absorber clevis to lower control arm bushing, nut and thru-bolt. Separate the clevis from lower control arm.

Fig. 36:

8. Remove nut attaching the stabilizer bar link to the lower control arm. When removing nut, hold stud of stabilizer bar link from turning by inserting an alien wrench in the end of the stud

Fig. 37:

9. Remove the bolts attaching the one stabilizer bar bushing clamp to the front suspension crossmember and the body of the vehicle.
10. Lower the one side of the stabilizer bar away from the lower control arm and body of vehicle.

Fig. 38:

11. Remove the nut and bolt attaching the rear of the lower control arm to the front suspension crossmember.

Fig. 39:

12. Remove nut and bolt attaching the front of the lower control arm to the front suspension crossmember.

CAUTION: When removing lower control arm from crossmember care must be taken to prevent hitting lower ball joint seal against steering knuckle, causing damage to the ball joint seal.

13. Remove the front of the lower control arm from the front suspension crossmember first.
14. Then, remove the rear of the lower control arm from the front suspension crossmember. When removing rear of lower control arm from crossmember, keep control arm as level as possible. This will keep rear bushing from binding on crossmember making it easier to remove control arm from crossmember.