Ball Joint: Service and Repair
LOWER BALL JOINTREMOVAL
1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Remove the front wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove the front disc brake caliper (1).
4. Remove the front disc brake rotor (1).
5. Remove the front dust shield by removing the three hex bolts (1).
6. Remove the front shock absorber bolt (1).
7. Remove the front spring (1).
8. Remove the nuts (1 and 2) from the lower ball joint.
CAUTION: Do not use pneumatic tools to tighten the bolt on the special tool.
9. Using Special Tool 9168 Ball Joint Puller (1) press out the outer ball joint stud from the steering knuckle.
10. Using Special Tool 9168 Ball Joint Puller (2) press out the upper ball joint stud from the lower control arm.
INSTALLATION
1. Clean the ball joint tapered bolt and the mounting hole of the steering knuckle.
2. Install the lower ball joint onto the steering knuckle and the lower control arm.
3. Install both nuts (1 and 2). Tighten to 105 Nm (77 ft. lbs.).
4. Install the front disc brake dust shield by installing and tightening the three hex bolts (1).
5. Install the front disc brake rotor (1).
6. Install the front disc brake caliper (1).
7. Install the compressed front spring (1).
8. Install the front shock absorber bolt and nut (1).
9. Install the front wheel and tire assembly.