Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint - Removal

REMOVAL

Special Tools:






NOTE: Before proceeding, review all Warnings and Cautions. Warning

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Maintenance





2. Remove the wheel mounting nuts (3), then the tire and wheel assembly (1).





3. While a helper applies the brakes to keep the hub from rotating, remove the hub nut (1) from the axle half shaft (2).
4. Access and remove the front brake rotor. Brake Rotor - Removal





5. Remove the routing clip (1) securing wheel speed sensor cable to the knuckle (4).
6. Remove the screw (2) fastening the wheel speed sensor head (3) to the knuckle (4). Pull the sensor head out of the knuckle.





7. Remove the nut (4) attaching the lower ball joint to the lower control arm (5).





8. Release the lower ball joint (5) from the lower control arm (1) using Remover (2), Special Tool. Do not lift the knuckle out of the lower control arm at this time.





9. Lift the knuckle (2) out of the lower control arm (5).

NOTE: Do not allow the half shaft (1) to hang by the inner C/V joint; it must be supported to keep the joint from separating during this operation.

10. Pull the knuckle (2) off the axle half shaft (1) outer C/V joint splines and support the half shaft.





11. Through the access hole (1) in the knuckle, tap the ends of the snap-ring (2) with a drift punch and remove it from the ball joint.





12. Install Remover (2), Special Tool , and Remover (4), Special Tool on Remover/Installer (5), Special Tool. Place the tools over the ball joint (3) as shown, then hand tighten the screw-drive.
13. Using hand-tools, tighten the screw-drive forcing the ball joint (3) out of the knuckle (1).
14. Loosen the screw-drive and remove the tools and ball joint.