Ball Joint: Service and Repair

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





2. Position Receiving Cup, Special Tool 6758, or equivalent to support lower control arm while receiving ball joint assembly. Install Remover/Installer, Special Tool 6804, or equivalent in top of ball joint assembly.
3. Using arbor press, press ball joint assembly completely out of lower control arm.

CAUTION: When installing ball joint in its mounting hole in lower control arm, position ball joint so notch in ball joint stud is facing the front lower control arm bushing. This will ease assembly of ball joint to steering knuckle when attempting to install pinch bolt.

INSTALLATION
1. By hand, position ball joint assembly into ball joint bore of lower 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.





2. Position assembly in an arbor press with Receiving Cup, Special Tool 6758, or equivalent supporting lower control arm. Then install Remover/Installer, Special Tool 6804, or equivalent on the bottom of the ball joint assembly.
3. Carefully align all pieces. Using the arbor press apply pressure against ball joint assembly, until ball joint is fully seated against bottom surface of lower control arm. Do not apply excessive pressure against ball joint and lower control arm.
4. Install a NEW ball joint assembly sealing boot on ball joint assembly. Install sealing boot as far as possible 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 do to excessive pressure applied to sealing boot when being installed.





5. Position Receiving Cup, Special Tool 6758, or equivalent over sealing boot so it is aligned properly with bottom edge of sealing boot. Apply pressure BY HAND to special tool 6758, or equivalent until sealing boot is pressed squarely against top surface of lower control arm.