Disassembly and Assembly
FRONT SUSPENSIONDISASSEMBLY - LOWER CONTROL ARM (BALL JOINT)
NOTE: The removal and installation of the lower ball joint from the lower control arm is to be done with the lower control arm removed from the vehicle.
1. Using a screwdriver or other suitable tool, pry the seal boot off of the ball joint.
2. Position the Receiver, Special Tool 6908-2, on a hydraulic press to support the lower control arm. Place the control arm on top of Tool 6908-2 so that the bottom of the ball joint sets into the Receiver cup.
3. Place the larger end of the Adapter, Special Tool 6804, on top of the ball joint as shown.
4. Using the hydraulic press, press the ball joint completely out of the lower control arm, into the receiver.
5. Remove the tools, ball joint and arm from the hydraulic press.
DISASSEMBLY - LOWER CONTROL ARM (REAR ISOLATOR BUSHING)
NOTE: The removal and installation of the rear isolator bushing from the lower control arm is only to be done with the lower control arm removed from the vehicle.
NOTE: The front isolator bushing is not serviceable.
1. Install the Remover Receiver, Special Tool 8373-1, into the cup of the Ball Joint Press, Special Tool C-4212F, and tighten the set screw. Install the Remover Driver, Special Tool 8373-2, on the tip of the Ball Joint Press screw-drive.
2. Place the lower control arm outer flange against the Receiver as shown. Tighten the screw-drive until the Driver contacts the outer circumference of the bushing evenly. Continue to tighten the screw-drive until the bushing is pressed completely out of the lower control arm.
3. Back off the screw-drive and remove the lower control arm and isolator bushing from the Receiver.
4. Remove the driver 8373-2 and receiver 8373-1 from the ball joint press C-4212F.
ASSEMBLY - LOWER CONTROL ARM (BALL JOINT)
CAUTION: When installing a ball joint in its mounting hole in the lower control arm, position the ball joint so the notch in the ball joint stud is facing the lower control arm front isolator bushing. This will ease assembly of the ball joint to the steering knuckle when the installation of the pinch bolt is attempted.
1. By hand, position ball joint into it's bore on the lower control arm. To avoid binding upon installation, be sure the ball joint is not cocked in the bore.
2. Position the Installer, Special Tool 6758, on a hydraulic press to support the lower control arm. Place the control arm on top of Tool 6758 in the upside-down position, aligning the ball joint stud squarely with the Installer's cup.
3. Place the larger end of the Adapter, Special Tool 6804, on top of the ball joint as shown.
4. Using the hydraulic press, press the ball joint into the lower control arm until the shoulder on the ball joint bottoms against the lower control arm ball joint bore. Do not apply excessive pressure against ball joint and lower control arm once the ball joint bottoms.
5. Remove the tools and arm from the hydraulic press.
CAUTION: When installing the sealing boot on the ball joint, position the upward lip on the outside perimeter of the seal boot outward, away from the control arm once installed. It is there to help shield heat from the sealing boot.
6. Place a new ball joint seal boot over the ball joint stud. The upward lip located on the outside perimeter of the seal boot must point outward away from the control arm once installed. Start the sealing boot over the sides of the ball joint by hand.
7. Position the Installer, Special Tool 6758, over the sealing boot outer diameter as shown. By hand, apply pressure to the top of the Installer until the seal boot is pressed squarely down against the top surface of lower control arm.
8. Remove the tool.
9. Install the lower control arm on the vehicle.
NOTE: If the ball joint is equipped with a lubeable grease fitting, the joint will need to be lubricated once the lower control arm installation is complete.
ASSEMBLY - LOWER CONTROL ARM (REAR ISOLATOR BUSHING)
1. Back the ball joint press C-4212F set screw outward so it does not extend out into the cup area.
2. Start the bushing in the lower control arm bushing bore by hand. Position the bushing so the voids in the rubber are aligned in relationship to the ball joint as shown.
3. Install the Receiver, Special Tool 6760, on the tip of the Ball Joint Press screw drive.
4. Place the lower control arm flange against the cup area of the ball joint press and tighten the screwdriver until the Receiver contacts the outer circumference of the bushing. Slowly tighten the screw-drive until the bushing bottoms in the lower control arm bushing bore.
5. Back off the Ball Joint Press screw-drive and remove the power steering gear from the press.
6. Install the lower control arm on the vehicle.