Ball Joint: Service and Repair

REMOVAL - LOWER BALL JOINT SEAL BOOT
1. Remove steering knuckle from vehicle.





2. Using a screwdriver or other suitable tool, pry seal boot off of ball joint (Fig. 35).

INSTALLATION
1. Wipe off used grease around ball joint stem.





CAUTION: When installing the sealing boot on the ball joint, position the upward lip on the seal boot outside perimeter outward, away from the control arm once installed (Fig. 36). It is there to help shield heat from the sealing boot.

2. Place NEW ball joint seal boot over ball joint stem. Upward lip located on outside perimeter of seal boot must point outward, away from control arm once installed (Fig. 36).
3. By hand, start sealing boot over sides of the ball joint.
4. Position Installer, Special Tool 6758, over sealing boot outer diameter as shown (Fig. 36). By hand, apply pressure to top of Installer until seal boot is pressed squarely down against top surface of lower control arm.
5. Remove tool.
6. Remove headless grease fitting on ball joint and replace it with standard zirc-type grease fitting. Do not discard headless grease fitting.

CAUTION: It is important to lubricate the ball joint before installation of steering knuckle to allow proper venting when the seal is filled. If the ball joint is lubricated after installation to knuckle, damage to the seal can occur.

7. Using a hand operated pump grease gun, fill the ball joint seal boot with Mopar Multi-Mileage Lube or equivalent until grease pushes out past ball joint stem. Wipe off overfill.
8. Remove standard zirc-type grease fitting and reinstall headless grease fitting on ball joint to prevent future lubricating.
9. Install steering knuckle.