Ball Joint Inspection
Ball Joint Inspection1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
2. Prior to carrying out any inspection of the ball joints, inspect the front wheel bearings.
3. Position a safety stand beneath the front axle to be tested.
4. While an assistant pulls and pushes the bottom of the tire, observe the relative movement between the lower spindle arm and the front axle. Any movement at or exceeding the specification indicates a worn or damaged lower ball joint. Install a new lower ball joint as necessary.
5. While an assistant pulls and pushes the top of the tire, observe the relative movement between the upper spindle arm and the front axle. Movement at or exceeding the specification indicates a worn or damaged upper ball joint. Install a new upper ball joint as necessary.
NOTE: To inspect the ball Joints for binding (torque required to turn), carry out Steps 6 through 12.
6. Place the vehicle on the alignment rack with the front wheels on low friction turn plates.
7. Remove the outer tie-rod cotter pin and nut.
8. Disconnect the tie-rod from the wheel knuckle.
9. Install a bolt and nut through the hole in the wheel knuckle and tighten the nut.
10. Attach a suitable click-style torque wrench that is set at 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.) to the nut, making sure that the handle of the wrench is pointing towards the front of the vehicle.
11. Pull on the torque wrench, turning the wheel knuckle outwards.
12. If the torque wrench clicks before the wheel knuckle begins to turn, install a new lower ball joint and a new upper ball joint.