FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Lower Ball Joint


UPPER BALL JOINT

Off Vehicle
1. Remove ball joint.
2. Move ball joint stud back and forth five times then install nut.
3. Using torque wrench, turn nut continuously one turn per 2-4 seconds and take torque reading on fifth turn.
4. If torque reading is not 9-29 in. lb., replace ball joint.

LOWER BALL JOINT

On Vehicle
1. On models with air suspension, place height control switch located in luggage compartment to Off position.
2. Raise and support front of vehicle.
3. Ensure wheels are in straight ahead position.
4. Raise lower suspension arm until there is about half a load on front coil spring.
5. Move front wheel up and down and ensure that ball joint has no excessive play. Maximum lower ball joint vertical play is .012 inch.
6. On models with air suspension, return height control switch to the On position.

Off Vehicle
1. Remove ball joint.
2. Move ball joint stud back and forth five times then install nut.
3. Using torque wrench, turn nut continuously one turn per 2-4 seconds and take torque reading on fifth turn.
4. If torque reading is not 0-4.3 in. lb., replace upper suspension arm and ball joint.