Ball Joint: Service and Repair

REMOVAL
1. REMOVE FRONT WHEEL





2. REMOVE BRAKE CALIPER
a. Remove the 2 bolts and brake caliper from the steering knuckle.
b. Support the brake caliper securely.
c. Remove the disc.
3. DISCONNECT TIE ROD END FROM LOWER BALL JOINT
a. Remove the clip and nut.





b. Using SST, disconnect the tie rod end.
SST 09610-20012
4. DISCONNECT LOWER BALL JOINT FROM LOWER SUSPENSION ARM
a. Remove the cotter pin and nut.





b. Using SST, remove the lower ball joint.
SST 09628-62011
5. REMOVE LOWER BALL JOINT
Remove the 2 bolts and lower ball joint from the steering knuckle.

INSPECTION
1. INSPECT LOWER BALL JOINT BOOT FOR DAMAGE





2. INSPECT LOWER BALL JOINT FOR ROTATION CONDITION
a. As shown in the illustration, flip the ball joint stud back and forth 5 times, before installing the nut.
b. Using torque wrench, turn the nut continuously 1 turn per 2 - 4 seconds and take the torque reading on the 5th turn.
Turning torque: 0.5 - 3.0 Nm (5 - 30 kgf-cm, 0.4 - 26 inch lbs.)

INSTALLATION
1. INSTALL LOWER BALL JOINT
a. Install the lower ball joint to the steering knuckle with the 2 bolts.
Torque: 113 Nm (1,150 kgf-cm, 83 ft. lbs.)
b. Connect the lower ball joint to the No. 1 lower suspension arm with the nut.
Torque: 123 Nm (1,250 kgf-cm, 91 ft. lbs.)
c. Install a new cotter pin.
If the holes for the cotter pin are not aligned, tighten the nut further up to 60°.
2. CONNECT TIE ROD END TO LOWER BALL JOINT
a. Connect the tie rod end with the nut.
Torque: 54 Nm (550 kgf-cm, 40 ft. lbs.)
b. Install a new clip.
If the holes for the clip are not aligned, tighten the nut further up to 60°.
3. INSTALL DISC AND BRAKE CALIPER
Install the disc, brake caliper and 2 bolts.
Torque: 118 Nm (1,200 kgf-cm, 87 ft. lbs.)
4. INSTALL FRONT WHEEL
Torque: 103 Nm (1,050 kgf-cm, 76 ft. lbs.)
5. CHECK FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT