Ball Joint: Service and Repair

REPLACEMENT

HINT:
^ Use the same procedures for the RH side and LH side.
^ The procedures listed are for the LH side.
^ A bolt without a torque specification is shown in the standard bolt chart.

1. REMOVE WHEEL HUB ORNAMENT SUB-ASSEMBLY
a. Remove the 10 bolts and ornament.
2. REMOVE FRONT WHEEL
a. Remove the 5 nuts and wheel.





3. INSPECT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY
a. Install the hub nuts to the disc.
b. Using a dial indicator, measure the lower ball joint for excessive play when you push the hub nuts up and down with a force of 294 N (30 kgf, 66 lbs).
Maximum: 0.4 mm (0.016 inch)
If the joint play is not as specified, replace the lower ball joint.





4. REMOVE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY
a. Remove the cotter pin and nut.
b. Remove the 2 bolts.





c. Using SST, remove the lower ball joint.
SST 09628-62011





5. DISCONNECT TIE ROD ASSEMBLY LH
a. Remove the clip and nut.
b. Using SST, disconnect the tie rod end from the lower ball joint.
SST 09628-62011





6. INSPECT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY
a. As shown in the illustration, move the ball joint stud back and forth 5 times before installing the nut.
b. Using a torque wrench, turn the nut continuously at a rate of 2 to 4 seconds per turn and take the torque reading on the fifth turn.
Turning torque: 0.1 to 3.0 Nm (1 to 30 kgf-cm, 0.9 to 26 inch lbs.)
c. Check for any cracks or grease leaks on the ball joint dust cover.

HINT: Check for unusual resistance or looseness as you turn the torque wrench.





7. INSTALL FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY
a. Install the lower ball joint to the lower suspension arm.
b. Install the nut and a new cotter pin.
Torque: 162 Nm (1,650 kgf-cm, 119 ft. lbs.)
c. Install the lower ball joint with the 2 bolts.
Torque: 113 Nm (1,150 kgf-cm, 83 ft. lbs.)
8. INSTALL TIE ROD ASSEMBLY LH
a. Install the tie rod LH to the lower ball joint.
b. Install the nut and clip.
Torque: 87 Nm (890 kgf-cm, 64 ft. lbs.)
9. INSTALL FRONT WHEEL
a. Install the wheel with the 5 nuts.
Torque: 103 Nm (1,050 kgf-cm, 76 ft. lbs.)
10. STABILIZE SUSPENSION
11. INSTALL WHEEL HUB ORNAMENT SUB-ASSEMBLY
a. Install the ornament with the 10 bolts.
Torque: 20 Nm (204 kgf-cm, 15 ft. lbs.)