Ball Joint: Service and Repair
FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTCOMPONENTS (Part 1):
COMPONENTS (Part 2):
REMOVAL
1. REMOVE FRONT WHEEL
2. SEPARATE SPEED SENSOR FRONT (for 2WD)
3. SEPARATE SPEED SENSOR FRONT (for 4WD)
4. SEPARATE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER ARM
5. REMOVE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY (for 2WD)
6. REMOVE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY (for 4WD)
7. REMOVE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER WITH COIL SPRING (for 2WD)
8. REMOVE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER WITH COIL SPRING (for 4WD)
9. REMOVE FRONT STABILIZER LINK ASSEMBLY (for 2WD)
10. REMOVE FRONT STABILIZER LINK ASSEMBLY (for 4WD)
11. REMOVE ENGINE UNDER COVER
12. REMOVE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER ARM (for 2WD)
13. REMOVE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER ARM (for 4WD)
14. REMOVE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT
(a) Clamp the front suspension lower arm in a vise using aluminum plates.
(b) Remove the clip and castle nut.
(c) Use SST to remove the front lower ball joint from the front suspension lower arm.
SST 09950-40011 (09951-04010, 09952-04010, 09953-04020, 09954-04010, 09955-04051, 09957-04010, 09958-04011)
NOTICE:
^ Do not damage the front suspension lower arm.
^ Do not damage the lower ball joint dust boots.
^ Completely engage the SST to the spacer of the front suspension. (for 4WD)
^ If the spacer of the front suspension lower arm comes off, replace the front suspension lower arm with a new one. (for 4WD)
INSPECTION
1. INSPECT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT
(a) Inspect the turning of the front lower ball joint.
(1) Flip the ball joint stud back and forth 5 time as shown in the illustration.
(2) Temporarily install the nut, use a torque wrench to turn the nut continuously at a rate of 3 to 5 seconds per turn. Take the torque reading on the 5th turn.
Turning torque: 6.0 N*m (61 kgf*cm, 53 in.*lbf) or less
(b) Inspect the turning of the tie rod ball joint.
(1) Flip the ball joint stud back and forth 5 time as shown in the illustration.
(2) Temporarily install the nut, use a torque wrench to turn the nut continuously at a rate of 3 to 5 seconds per turn. Take the torque reading on the 5th turn.
Turning torque: 0.8 N*m (8.2 kgf*cm, 7.1 in.*lbf) or less
(c) Check the dust boots for cracks or grease leakage. If the value is not within the specified range, replace the front lower ball joint with a new one.
INSTALLATION
1. INSTALL FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT
(a) Install the front lower ball joint to the front suspension lower arm with the castle nut.
NOTICE:
Ensure that the thread and taper are free of oil etc.
Torque:
2WD 162 N*m (1,650 kgf*cm, 120 ft.*lbf)
4WD 125 N*m (1,280 kgf*cm, 92 ft.*lbf)
(b) Install a new clip to the front lower ball joint.
NOTICE:
Further tighten the nut up to 60° if the holes for the cotter pin are not aligned.
2. INSTALL FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER ARM (for 2WD)
3. INSTALL FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER ARM (for 4WD)
4. INSTALL FRONT STABILIZER LINK ASSEMBLY (for 2WD)
5. INSTALL FRONT STABILIZER LINK ASSEMBLY (for 4WD)
6. TEMPORARILY TIGHTEN FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER WITH COIL SPRING (for 2WD)
7. TEMPORARILY TIGHTEN FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER WITH COIL SPRING (for 4WD)
8. CONNECT TIE ROD ASSEMBLY (for 2WD)
9. CONNECT TIE ROD ASSEMBLY (for 4WD)
10. CONNECT FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER ARM (for 4WD)
11. CONNECT SPEED SENSOR FRONT (for 2WD)
12. CONNECT SPEED SENSOR FRONT (for 4WD)
13. HEIGHT CONTROL SENSOR LINK SUB-ASSEMBLY
14. STABILIZE SUSPENSION
15. FULLY TIGHTEN FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER WITH COIL SPRING (for 2WD)
16. FULLY TIGHTEN FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER WITH COIL SPRING (for 4WD)
17. FULLY TIGHTEN FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER ARM (for 2WD)
18. FULLY TIGHTEN FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER ARM (for 4WD)
19. INSTALL ENGINE UNDER COVER
20. INSTALL FRONT WHEEL
Torque: 103 N*m (1,050 kgf*cm, 76 ft.*lbf)
21. INSPECT AND ADJUST FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT