Ball Joint: Service and Repair

FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT

Components:

Components For 4wd:

REMOVAL
1. REMOVE FRONT LOWER SUSPENSION ARM (for 2WD)
2. REMOVE FRONT LOWER SUSPENSION ARM (for 4WD)
3. REMOVE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT





a) Fix the front lower suspension 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 lower suspension arm.
SST 09950-40011 (09951-04010, 09952-04010, 09953-04020, 09954-04010, 09955-04051,09957-04010, 09958-04011)

NOTICE:
^ Do not damage the front lower suspension 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 lower suspension arm comes off, replace the front lower suspension 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 times as shown in the illustration.
2) Temporarily install the nut, and 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: 0.5 to 6.0 Nm (5.1 to 61 kgf-cm, 4.4 to 53 inch lbs.)
b) Inspect the turning of the tie rod ball joint.
1) Flip the ball joint stud back and forth 5 times as shown in the illustration.
2) Temporarily install the nut, and 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 to 4.5 Nm (8.2 to 45.9 kgf-cm, 7.1 to 39.8 inch lbs.) 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 lower suspension arm with the nut.

NOTICE: Ensure that the thread and taper are free of oil or other foreign matter.

Torque: 2WD 162 Nm (1,650 kgf-cm, 120 ft. lbs.)
4WD 125 Nm (1,273 kgf-cm, 92 ft. lbs.)
b) Install anew clip to the front lower ball joint.

NOTICE: Further tighten the nut up to 600 if the holes for the cotter pin are not aligned.

2. INSTALL FRONT LOWER SUSPENSION ARM (for 2WD)
3. INSTALL FRONT LOWER SUSPENSION ARM (for 4WD)