Front Lower Ball Joint

FRONT SUSPENSION: FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT: INSPECTION

1. INSPECT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY

(a) Check for looseness.

(1) Lift up the vehicle.

(2) Move the front lower suspension arm up and down by hand (294 N {30 kgf} or more) to check that there is no looseness at the ball joint assembly.





(b) Inspect the turning torque of the ball joint assembly.





(1) Secure the front lower ball joint assembly in a vise using aluminum plates.

(2) Install the nut to the front lower ball joint stud.

(3) Using a torque wrench, turn the nut continuously at a rate of 3 to 5 seconds per turn and take the torque reading on the 5th turn.

Torque : 0.98 to 3.43 Nm (10 to 35 kgf-cm, 9 to 30 in-lbf)

HINT
If the turning torque is not within the specified range, replace the front lower ball joint assembly with a new one.

(c) Inspect the dust cover.

(1) Check that the dust cover is not cracked and that there is no grease on it.