Front Suspension
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATIONCaution
*:Indicates parts which should be temporarily tightened, and then fully tightened with the vehicle on the ground in an unladen condition.
Post-installation Operation
^ Check the dust cover for cracks or damage by pushing it with your finger.
^ Front Wheel Alignment Check and Adjustment
Removal Steps
[[A]] 1. Lower Arm And Knuckle Connection
2. Lower Arm Assembly
Required Special Tool:
- MB991897: Ball Joint Remover
REMOVAL SERVICE POINT
[[A]] Lower Arm And Knuckle Disconnection
Caution
^ Do not remove the nut from ball joint. Loosen it and use special tool MB991897 to avoid possible damage to ball joint threads.
^ Hang special tool MB991897 with a cord to prevent it from falling.
1. Replace the self-locking nut for lower arm ball joint with a regular nut because the original one is a little bit large to install the special tool. And then install special tool MB991897 as shown in the figure.
2. Turn the bolt and knob as necessary to make the jaws of special tool MB991897 parallel tighten the bolt by hand and confirm that the jaws are still parallel.
NOTE: When adjusting the jaws in parallel make sure the knob is in the position shown in the figure.
3. Tighten the bolt with a wrench to disconnect the ball joint.
INSPECTION
^ Check the bushing for wear and deterioration.
^ Check the lower arm assembly for bending or breakage.
^ Check all bolts for condition and straightness.
LOWER ARM BALL JOINT BREAKAWAY TORQUE CHECK
Required Special Tool:
^ MB990326: Preload Socket
1. Move the ball joint stud several times and install the lower arm nut on the stud. Using special tool MB990326 measure the ball joint breakaway torque.
Standard value: 3.5 - 6.9 Nm (31 - 61 in-lb)
2. If the measured value is not within the standard value or if the ball joint is difficult to turn or does not turn smoothly replace the lower arm assembly.
LOWER ARM BALL JOINT DUST COVER CHECK
1. Check the dust cover for cracks or damage by pushing it with your finger.
2. If the dust cover is cracked or damaged replace the lower arm assembly.
NOTE: Cracks or damage to the dust cover may cause damage to the ball joint. When it is damaged during service work, replace the dust cover
LOWER ARM BALL JOINT DUST COVER REPLACEMENT
Required Special Tool:
^MB990776: Front Axle Base
If the dust cover is damaged accidentally during service work replace the dust cover as follows:
1. Remove the dust cover.
2. Apply the multipurpose grease SAE J310 NLGI No.2 or equivalent to the lip and the inside of a new dust cover. Grease amount for the inside the dust cover (reference): 13 ±0.5 g (0.45 ±0.02 oz)
3. Using special tool MB990776 drive in the dust cover until it is fully seated.
4. Position the dust cover as shown in the illustration. Make sure that there is no abnormal bulge or pressure applied to the dust cover.
5. Check the dust cover for cracks or damage by pushing it with your finger.
LOWER ARM BUSHING (REAR) REPLACEMENT
Required Special Tools:
^ MB991963: Suspension Bushing Arbor
^ MB990889: Rear Suspension Bushing Ring
^ MB990890: Rear Suspension Bushing Base
Replace the lower arm bushing as follows:
1. Use special tools MB991963 and MB990890 to drive out the lower arm bushing.
2. Position the lower arm bushing so that its projections are positioned as shown and then use special tools MB991963 MB990889 and MB990890 to press in the lower arm bushing.
CAUTION
When pressing in the lower arm bushing, take care not to deform the lower arm.
3. Press the lower arm bushing until its outer tube is flush with the lower arm assembly surface while checking that the press-in pressure is at the standard value. If the press-in pressure is lower than the standard value replace the lower arm assembly.
Standard value: 10 kN (2,248 pounds) or more