Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - LOWER BALL JOINT

1. Raise vehicle on a drive-on hoist.

NOTE: If a drive-on hoist is not available, use wooden blocks with jack stands to support the lower control arm in the ball joint area. Place the jack stands appropriately and lower the hoist placing weight on the lower control arm. The lower control arms should now be supporting the vehicle weight.

2. Using a jack, lift the front end off the hoist and position a wooden block underneath lower control arm supporting that corner of the vehicles weight.
3. Remove tire and wheel assembly. Tires And Wheels - Removal
4. Attach a dial indicator as follows:
a. AWD Lower Control Arm - Attach a dial indicator to base of lower control arm, then align dial indicator's contact pointer with direction of stud axis and touch machined flat on knuckle near ball joint. Zero dial indicator.
b. RWD Tension Strut - Attach a dial indicator to base of tension strut, then align dial indicator's contact pointer with direction of stud axis and touch machined flat on knuckle near ball joint. Zero dial indicator.
c. RWD Lower Control Arm - Attach a dial indicator to base of lower control arm, then align dial indicator's contact pointer with direction of stud axis and touch machined flat on knuckle near ball joint. Zero dial indicator.

NOTE: Use care when applying the load to the knuckle so as to not damage components of the suspension.

5. Insert a pry bar and rest it against lower control arm or tension strut (depending on which is being tested) and use lever principle to push knuckle upward until dial indicator no longer moves.
6. Record any ball joint movement. If movement in the lower control arm exceeds 1.5 mm (.059 in.), the ball joint is faulty.
7. If the lower ball joint for an All-Wheel-Drive vehicle needs replaced, the lower control arm needs to be replaced. Front Lower Control Arm - Removal
8. If the ball joint for the lower control arm on a Rear-Wheel-Drive vehicle needs replaced, it can be serviced separately.
9. If the tension strut ball joint (RWD vehicle) needs replaced, the entire tension strut needs to be replaced.