The lower ball joint is an integral part of the lower control and cannot be
replaced separately. If the lower ball joint is defective, the entire lower
control arm must be replaced.
- Raise and safely support the vehicle. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
- Remove the ball joint stud pinch bolt and nut from the steering knuckle.
Pry the lower control arm down from the knuckle, and separate the ball joint
from the knuckle.
- Remove the bolt and nut and remove the ball joint from the lower control
arm.
- Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure. Tighten the ball joint-to-lower
control arm bolt and nut to 86 ft. lbs. (117 Nm). Tighten the ball joint pinch
bolt and nut to 43 ft. lbs. (59 Nm). Check the front wheel alignment.
| Fig. 1: Exploded view of a common lower control arm
with replaceable ball joint
|
