Upper Ball Joint: Removal
- Raise and support vehicle with jackstand under lower control arm between ball joint and spring seat. Jackstand must remain under lower control arm during upper ball joint servicing to maintain lower control arm and coil spring positioning.
- Remove wheel and tire assembly. Remove brake caliper and hang aside with wire. DO NOT allow brake caliper to hang by brakeline. Remove grease fitting and cotter pin from upper ball joint stud. Loosen ball joint stud nut 2 turns. DO NOT remove nut at this time.
- Install Ball Joint Separator (J-23742 ) between upper and lower ball joint studs. See Figure. Extend bolt on ball joint separator to loosen ball joint stud from steering knuckle. Remove ball joint separator and ball joint stud nut. Separate ball joint from steering knuckle.
- Using drill and 1/8" (3.18 mm) drill bit, drill 1/4" (6.35 mm) deep hole in ball joint retaining rivets. Using 1/2" (12.7 mm) drill bit, drill out rivet heads. Using a hammer and small punch, drive out rivets and remove upper ball joint from upper control arm.
CAUTION:
When installing upper and lower ball joint stud nuts, NEVER loosen nut to install cotter pin. Stud nuts may be tightened up to 40 ft. lbs. (54 N.m) in excess of specified torque specification.