Upper Ball Joint

- Tools Required
- J 23742 Ball Joint Separator

Removal Procedure





1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.

Caution: Floor jack must remain under the lower control arm during removal and installation to retain the lower control arm in position. Failure to do so could result in personal injury.

2. Support the lower control arm with a safety stand.
3. Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.





4. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor connector from the upper control arm.
5. Remove the cotter pin and the upper ball joint retaining nut.





6. Separate the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle using J 23742.
Apply pressure on the tool until the stud breaks loose.
7. Remove J 23742.
8. Pull the steering knuckle free from the upper ball joint.
9. Support the steering knuckle in order to prevent the steering knuckle weight from damaging the brake hose.





10. Use a 3.175 mm (1/8 inch) drill bit in order to cut 6.35 mm (1/4 inch) deep holes in the center of each rivet head.





11. Drill away the rivet heads using a 12.7 mm (1/2 inch) drill bit.





12. Using a small pin punch, punch out the rivets.
13. Remove the upper ball joint from the upper control arm.

Installation Procedure





1. Install the upper ball joint to the upper control arm.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

2. Install the upper ball joint to upper control arm mounting bolts and nuts.
- Tighten the upper ball joint to upper control arm mounting nuts to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.).
3. Remove the steering knuckle support.





4. Connect the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle.
5. Install the upper ball joint retaining nut.
- Tighten the upper ball joint retaining nut to 83 Nm (61 ft. lbs.).
6. Install a new cotter pin.
- Tighten the nut up to an additional 1/6 amount in order to insert the cotter pin through the upper ball joint stud. Bend the pin ends flat against the nut flats.
7. Connect the wheel speed sensor connector.
8. Install the upper ball joint grease fitting.
9. Using a grease gun, grease the upper ball joint until grease appears at the upper ball joint grease seal.
10. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
11. Remove the safety stands from the lower control arm.
12. Lower the vehicle.
13. Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Measuring Wheel Alignment.