Upper Ball Joint
The upper front ball joint used on this vehicle is pressed into control arm. See Figure . The upper ball joint uses a tapered stud for attachment of ball joint to steering knuckle. The tapered stud of ball joint is attached to steering knuckle using a special nut and washer. The ball joint is not a replaceable component of upper control arm. If ball joint is found to be defective it will require replacement of complete upper control arm.
Due to upper control arm being made of aluminum and ball joint being made of steel, (dissimilar metals) corrosion may occur between pieces. For this reason, upper ball joint has a corrosion preventative coating applied to it.
The upper ball joint is not a repairable component and must be replaced if it is determined that ball joint is defective. No attempt is to be made in any way to repair ball joint. The (grease) seal boot used on upper ball. See Figure . is not replaceable as a separate component of upper ball joint. If a torn seal boot is noticed when servicing a vehicle, or if a seal boot is torn while vehicle is being serviced, complete upper control arm will require replacement.