Front Lower Ball Joint: Inspection

INSPECT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT
1. Inspect the turning torque of the ball joint.
  1. Secure the front lower ball joint in a vise using aluminum plates.
  2. Install the nut to the front lower ball joint stud.
  3. Using a torque wrench, turn the nut continuously at a rate of 3 to 5 seconds per turn and take the torque reading on the 5th turn.
    Turning torque: 0.7 to 4.5 N*m (7 to 46 kgf*cm, 6.2 to 40 in.*lbf)
    
    If the turning torque is not within the specified range, replace the front lower ball joint with a new one.
    
    Fig 1: Identifying Front Lower Ball Joint
    Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
2. Inspect the dust cover.
  1. Check that the dust cover is not cracked and that there is no grease on it.