Front Lower Ball Joint Replacement

Front Lower Ball Joint Replacement

Special Tools Required

- Ball Joint Remover, 32 mm 07MAC-SL0A102
- Ball Joint Thread Protector, 14 mm 071AF-S3VA000

1. Raise and support the vehicle Service and Repair.

2. Remove the front wheel.

3. Remove the flange bolt and the self-locking nuts from the lower arm (A).

NOTE: During installation, install the new flange bolt and the new self-locking nuts. After lightly tightening all three fasteners, tighten them to the specified torque in the following order; the nut on the front (B), the nut on the rear (C), then the bolt (D).





4. Disconnect the lower ball joint (E) from the lower arm.

5. Remove the spindle nut. Pull the knuckle (A) outward, and separate the outboard joint (B) from the front hub using a soft face hammer.

NOTE:

- Do not pull the driveshaft end outward. The driveshaft inboard joint may come apart.
- During installation, apply grease to the mating surfaces of the wheel bearing and the driveshaft outboard joint.





6. Remove the lock pin (A) from the lower ball joint, then remove the castle nut (B).

NOTE: During installation, install a lock pin as shown after tightening the new castle nut.





7. Disconnect the lower ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint thread protector and the ball joint remover Ball Joint Removal, then remove the lower ball joint.

8. Install the lower ball joint in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:

- First install all of the components, and lightly tighten the bolts and the nuts, then raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight before fully tightening to the specified torque.
- Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when connecting the knuckle.
- Before connecting the lower ball joint to the knuckle, degrease the threaded section and the tapered portion of the ball joint pin, the ball joint connecting hole, the threaded section, and the mating surfaces of the castle nut.
- Torque the castle nut to the lower torque specification, then tighten it only far enough to align the slot with the ball joint pin hole. Do not align the castle nut by loosening it.
- Use a new spindle nut during reassembly.
- Before installing the spindle nut, apply a small amount of engine oil to the seating surface of the nut. After tightening, use a drift to stake the spindle nut shoulder against the driveshaft.
- Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces between the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.

9. Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary Service and Repair.