Ball Joint

BALL JOINT





CAUTION: When installing a ball joint in its mounting hole in the lower control arm, position the ball joint so the notch (2) in the ball joint stud (1) is facing the lower control arm front isolator bushing (4). This will ease pinch bolt installation once the ball joint is installed to the knuckle.

1. By hand, position the ball joint into it's bore on the lower control arm from the bottom side. To avoid binding upon installation, be sure the ball joint is not cocked in the bore.




2. Position the Installer (4), Special Tool 6758, on a hydraulic press, cup end upward to support the lower control arm.
3. Place the control arm upside-down over top of the Installer, aligning the ball joint (3) stud squarely with the Installer's cup.
4. Place the larger end of the Adapter (1), Special Tool 6804, on top of the ball joint (3) as shown.
5. Lower the hydraulic press ram (2), pressing the ball joint into the lower control arm until the shoulder on the ball joint bottoms against the lower control arm ball joint bore. Do not apply excessive pressure against ball joint and lower control arm once the ball joint bottoms.
6. Remove the tools and arm from the hydraulic press.




CAUTION: When installing the sealing boot on the ball joint, position the upward lip on the outside perimeter of the seal boot (4) outward, away from the control arm once installed. It is there to help shield heat from the sealing boot.

7. Place a NEW ball joint seal boot (4) over the ball joint stud. The upward lip located on the outside perimeter of the seal boot must point outward away from the control arm once installed. Start the sealing boot over the sides of the ball joint by hand.
8. Position the Installer (1), Special Tool 6758, over the sealing boot outer diameter as shown.
9. By hand, apply pressure to the top of the Installer until the seal boot is pressed squarely down against the top surface of lower control arm (3).
10. Remove the tool.
11. If not already installed, install a standard zirc-type grease fitting in ball joint.

CAUTION: It is important to lubricate the ball joint before installation of the knuckle to allow proper venting when the seal is filled. If the ball joint is lubricated after installation to the knuckle, damage to the seal can occur.

12. Using a hand-operated pump grease gun, fill the ball joint seal boot with Mopar(R) Multi-Mileage Lube or equivalent until grease pushes out past the ball joint stem. Wipe off any overfill.
13. Remove the standard zirc-type grease fitting and reinstall the headless grease fitting from the original ball joint to prevent future lubricating. See the above Caution. Be sure to properly clean headless grease fitting prior to installation.
14. Install the lower control arm on the vehicle. Installation.