Ball Joint, Lower

Ball Joint-Lower

Special Tools

Special Tool(s):

Removal and Installation

1. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.

2. Remove the disc brake caliper (2B120).
Remove two front disc brakes caliper bolts.
Lift the disc brake caliper off the front disc brake caliper anchor plate (2B292).
Position caliper aside.

3. Remove the pads and stainless steel slippers.






4. Remove the cotter pin and nut. Discard the cotter pin.






5. Using the special tool, disconnect the tie-rod end from the front wheel spindle (3105).






6. CAUTION: Do not remove the lower ball joint nut at this time. The nut will retain the lower ball joint into the wheel spindle, preventing the spring from flying out and causing personal injury or damage to the vehicle.

Disconnect the lower ball joint from the front wheel spindle.
Loosen the nut, leaving at lease three threads engaged in the ball joint.
Using a hammer, sharply rap on the front wheel spindle until the lower ball joint disconnects from the spindlendle






7. Place a suitable jack stand under the front suspension lower arm (3078). Lower the vehicle until the front suspension lower arm begins to move.

8. Remove the ABS sensor
Remove the bolt.
Remove the ABS sensor.






9. Remove the stabilizer bar link (5K484) from the front wheel spindle.
Remove the nut.
Remove the link.






10. NOTE: The lower control arm ball joint nut is coated with a dry adhesive and a new nut must be installed whenever the nut is loosened or removed.

Remove the lower ball joint nut. Discard the nut.

11. Remove the front wheel spindle.
Remove the pinch bolt and nut.
Raise the front suspension upper arm (3083).
Remove the front wheel spindle.






12. Remove the discard the ball joint dust boot.






13. Using the special tools, press the ball joint from the suspension lower arm (3078).






14. NOTE: When installing a new front suspension lower ball joint, the protective cover must be left in place during installation to protect the ball joint seal. It may be necessary to cut off the end of the cover to allow it to pass through the receiving cup.

To install, reverse the removal procedure.